The US Coast Guard informed that it launched its ice breaking season on December 17, as winter’s cold temperatures are expected to affect every port, waterway, and harbor in the Northeast.
Operation Reliable Energy for Northeast Winters (OpRENEW) is USCG’s region-wide effort to make sure that Northeast communities have the security, supplies, energy, and emergency resources they need throughout the winter.
Of the heating oil used in the country, over 85% is consumed in the Northeast, and 90% of that is delivered on a US Coast Guard maintained waterway by ship.
The US Coast Guard’s domestic icebreaking operations aim to facilitate navigation within reasonable demands of commerce and limit waterways closures during the winter. It also aims to enable commercial vessels sail through ice-covered critical channels.
USCG crews are also replacing aids to navigation with special ice buoys designed to ride underneath ice and remain on location.
A coordinated effort with the maritime industry ensures the vital ports of the Northeast remain open year-round.
