Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette USCGC HOLLYHOCK (WLB-214), a 225- foot-long Seagoing Buoy Tender approaches the Portage Lake Bridge Thursday afternoon.

HOUGHTON — The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Hollyhock (WLB-214), was on its way from Sault Ste. Marie to the North Entry of the Keweenaw Waterway Thursday afternoon, as it carries out the task of removing buoys and lane markers before the arrival of winter.

The Hollyhock, a 225-foot long Seagoing Buoy Tender, has its home at the U.S.C.G. station in downstate Port Huron, but is operating in the Upper Great Lake this fall while Lake Superior awaits the cutter Spar, which will arrive sometime in early 2022. The Alder will replace the cutter Alder, which departed for the West Coast earlier this year.