DOROTHY ANN/PATHFINDER, Assisted by RISLEY, Depart Layup

SAMUEL RISLEY began icebreaking in Erie harbor on Saturday morning at 0700, and arrived in Presque Isle Bay by 0900 to break out the DOROTHY ANN/PATHFINDER in front of a large crowd of on-lookers. DOROTHY ANN entered the drydock at around 0930, and emerged at around 1100 with the newly-painted barge PATHFINDER. The duo departed under escort of SAMUEL RISLEY and USCGC NEAH BAY bound for Cleveland. On Saturday the duo got as far as Conneaut before stopping for the night in the ice. Sunday icebreaking operations began at dawn and by nightfall the trio had arrived at Cleveland piers.

U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards have an agreement in place to work in each other's harbors breaking ice where necessary, for those asking why a Canadian icebreaker did this work, instead of an American. It's a common practice and this icebreaking work here cost the Canadian taxpayers money, with no cost to the U.S. taxpayer. As RISLEY was the most powerful breaker nearby, RISLEY was tasked for the work.

DOROTHY ANN/PATHFINDER will spend the first several weeks of her season shuttling ore up the Cuyahoga River to the ArcelorMittal steel mill.

ROGER BLOUGH should depart Thursday, with PRESQUE ISLE following on Friday.

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SAMUEL RISLEY inbound on Saturday morning.


Passing the lighthouse and entering the mostly ice-free channel.


Stern view.


Breaking ice in the harbor.


Another view.


Turning.


SAMUEL RISLEY is the most powerful Canadian icebreaker on the Great Lakes.


DOROTHY ANN backs away from the north face of Donjon.


Another view of the big articulated tug.


Approaching the drydock.


Entering the notch of the PATHFINDER.


RISLEY heads out of the harbor. RISLEY would meet up with the DOROTHY ANN/PATHFINDER outside of the harbor.


Another view.


DOROTHY ANN/PATHFINDER begin backing out of drydock.


In the channel.


Another view.


Stern view.


Outbound.


Next stop: Cleveland to load iron ore.