The US Coast Guard cutter Alder, just before she departed her dock on March 8, 2010 to take a first look at ice conditions. They report ice up to 20 inches thick, 
better than last year, and the warm weather suggests it could end up being very much better than last year. They will go out again on Wednesday, as originally planned and may not be out again until just before the first boat moves in the harbor, probably the James R. Barker leaving with coal for a Lake Superior Port, maybe on the 19th.
The Alder makes her first appearance of the season
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the update. My 2 year old likes to watch the webcam at least once a day and he has been waiting for the Alder to appear. You do a great job keeping people informed who aren’t so lucky to live in Duluth.
Were getting Cloooooser to the start of the shipping season. What a neat sight to see the Adler venturing out.
Can’t wait Won’t be long.
Paul
Galveston Island, Tx
Two of the sure signs of spring. Snow melting and the start of the Duluth, Superior shipping season. Thank you for all the great info.
I can’t access Twitter from the computer I use. Will the shipping updates be available off this page as well? Thanks. I can’t wait for the season to start!!!
Hey Ken, Paul, and everybody! Not long now until the action starts. I believe we had 72 degrees down here yesterday, so that means y’all should start thawing out a bit. Ken, your new blog looks nice. It’s been fun watching you decide how you want it to look these past couple of weeks. Stay warm up there!
Jill
Mountain Brook, Alabama
Having a hard time figuring out where the shipping schedule is — we want to make a Duluth trip and the shipping schedule defines our trip schedule. Not used to Twitter — how do we find it?
Annette; You can find the schedule here:
http://www.duluthboats.com/
How do we find the shipping schedule? I liked your old webpage. The new one is not viewer friendly.
To schedule watchers, i put a link to the vessel schedule at the top of this page; it will take you from here to:
http://www.duluthboats.com/
Ken
Thanks for your valuable and important information on sites and keep updating it.
The picture of US Coast Gaurd Cutter you had put on the blog was nice.
I’ve only seen one ‘bouy-tender’ in operation…and that was 30+ years ago. I am ‘ex’ USCG, stationed at COTP, NY back in 1973-76. WE had a bouy-tender there…but more of the ‘larger’ ships (210′ and 378′ cutters). Would have loved to see an bouy-tender or a true ice-breaker (Polar Star class) in operation—just once. Amazing ships!!! My old ship (CGC DALLAS/WHEC716) never ceased to amaze me with what she could do. I miss the sea time…but went on to bigger/far better things w/i the Coast Guard.