U.S. Coast Guard Wraps Up Ice Cutting in Duluth Harbor

DULUTH, Minn.– 48 Coast Guard members boarded the SPAR in Duluth Tuesday.  The 235-foot buoy-tender vessel is able to slice through the 15 ft. deep ice like butter.

This eventful adventure began right here in the Twin Ports, and it was managed by Lieutenant Commander Don Rudnickas.

“We’re underway in Duluth Harbor. Our main job here is to make sure the ice is manageable to a point where all the vessels that wintered over here are able to safely get underway and get commerce flowing again in the Great Lakes again for the spring,” explained Lt. Cmdr. Don Rudnickas.

The ice maintenance spans several weeks, and today they’re wrapping up in the Twin Ports.

The crew works hand in hand with the weather. It plays a large role with helping clear the ice.

To make it all happen, each crew member has their own role.

“I’m learning how to conn the ship. Basically, giving commands on the bridge and doing the actual commands for driving of the ship. And that’s most of it. I have much other collateral duties but most of my job while we’re underway is learning how to drive the ship,” said ESN Shea Curran, Deck Watch Officer.  “It’s terrifying at first, I have to say. But once you get into it, and once you learn how the ship moves it’s actually super cool. I mean, you can’t really describe the feeling. You’re driving thousands of pounds of metal and there’s nothing in between you and hitting stuff.”

For this mission, friends and family were invited to watch the process.

And that opportunity means a lot for those who are serving.

“This is why the Coast Guard is so great. Is that we get this interaction with the populus all day long. These mariners in the great lakes, our local area community here in Duluth. It’s just great, and so fun. And such an honor to be a part of all of this,” said Lt. Cmdr. Rudnickas.

“I’m just glad I get the opportunity to do this every day. Captain says it all the time, but he goes ‘This is our job. Like that is so cool that this is our job.’ And I have to agree with him there,” beamed ESN Curran.

After today’s mission, the Coast Guard will set sail over to Whitefish Bay. Where they’ll have their work cut out for them.