Coast Guard ice breaking Cutters make progress on the Connecticut River
by Coast Guard PA Detachment New York News 21 Jan 2018 22:38 PST
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bollard, a 65-foot Small Harbor Tug, transits on the ice-covered Connecticut River near Essex, Connecticut, Jan. 18, 2018 © Petty Officer 3rd Class Frank Iannazzo-Simmons
Coast Guard cutters continue to steadily break ice jams in the Connecticut River to prevent flooding and help the broken ice drift down river and out to Long Island Sound, Friday.
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Bollard has been working continuously to break the ice since Tuesday, allowing the outgoing current to carry the ice down river. The crew of the cutter Hawser joined the Bollard Thursday to assist in ice breaking efforts.
The two 65-foot Harbor Tugs have been working together in the vicinity of Essex, Connecticut since Thursday, creating a downstream pressure relief in the ice opening a space approximately 500 yards wide. This opening allows upstream ice to flow out to open water.
"We have two Coast Guard ice breaking cutters on the Connecticut River working very hard to combat the challenging ice jams in an effort to relieve possible flooding conditions," said Capt. Andrew Tucci, commander Sector Long Island Sound. "We are working with our partner agencies and local emergency management departments to ensure the best possible outcome for those affected. We will continue our efforts to try and relieve the jams, and are continually assessing the on-going situation as it occurs."
The ice-breaking efforts are in support of Operation Reliable Energy for Northeast Winters (RENEW), the Coast Guard's region-wide effort to ensure Northeast communities have the security, supplies, energy, and emergency resources they need throughout the winter.
The Coast Guard Cutter Bollard is homeported in New Haven, Connecticut and the Coast Guard Cutter Hawser is homeported in Bayonne, New Jersey.
Questions regarding Coast Guard ice breaking operations should be directed to Chief Warrant Officer Emmanuel Zambrana, Sector Long Island Sound Aids to Navigation Officer at (203) 468-4454.