Yeah, the ice conditions are technically better than last year, but that doesn't make the ice any softer. 8 feet is better than 20 feet but ice remains one of the hardest substances on this planet; impact forces between steel and it can approach that required to cause FISSION in plutonium
Another boat is already in the yard up in Duluth getting repaired from it's first trip up. The backlog in convoy is getting longer, but at least once they do go, will be likely able to keep going. Boatnerd News
AIS Ship Tracking
Photos from ice pack at bottom