U.S. Coast Guard getting ready for winter

CLEVELAND, Ohio — While whispers of snowfall may put many of us into winter preparation mode, one agency is already getting ready for winter.

The U.S. Coast Guard began Operation Fall Retrieve Wednesday. The operation involves the retrieval of over one thousand federal seasonal navigational aides throughout the Great Lakes region.

These lighted and unlighted buoys and beacons are replaced with smaller, lighter, and more buoyant buoys for the winter due to decreased traffic on the Great Lakes and adjacent waterways. Officials expect the task to be completed by December 28th.

[U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Steve Strohmaier]