BATH — Several United States Coast Guard cutters will head up the Kenneber River on Tuesday, marking the start of a three-day-long operation aimed at removing ice from the river between Bath and Gardiner.

The public is being advised to remove their ice fishing shacks as soon as possible before the Coast Guard’s annual ice breaking effort begins.

The Coast Guard will break and flush ice from Merrymeeting Bay to Gardiner to reduce the risk of ice jamming and flooding as inland snow and river ice begin to melt and flow out to sea.

The 65-foot Portland-based cutter Shackle, the 65-foot Rockland-based cutter Tackle, and the 65-foot Southwest Harbor-based cutter Bridle will participate in the ice breaking operation.

“The Spring break out is a sign that Spring is approaching and despite decreased ice coverage and thickness this year compared to recent years, there is still a need for our crews to perform this critical and dynamic mission,” Capt. Christopher Roberge, commander of Coast Guard Sector Northern New England, said in a prepared statement.