The Straits of Mackinac have completely frozen over, except for a shipping channel, said Misty Martinchek, group sales manager for Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry.
The Coast Guard Cutter Katmai Bay powers through the ice-covered St. Marys River in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., 20 Mar 2014. (Courtesy Photo/U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Levi Read)
All local ferries have been affected by the ice said Martinchek, in her announcement that the company’s 2014 season will start later than anticipated.
Nobody at Shepler’s can remember a ferry season ever being delayed due to ice, said Martinchek.
Despite having nine ice-breakers working each day to alleviate the ice, the U.S. Coast Guard ice-breaking crews remain about three weeks behind schedule due to the lingering ice, which includes chunks larger than eight feet.
Ice-breaking is expected to continue well into May, according to Mark Gill, director of vessel traffic service for the Coast Guard in Sault St. Marie.
At least 50 percent of the Great Lakes remains frozen over — the average for this time of year is less than 10 percent, according to the Canadian Ice Service.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2014/04/mackinac_island_ferries_alter.html