Erie Team Coast Guardsmen from Aids to Navigation Team Detroit prepare to place Middle Harbor Shoal Lighted Buoy 1 into Lake Erie, April 19, 2012. The team removes roughly 150 buoys from Lake Erie each fall to minimize damage caused by freezing. Coast Guardsmen replace most of the buoys with more durable winter markers, and switch them back in the spring during Operation Spring Restore. SHARE IMAGE: Download Image: Full Size (2.03 MB) Tags: buoy, Coast Guard Photo By: Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Lauren Jorgensen VIRIN: 120419-G-JG957-044.JPG Photo Gallery