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U.S. Coast Guard closes regulated navigation areas for winter

Grays Reef Passage, South Channel closed to vessels now that ice has settled in
SooLeader Staff
2018-01-13USCGC Mackinaw-04
The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw works to break free and directly assist the motor vessel Burns Harbor Jan. 12, 2018 in Whitefish Bay and the St. Marys River in this file photo U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. j.g. Sean Murphy

The U.S. Coast Guard says it is closing two regulated navigation areas now that winter ice has set in.

In separate news releases, the Coast Guard said that the Captain of the Port Northern Great Lakes will close Grays Reef Passage, effective Jan. 20 at 3 p.m.

Grays Reef Passage is located south of the Straits of Mackinac near White Shoal Light on Lake Michigan.

The waters between Cheboygan and Bois Blanc Island known as South Channel, will also close at that time, the Coast Guard said.

The closures mean no vessel may navigate in these regulated navigation areas during this time.

Meanwhile, the Coast Guard urged recreational ice users to plan their activity carefully, use caution on the ice, and stay away from shipping channels.

For more information, contact the U.S. Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service at 906-635-3299 or via email at [email protected].