Coast Guard to break ice along Penobscot, Connecticut, and Hudson Rivers in support of Operation RENEW

IMMEDIATE OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE: The Coast Guard Cutters Bridle, Shackle, and Tackle, are scheduled to break ice along the Bangor, Maine, waterfront on the Penobscot River, Thursday, at 26 Front Street, Bangor, Maine. News media must RSVP with D1PublicAffairs@uscg.mil if interested in getting underway for icebreaking operations. 

Future Opportunities: Please contact the First District Public Affairs Office at D1PublicAffairs@uscg.mil or for the New York area at PADETNY@uscg.mil to RSVP for future opportunities. 

BOSTON — The Coast Guard ice breaking season is underway as winter’s cold temperatures are impacting ports, waterways, and harbors in the Northeast. 

Operation Reliable Energy for Northeast Winters (RENEW) is the Coast Guard's region-wide effort to ensure Northeast communities have the security, supplies, energy, and emergency resources they need throughout the winter. 

Of the heating oil used in the country, more than 85 percent is consumed in the Northeast, and 90 percent of that is delivered on a Coast Guard maintained waterway by ship. 

The Coast Guard's domestic icebreaking operations are intended to facilitate navigation within reasonable demands of commerce and minimize waterways closures during the winter, while enabling commercial vessels to transit through ice-covered critical channels. 

Coast Guard 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.  

COVID-19: The following safety protocols must be followed by all personnel who intend to come aboard any unit for icebreaking:

• Masks must be worn throughout the event by all attendees
• Visitors must provide a negative COVID-19 test that is less than 48 hours old (at home test/rapid test/PCR test)
• Visitors must also provide proof of full vaccination status