The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Hawser crew conducts operations in New York City to support safe navigation during winter weather conditions, February 3, 2026. Hawser, a 65-foot harbor tug homeported in Bayonne, New Jersey, is designed with a reinforced hull to conduct icebreaking operations and keep vital waterways open throughout the Sector New York area of responsibility. (U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sydney Phoenix)
In accordance with federal waterway regulation 33 CFR 165.901, the Captain of the Port, Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan is scheduled to close the waters of southern Green Bay to commercial vessel traffic starting at noon on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.
The Coast Guard is set to activate a Great Lakes Regulated Navigation Area;
specifically, a safety zone in the Lake Erie Islands, Ohio, at 8 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
Coast Guard Cutter Mobile Bay (WTGB 103) will be continuing ice-
breaking operations to clear a path for commercial vessels in Green Bay and Sturgeon Bay as ice
continues to form on Lake Michigan.
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. β In accordance with 33 CFR 162.117, Vessel Traffic Service St. Marys River is scheduled to close the Pipe Island Passage, east of Pipe Island Shoal and north of Pipe Island Twins from Watson Reef Light to Sweets Point, on Jan. 22, 2026 at 10 a.m.
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. β Per 33 CFR 165.901, Captain of the Port Northern Great Lakes will close the waters separating Mackinac Island and St. Ignace, Michigan, on Jan. 20, 2026 at 1 p.m.
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. β Per 33 CFR 165.901, Captain of the Port Northern Great Lakes is scheduled to close Grays Reef Passage, on Lake Michigan, effective on Thursday at 4 p.m.
