U.S. Coast Guard SPAR reaches tail end of ice breaking season

DULUTH, Minn.– With Minnesota experiencing a seemingly normal winter season this year, it’s been a busy stretch of time for the members aboard the SPAR.

“We started to hear what how much trouble boats were having coming in and out of Duluth and the Great Lakes district, our Coast Guard headquarters had us turn around and get right back up here,” said Lt. Cmdr. Don Rudnickas, ice pilot and analyst, USCG SPAR.

However, Lt. Cmdr. Rudnickas said it’s nothing they haven’t seen before.

“We had an earlier onset of ice than we have in the last few years. So, the ice started forming in Duluth right at the end of November, and really became a hazard for navigation, or challenge for navigation,” said Lt. Cmdr. Rudnickas.

The captain said, they’ve been working in Duluth since December 10th.

And besides actually cutting the ice itself, the crew has no trouble staying busy.

“We track traffic constantly. We try to get out ahead of them to make sure that the harbor is in a good in a good condition for them to arrive,” said Lt. Cmdr. Rudnickas.

And no matter what they’re doing, the captain told FOX 21 their annual mission in Duluth is something they love.

“We’ve got great relationships with our port partners here in town, both on land and the other vessels that operate, tug Missouri, tug North Carolina, tug Helen, we work with those guys so closely.  said Rudnickas. “Everybody who who’s on the ice and on the water around here is really important to us. Our crew feels very attached to this area; this is our home.”