Stewart J. Cort Stuck in St. Marys River Ice; Traffic Halted

The Stewart J. Cort remains hove to in pack ice near the Stribling Point turn in the St. Marys River, unable to complete her upbound passage for a second consecutive day despite icebreaker assistance. The 730-foot self-unloader got stuck Tuesday evening and, as of 8:30 p.m., showed no signs of breaking through the plate ice jammed behind Neebish Island. The USCG Mobile Bay is similarly stalled alongside her, both vessels waiting for conditions to improve by morning. Until the Cort moves, all upbound traffic is locked solid — a backup that includes the James R. Barker, Algoma Guardian, Wilfred Sykes, the saltwater vessel Belzitza bound for Sault Ste. Marie's Export Dock, and tug Victor. Ice conditions in the East Neebish Channel have been the story of the early navigation season. Monday's traffic was steady, but icebreakers Federal Nagara and Mackinaw were required throughout, especially at the Stribling and Johnson's Point turns. By late afternoon, Soo Traffic had to close the river above the locks between Light 26 and Whitefish Point after a northwest wind shift moved massive slabs of plate ice into the channel. The shortest winter closure in history — just 69 days, from Jan. 12 to March 22 — meant an unusually early and aggressive spring thaw, but residual ice is proving stubborn. Water levels across the system remain favorable for the season ahead. Lake Erie sits 2.41 feet above Low Water Datum, and Lake Ontario is running 2.61 feet above, offering good draft conditions. Lake Superior, Michigan, and Huron are holding near 0.91 to 1.21 feet above datum. Gale warnings remain in effect across Lakes Superior and Michigan through tonight, with northwesterly winds shifting ice and delaying smaller movements. At Port Gypsum in Tawas, the Calumet tied up Monday morning after marking the season's first gypsum dock arrival. With tug Kimberly Joy fresh from Cheboygan to set channel buoys, the loading operation began right on schedule — a bright spot amid the ice delays upriver.