Icebreaker expected to arrive in Southern Georgian Bay

The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Griffon is pictured in this undated photo. (Supplied)

The Canadian Coast Guard is advising residents in Midland that an icebreaker ship will be arriving in the Georgian Bay area this week to carry out icebreaking operations.

In a news release this past Friday, the Canadian Coast Guard stated that the CCGS Griffon will be working to break up the ice in the area on or around Tuesday.

Pedestrians, fishers, snowmobilers, all-terrain vehicle operators and all other ice traffic are urged to leave the ice during icebreaking operations. The Coast Guard states that the ice may move, creating danger for anyone on it.

Extreme caution is advised once the operations are complete, as the ice could remain unstable even once the icebreaker has left the area.

According to the Coast Guard, the purpose of icebreaking is to allow for scheduled commercial vessels to move safely and efficiently through shipping channels, as well as in and out of community harbours.

The Coast Guard adds that dates and assets of icebreaking operations are subject to change dependent on operation requirements and weather.

According to VesselFinder, the CCGS Griffon was travelling southwest through Lake Erie Sunday afternoon.