James R. Barker Next Up at Neebish; Ice Continues to Delay Traffic

UPDATE, 1:50 p.m. APRIL 9: WIlfred Sykes gave up on waiting to go upbound and has departed the river for Calcite, MI. James R. Barker is slowly making her way through the East Neebish Channel.

UPDATE, NOON APRIL 9: Cutters Neah Bay and Judy LaMarsh are working to get the upbound James R. Barker through the ice-clogged turns in the East Neebish Channel. There are eight vessels upbound that will not be able to move until the Barker makes it through, some of which have been stopped above DeTour for three or more days. Mark W. Barker, headed for Superior, will be the next to check in, arriving later today. Downbound traffic has been moving, although ice is still a problem below the Rock Cut, especially at the Moon Island turn. Algoma Sault will be next to make the passage.

Listen to Boatnerd’s live Soo scanner here: https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/40798

ORIGINAL REPORT: Stewart J. Cort finally made her way through the ice in the late Wednesday afternoon and locked through in the evening. James R. Barker stopped for the night at the lower end of Neebish Island.  Downbound Mesabi Miner made it through the Rock Cuit and ice below and was headed out of the system. CSL Laurentian and Algoma Sault are stopped in the Nine Mile Anchorage. There are now six upbound vessels stopped in the Pot Bay anchorage above DeTour. Most traffic has stopped for the night, although Presque Isle was coming downbound above the locks.