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Ontario Government Limits Diver Access to Storied Shipwrecks Divers wishing to explore the legendary Edmund Fitzgerald and two other Great Lakes shipwrecks in Canadian waters will need a license from the Ontario Ministry of Culture under a newly approved regulation. The rule also limits access to the Hamilton and the Scourge, merchant schooners that sank in Lake Ontario during the War of 1812. "The sites we have chosen for special protection are unique," Culture Minister Madeleine Meilleur said in a news release. "We want to ensure that these fragile underwater sites -- all of which contain human remains -- are treated with care and respect." The regulation was imposed under the Ontario Heritage Act, which was revised last year to toughen penalties for looting or intentionally damaging marine archaeological sites, including heritage shipwrecks. The Fitzgerald, a 729-foot iron ore carrier, sank in Lake Superior during a fierce storm Nov. 10, 1975. All 29 crewmen died, and their bodies were not recovered. Fifty-three of the 72 crewmen aboard the Hamilton and Scourge were killed when the ships went down in August 1813 north of Port Dalhousie. Their gravesite, 300 feet deep, was discovered in 1975 and explored separately by Jacques Cousteau and the National Geographic Society. Several groups have used mini-submarines and robotic cameras to inspect the Fitzgerald wreckage, located 530 feet below the surface about 17 miles northwest of Whitefish Point. The ship, broken in two, lies just across the international border on the Canadian side. During a privately financed 1994 expedition, leader Fred Shannon of Mount Morris announced his team had discovered and photographed a body on the lake bottom near the pilot house. The partly decomposed remains could not be identified. But Shannon angered some relatives of Fitzgerald crew members by using brief images of the remains in a documentary video. They urged Canadian officials to declare the wreck site off-limits to future explorations. "We've always contended that this is the men's gravesite," Cheryl Rozman, daughter of Fitzgerald watchman Ransom "Ray" Cundy, said Monday. "It gives us family members peace of mind to know that the site will be protected from unauthorized visits." She and other relatives backed the Michigan Legislature's enactment in 1997 of a law making it a felony to photograph human remains on Great Lakes bottomlands without consent of the victim's next of kin. In 1999, family and friends of the crew held a consecration service aboard a Coast Guard cutter at the spot where the ship went down. Doing so, they said, created a moral obligation to treat the site with the same respect as a cemetery. The Ministry of Culture statement did not say what criteria would be used to evaluate requests for licenses to explore the shipwrecks. Rozman said an official had assured her that approval wouldn't come easily, and qualifying would be expensive. "They told me you'd have to have real good reasons to do that -- archaeological or scientific," she said. From the Associated Press |
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Upgrades Made to Ore Dock 1/31 - Marquette, MI - Work crews are busy making upgrades to the Lake Superior and Ishpeming ore dock in Marquette's Upper Harbor that will make the dock safer and more efficient. The two-phase project entails making it easier for workers to open iron ore chutes. According to Cleveland Cliffs officials, contractors are automating the doors on the south side of the dock this year. The north side is scheduled for completion in 2007. Currently, workers have to kick rods to engage a mechanical system that lowers the chutes. The new system is designed to take fewer people to unload ore from the dock and will make the LS&I facility "conducive to less accidents," officials said. |
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Rochester Ferry Terminal Still Tied Up 1/31 - Rochester, NY - In the knot of ferry-related contracts that Mayor Robert Duffy now wants to unravel, one pact may have more lasting implications than all the others. That is the deal that ceded control of Rochester's gleaming ferry terminal — until May 31, 2044 — to the failed ferry operators themselves. A legal concession by city officials two years ago, which went unnoticed at the time but stirred controversy later, allowed the operators to retain their lease on the city-owned terminal's commercial space even after they pulled the plug on the Toronto-Rochester ferry less than three months after service began. Their company, Maplestar Development, pays the city just $1 per year and keeps all the rent it collects from the terminal's restaurants and shops. It also may have some claim on adjacent berthing areas where visiting vessels can tie up. Now that Duffy has canceled the struggling ferry project altogether and has begun looking toward new development at the Charlotte port, the long-term lease has become problematic. "We need to aggressively look at whether we can get control of that space again. I think it's important," said City Council President Lois Giess. "We really need to have that space to develop the harbor town that we want. That's obviously critical if we're going to start getting cruise ships come in or some alternative (ferry) service." The existence of the lease also could prove embarrassing in light of the disclosure last week that the business dealings of the ferry operators could be the subject of criminal investigations by federal and state authorities. The principals behind Maplestar and Canadian American Transportation Systems, the sister company that ran the ferry, are businessmen and local natives Brian F. Prince and Dominick DeLucia, former city officials say. Both Mayor Duffy and his corporation counsel, Thomas Richards, have said they went to break or buy out the Maplestar lease. A spokesman said last week that the city will concentrate first on selling the ferry, which the city acquired after CATS halted the service in September 2004. "It (the lease) is on our mind. We know it's there. We're going to get to it. Clearly, that is not one of our priority areas at this time," Duffy spokesman Gary Walker said Wednesday. Walker declined to discuss the lease in any detail. When the city and CATS came to terms in 2002 on the planned ferry operation, the city agreed to lease the terminal to the company for 40 years at $1 a year. The lease included control of both the interior commercial space and the exterior berths along the Genesee River shoreline. After being explicitly assured that the lease would be voided if CATS failed to operate the ferry as planned, City Council approved the lease in August 2001, along with other elements of the ferry project. The lease was signed the following month. In December 2003, with construction of the vessel nearly completed and work well under way on the $19 million terminal, CATS subleased the premises to its sister company Maplestar, a maneuver allowed under the lease agreement. And two months after that, Mayor William A. Johnson Jr. signed a "non-disturbance" agreement guaranteeing that Maplestar would retain control of the terminal space until 2044 even if CATS dropped the ferry project. CATS, of course, did just that, halting ferry service in September 2004 after less than three months of operation. The firm later defaulted on loan payments, and the Johnson administration ended up purchasing the vessel at a foreclosure auction in early 2005. In the meantime, Maplestar continues to control the terminal space leased to restaurants and shops. The city controls the public space at the terminal and exterior areas, including the berth where the ferry currently is tied up. Kingsley said the city had informed Maplestar that it believed it had control over all the berths along the Genesee River shoreline by the terminal where vessels can tie up, though she said Maplestar "kept indicating to us in writing they didn't agree." The issue "never came to a head," she noted. Several of the remaining tenants at the terminal spoke positively about the company's performance as landlord. "Maplestar, in my eyes, has done everything they could to help us. They would bend over backwards for us," said Bill Briggs, co-owner of Lakeside Floral and Antique Gallery. "We don't have a problem with them. Everything has been fine," said Mike Bauer, owner of the Cheeburger restaurant in the terminal. Several business owners, including Briggs, said Maplestar has reduced their rent in the slow winter months. Only three of the seven surviving retail businesses in the terminal are open. The other four, including the Cheeburger franchise and Lakeside Floral, plan to reopen in March. From the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle |
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Boatnerd Calendar of Events The Boatnerd Calendar of Events has been started for 2006. If your organization would like to be listed, please use the handy form available on the Calendar of Events page. Click on the icon in the upper right corner, or send the information to news@boatnerd.net |
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Port Report - January 31 Goderich - Dale Baecher |
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Photo Gallery Updates - January 31 News Photo Gallery updatedPublic Photo Gallery updated 2006 Lay-up List updated. |
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Today in Great Lakes History - January 31 MANZZUTTI was launched January 31, 1903, as a.) J S KEEFE (Hull#203) at Buffalo, New York by the Buffalo Dry Dock Co. January 31, 1930 - While the Grand Trunk carferry MADISON was leading the way across Lake Michigan to Grand Haven, she was struck from behind by her sister ship GRAND RAPIDS. Data from: Max Hanley, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history. |
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Port Report - January 30 Milwaukee - John N. Vogel |
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Photo Gallery Updates - January 30 News Photo Gallery updatedPublic Photo Gallery updated 2006 Lay-up List updated. |
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Today in Great Lakes History - January 30 ELMDALE was launched in 1909, as a.) CLIFFORD F MOLL (Hull#56) at Ecorse, Michigan by the Great Lakes Engineering Works. The CHIEF WAWATAM was held up in the ice for a period of three weeks. On January 30, 1927, she went aground at North Graham Shoal in the Straits. She was later dry-docked at Great Lakes Engineering Works in Detroit where her forward propeller and after port wheel were replaced. January 30, 1911 - The second PERE MARQUETTE 18 arrived Ludington, Michigan on her maiden voyage. On 30 January 1881, ST ALBANS (wooden propeller passenger/package freight vessel, 135 foot, 435 tons, built in 1869, at Cleveland, Ohio) was carrying general merchandise, flour, cattle and 22 passengers in Lake Michigan. She rammed a cake of ice that filled the hole it made in her hull. She rushed for shore, but as the ice melted, the vessel filled with water. She sank 8 miles from Milwaukee. The crew and passengers made it to safety in the lifeboats. Her loss was valued at $35,000. On 30 January 2000, crew began the removal of the four Hulett Ore Unloaders on Whiskey Island in Cleveland. Data from: Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history. |
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Marquette's Ore Dock Eyed for Development 1/29 - Marquette, MI - Businessman Gary Kropp, a Marquette native
and current Milwaukee resident has proposed a unique blend of public and
private space, for Marquette's Lower Harbor Ore Dock, while keeping it mostly
in tact. The public access portion of the plan includes a 12 foot walkway around the perimeter of the dock, and two open areas at both ends. The end closer to shore will be available for wedding receptions, and other large gatherings. Inside, around 40 condos will be available...all with North and South exposures. "And how do we pay? It takes a lot of money for the development of the walkway and to pay for the public interior space. And the way to pay for that is by selling condominiums," said Kropp. Plus, other funding Kropp is trying to secure. But for now, the main objective is to get the public on board with his vision. "I think the people can see how this can be a good asset for the city and a wonderful place to spend time in the summer." The city planning commission voted to send the matter to the Marquette City Commission for approval in September. The city has scheduled a public hearing scheduled or seven o'clock on Monday night. Reported by Mike Arendt from WLUG TV6 in Marquette |
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Port Reports - January 29 Goderich - Dale Baechler Sturgeon Bay - Wendell Wilke Buffalo - Brian Wroblewski Specialty cargoes from overseas included shipments of press equipment for the Ford Buffalo Stamping Plant from Brazil and Germany. Improvements at the Lackawanna Slip unloading apron involved the installation of flood light towers for 24 hour a day operations along with a new rail car unloader. Future development possibilities may include enclosed bulk storage facilities dependant on the port securing long term contracts within the next few years. Milwaukee - John N. Vogel |
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Photo Gallery Updates - January 29 News Photo Gallery updatedPublic Photo Gallery updated 2006 Lay-up List updated. |
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Today in Great Lakes History - January 29 The BUCKEYE was launched January 29, 1910, as the straight decker a.) LEONARD B MILLER (Hull#447) at Cleveland, Ohio by the American Ship Building Co. JOHN P. REISS (Hull#377) was also launched this date in 1910, at Lorain, Ohio by American Ship Building Co. January 29, 1987 - The BADGER almost capsized at her dock due to a broken water intake pipe. On 29 January 1953, RICHARD M MARSHALL (steel propeller freighter, 643 foot, 10,606 gross tons) was launched in Bay City, Michigan at Defoe's shipyard (Hull #424). Later she was named JOSEPH S WOOD (1957), JOHN DYKSTRA (1966), and BENSON FORD (1983). She was scrapped in 1987 at Recife, Brazil. Data from: Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history. |
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Port Reports - January 28 Escanaba - Lee Rowe Escanaba - Lee Rowe The Biscayne Bay made a stop in Escanaba, but had little ice to break. What ice was there was very thin and unstable. Fishing shanties were plentiful in the bays around Gladstone, however. |
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Photo Gallery Updates - January 28 News Photo Gallery updatedPublic Photo Gallery updated 2006 Lay-up List updated. |
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Mittal Bids for No. 2 Steel Maker 1/27 - Mittal Steel Co., the biggest steelmaker in the world and owner of the former LTV properties in Cleveland, has made a $23 billion bid to buy the No. 2 firm in its industry. Mittal wants to take over Arcelor SA, which is based in France. Arcelor itself just won a bidding war for a big Canadian steel firm, Dofasco. Mittal said its plans included selling Dofasco to the company that lost that fight, ThyssenKrupp AG of Germany. Mittal is based in the Netherlands, but its India-born CEO, Lakshmi Mittal, lives in London. It owns part or all of steel operations in 16 countries. That alone sums up the increasingly international spread of the biggest steel makers. Mittal News Release |
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Soo International Bridge Walk Scheduled for June 24 This once a year opportunity to walk across the Soo International Bridge will be gathering at LSSU's Norris Center at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 24. The walk has been scheduled one week before Engineer's Day to avoid conflict with the Canadian Holiday on July 1. In previous years, the Bridge Walk has been the day after Engineer's Day. The 2006 Engineer's Day is scheduled for June 30. Don't miss this experience to walk across the International Bridge into Canada. Buses will be on hand to bring people back to the Norris Center at a charge of $1.00 per person or $5.00 per family. For more information contact the Sault Chamber of Commerce at (906)632-3301. |
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Port Report - January 27 Goderich - Dale Baechler Canadian Progress made her way into port Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. The outer harbour and channel are now covered with light ice that had blown in yesterday with the northwesterly winds. She is now loading at Sifto. Thursday afternoon saw Peter R. Cresswell shifting over to the elevator dock with her bow high out of the water and her stern deep, after only loading enough cargo to get the boat to this draught. Obviously a problem has occurred and some work is under way, but is unknown at this time. Port Huron - Frank Frisk |
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Photo Gallery Updates - January 27 News Photo Gallery updatedPublic Photo Gallery updated 2006 Lay-up List updated. |
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Wind Puts Washington Island Ferry in Rough Seas 1/26 - The strong wind that blew across Door County late Tuesday afternoon made for a challenging day on Lake Michigan. Wind gusts estimated at 50 miles per hour blowing between the peninsula and Washington Island made the journey tricky for the captains of the Washington Island Ferry. In the winter, the ferry makes two daily round trips, depending on the weather. Tuesday it was almost only a trip-and-a-half. "The wind is just starting to pick up now. It's probably blowing 35 to 40, so we're going to get home before that sea builds up," said Erik Foss, Washington Island Ferry Line captain. Foss says when the winds pick up, docking and then pulling out are big problems. "Right now it will be getting away from the dock. The wind is going to affect us, it's going to want to keep us close to the dock. We have to back away and clear the wind out there. It will be a challenge." Once out of the dock and out on the open water, the wind-chopped waves, not the wind itself, can cause chaos. "You have to watch the waves this time of year, especially when the waves break over the bow. They freeze on deck and you have a big skating rink," Foss said. From WBAY-TV Green Bay. |
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Law Limiting Rochester Ferry Confirmed 1/26 - Rochester, NY - The pool of potential buyers for the high-speed ferry is shallower than initially thought, as officials confirmed Tuesday that maritime law prohibits the ship from ever traversing between two U.S. ports. Federal law requires that ships doing business between U.S. ports be American-made and -flagged. The ferry is neither, having been built in Australia and still sailing under the Bahamian flag. "That's the problem," said John Woods, a maritime lawyer in New York City who sits on the Maritime Law Association board. "They've got to find a buyer that will take it out of the U.S." — or another operator that will sail to Canada, he added. Bay Ferries Great Lakes LLC, which managed the ship, operates two such international routes between Maine and Nova Scotia. The legal snag is potentially significant in determining how much taxpayers ultimately will owe on the failed ferry venture. Mayor Robert Duffy this month decided to end the Rochester-to-Toronto service and sell the ship, then start repaying more than $40 million in debt. Corporation Counsel Thomas Richards has said the expectation is the ship would leave the Great Lakes, and the best scenario is to attract serious interest from two or more buyers. "The real issue is how much we get for the ferry, and how fast we sell it. That trumps everything," Richards said Tuesday. Minutes earlier, the ferry board voted to borrow up to $9.4 million from city insurance reserves for shut-down expenses. That money will be repaid once the ship is sold with the rest going toward debt. Separate sections of federal code dealing with passenger and commercial traffic combine to limit the ship's value in the U.S. market, said Kevin Corsaro, spokesman for the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection. Richards said he was just beginning to understand maritime applications of the law but added it's too early to say who might be a serious buyer. City and state officials had mentioned the New York harbor as a possible home for the ship. Duffy has said a liaison for a group of Turkish investors also has contacted the city. Richards said the city will decide in the next couple of weeks whether to hire a broker to sell the ship. From the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle |
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Port Huron Marine Mart Announced The annual Port Huron Marine Memorabilia Flea Market will be held at the Seaway Terminal on June 3, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Vendors will be offering artifacts, pictures, books, postcards and marine art. The event is sponsored by the Port Huron Museum, Acheson Ventures and Lake Huron Lore Marine Society. For additional information contact T. J. Gaffney at 810-982-0891, ext. 16 or tjgaffney@phmuseum.org. |
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Photo Gallery Updates - January 26 News Photo Gallery updatedPublic Photo Gallery updated 2006 Lay-up List updated. |
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Bad Weather Keeps Both Macs in Port 1/25 - Cheboygan - With no ice, there's certainly no hurry. That was the overwhelming feeling Tuesday at the Millard D. Olds Memorial Moorings, where both Cheboygan-based Coast Guard icebreakers stayed in port, delaying their operations schedules while a storm moved through the area packing gale-force winds and limiting visibility with snowfall. “The forecast was just more than we felt necessary to get involved with for training purposes,” said Ensign Matthew Kempe, public affairs officer for the new U.S. Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw. “It's pointless to go out and train on the big lake when the conditions in the river alone would be detrimental to our drills.” The original Mackinaw was set to depart at 9 a.m. Tuesday, but also chose to stay safely tied to the dock with no vessels in imminent danger on the lakes. The new Mackinaw was scheduled to go to sea 30 minutes later, but also stayed put. Both ships will likely wait out the storm before sailing, heading out perhaps today or Thursday, Kempe said. “These types of conditions aren't good for learning anchoring or anything else we plan to do,” he explained. From the Cheboygan Daily Tribune |
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Port Report - January 25 Milwaukee - Paul Erspamer Meanwhile, with Tuesday's high winds from the west, two vessels were anchored, seeking shelter in Milwaukee Bay, outside the breakwater. The nearer of these vessels appeared to be Interlake's tug Dorothy Ann and barge Pathfinder, which was observed as it approached just off Milwaukee's north shore suburbs at about 2:00 p.m. Tuesday. |
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Photo Gallery Updates - January 25 News Photo Gallery updatedPublic Photo Gallery updated 2006 Lay-up List updated. |
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Both Macs are Ready to Depart Tuesday 1/24 - Cheboygan - The weather may not be the best, but the new U.S. Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw can take it. So can the ship that has done the job for more than 60 years. Despite a forecast calling for gale-force winds, the new Mac was scheduled to depart the Cheboygan River around 9:30 a.m. today, 30 minutes after the original Mackinaw sails. Both ships are expected to take advantage of land masses to block the high winds and heavy seas, with the 1944 Mackinaw likely hugging Michigan's eastern shore while making its way down Lake Huron. The 2005 Mackinaw will conduct training availability exercises in the lee of Bois Blanc Island. “TRAV exercises will be a good thing to get us back into shape after sitting here for a month,” affirmed Ensign Matthew Kempe, the ship's public affairs officer. “We will conduct many types of training to prepare us for normal operations, including icebreaking.” Kempe said the travels could include a possible trip up the St. Mary's River, but will concentrate on operations in the Straits of Mackinac and west into Lake Michigan. “I doubt if we will get any further south than the Traverse City area,” he noted, adding that the vessel will return home by the end of the week only to depart again next week. “We'll also need to get fuel at some point although we're OK for now.” The new Mackinaw is under the command of Capt. Michael Hudson, who has been in charge for more than five weeks. The ship tested radar and other systems Monday at the Millard D. Olds Memorial Moorings in preparation for the trip. From the Cheboygan Daily Tribune |
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2006 Shipping Season Gets Early Start 1/24 - Green Bay - Warm weather helped produce one of the longest shipping seasons ever in Green Bay in 2005, and it could be one of the earliest beginnings in 2006 if the above-normal warm temperatures continue. There is no solid date to stop shipping in Green Bay, it just depends on the ice, and there hasn't been much this year. A satellite image of Green Bay and Lake Michigan taken January 14th showed a wide open lane all the way from the mouth to the tip of the bay. Four days later the ice had moved but still nothing was solid. In another satellite photo taken Monday, the ice had grown but still isn't solid, likely isn't thick, and if it stays that way, the boats can come back any time. That's a tempting option for businesses with docks along the Fox River. Many of them stocked their coal supplies, salt and sand, or lumber and wood pulp early in winter, not thinking the waterways would be this wide open to allow them to get any more. With ice this thin, though, Green Bay's port might not be closed for long. "We had to just say okay, that's the end. But we're open for 2006 at any time that the weather conditions allow us to be open," Green Bay port manager Dean Haen said. Most of the time local companies switch their shipping to trains this time of year. That can be more expensive, though, and the cost gets passed on to you, the consumer, which makes the water the preferred way to go. "You can move such a large quantity of material, maybe 18- to 20,000 tons in one shipment," Haen noted. Not knowing what the weather holds for the months ahead, some companies say they may just wait. Others say if there's a boat ready to come, they're ready to bring it in. From WBAY-TV Green Bay |
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New Mackinaw Underway for Training 1/24 - Cheboygan, MI. -- For the first time since its arrival, the new Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw is scheduled to get underway for training Tuesday morning. The Mackinaw will steam for about five days to conduct conning officer, navigation and damage control training. The ship will anchor at Bois Blanc Island and at the lower end of St. Mary's River before it completes the second phase of its two-week shakedown cruise. The Mackinaw is scheduled to begin ice trials at the end of February. Mackinaw is a one-of-a-kind 240-foot icebreaker and buoy tender, built at the Marinette Marine Corporation shipyard. The Coast Guard's Great Lakes Icebreaker Replacement Project, a major acquisition to replace the WW II-era Mackinaw (WAGB-83), began in 2001 when the contract was awarded to Marinette Marine. Mackinaw is the 31st ship to be built for the Coast Guard by Marinette Marine. USCG Press Release |
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Fair-Weather Ferries Offer a Ticket to End Cabin Fever 1/24 - Catawba Island, Ohio - Carol Gentry sat in her car and beamed. On Saturday, for the first time since 1990, when she and her husband, Terry, moved to Put-in-Bay, she was able to take her car to the mainland in the middle of January. "This is so much better!" she said with a big smile, seated in her car yesterday to ride the ferry back to South Bass Island. She was among about 15 people who bought tickets for the 10:30 a.m. boat run by Miller Boat Line. The service stopped running December 9 because of colder-than-usual weather but resumed last week after the last of the ice around South Bass melted. Julene Market said no one in her family, which has owned the ferry service since 1978, can recall operating this late in January. "Our boat line has never opened back up midwinter," she said. "Everybody's saying the same thing everywhere: how unusual the weather this winter is." A cold snap or a shift in prevailing winds could force the company to dock its ferries at any time, but for now, the boat line is running two morning trips and two afternoon trips between Catawba Island Township and South Bass Island. Matthew Miller, a captain for the boat line, said islanders are taking advantage of the warm weather to visit friends and family members, shop, and do errands. "We've had a fair amount of people going back and forth and doing some of the mainland activities they don't normally enjoy this time of year," he said. Normally, islanders who need to reach the mainland in the winter have to fly, which can cost $80 roundtrip. The same trip on the ferry costs $12 a person, plus $28 for a vehicle. Those headed to the island yesterday cited the price difference as a major factor in their decision to use the boat. Matt Dandar, an aircraft engine distributor from Tiffin, was heading over to repair a customer's Hovercraft engine. "Normally, I'd fly over, but since the ferry's running, I'm going to save him a few bucks," he said. Cathy Magers, who lives on the island, was thrilled to have the chance to take her car to an annual family get-together. "It's nice," she said, smiling as most customers seemed to be doing. "It's cheaper. It's wonderful." Also back on the water is the Kelleys Island Ferry Boat Line, running twice daily between the island and Marblehead. Kelleys Island Mayor Rob Quinn said the ferry service shut down last month as the lake nearly froze over. "There were actually some ice shanties out on the lake, and I thought that was going to be the beginning of one of our longest, coldest winters," he said. Instead, the boat line resumed service shortly after New Year's Day, which was a pleasant surprise for islanders, Mr. Quinn said. "It really helps them," he said. "The schedule is limited. There's one trip in the morning and one trip in the afternoon, but it allows them to get off, spend the day over there, and come back." A few property owners who are building homes on Kelleys Island also have taken advantage of the restarted service to ship construction materials from the mainland, Mr. Quinn said. "I know it's helping the construction trades a lot," he said. For Miller line ticket-taker Valerie Kochensparger, the unexpected call back to work meant a break from doing the home repairs she had started. "This gives my wrist a break from painting," she said. "It's nice." Customers have been delighted with the break from their usual winter routines. "One guy was all happy to get McDonald's," she said, chuckling. "You don't think about that, but when you're stuck on an island all winter…." |
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Port of Toledo Increases Cargo by 14 Percent 1/24 - Toledo, Ohio --- A new stevedore and a new, aggressive marketing program has helped the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority increase cargoes shipped through the Port of Toledo by 14 percent, according to James H. Hartung, president and chief executive officer of the Port Authority. Cargo increased from 9,387,319 short tons in 2004 to 10,727,255 in 2005. Hartung was quick to credit Seaport Director Warren McCrimmon and new stevedore, Midwest Terminals International of Toledo, who developed new cargoes to diversify the Port’s cargo. Midwest Terminals International of Toledo took over as stevedore at the General Cargo Docks in October 2004. “We can’t say enough about the job Midwest has done to market this port and increase cargo,” said Hartung. “Working with Warren [McCrimmon], they have helped us rebound from what was a down year in 2004.” New cargoes were the cornerstone of the port’s rebound in 2005, according to McCrimmon. “We’ve traditionally relied on coal and iron ore as our principle cargoes at the Port of Toledo,” said McCrimmon. “Now we are emerging as a distribution point for European lumber in the Midwest and aluminum ingots for the automotive industry.” The Port’s biggest increase was in the area of general cargo which includes lumber, steel, aluminum, and miscellaneous cargoes. General cargo throughput increased by 34 percent in 2005. Coal and iron ore also rebounded in 2005 with a 21 percent increase for coal and 34 percent increase for iron ore. Starting this year, the Port of Toledo will be open the entire year to serve domestic and Canadian shippers on the Great Lakes. “Weather permitting, we’ll be able to load and unload ships during the winter months,” said McCrimmon. “We’ve already had a couple vessels in for the 2006 shipping season, giving us a two month head start on the shipping season which has traditionally started in March.” “I congratulate Warren McCrimmon and Midwest Terminals President Alex Johnson for a job well done in 2005,” said Hartung. “With an aggressive stevedore and a rebounding economy, the Port of Toledo can look forward to a strong and profitable 2006.” Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority news release |
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Port Report - January 24 Milwaukee - Paul Erspamer Monday morning, tug G. L. Ostrander and barge Integrity arrived in the inner harbor, pivoted in the turning basin, and docked at the LaFarge Terminal. Also Monday morning, Andrie tug Barbara Andrie and fuel barge A-390 were at the Jacobus liquid cargo pier in the outer harbor. Monday afternoon, another Andrie tug/barge combination, Rebecca Lynn and tanker barge A-410, arrived in the inner harbor, pivoted and docked to unload at the inner harbor tank farm north of UW-Sea Grant. |
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Photo Gallery Updates - January 24 News Photo Gallery updatedPublic Photo Gallery updated 2006 Lay-up List updated. |
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Cheboygan Restaurant Manager Takes Issue with Coast Guard
Report 1/23 - Cheboygan - Say it ain't so, Captain. Say it ain't so. That is the reaction from a restaurant manager who witnessed the December 17 events that eventually proved to be the undoing of the commanding officer of the new U.S. Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw. “The manner in which the representatives of both Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw crews have displayed themselves at our establishment would do more to vindicate themselves than to draw condemnation,” explained Brant Coulter, general manager of Mulligan's restaurant, 322 N. Main St. “On the night in question, I can tell you with absolute certainty that there were no instances that drew my attention on any level other than that of good cheer.” Rear Adm. Robert Papp, commander of the Ninth Coast Guard District, recommended that Capt. Donald Triner be permanently relieved of his command after separate investigations following an accident while entering the Grand Haven harbor December 12 and allegations of inappropriate use of alcohol by Triner and some members of his crew at Mulligan's following a welcoming reception at the Gold Dust Ballroom after the ship arrived December 17. Papp cited “loss of confidence in Triner's ability to command” in his decision to remove Triner from the Mackinaw. “After reviewing both investigations, I have concluded that Capt. Triner gave insufficient attention to navigation and ship-handling training during the ship's shakedown cruise, thus contributing to the collision in Grand Haven,” Papp said in a news release. Although no one disputes the fact that the new icebreaker hit the Grand Haven breakwall - Triner himself was not at the helm, the conn held by a junior officer in training - that alone would have cost most Coast Guard captains their command. Rarely does a commanding officer return to the same vessel after such an incident. It is the addition of the Mulligan's investigation that was too much for the admiral. Capt. Quain Kahler, commander of Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie, conducted the investigation and said that he interviewed at least 28 witnesses and reported the findings, including an interview and subsequent letter from Coulter, to Papp. “With respect to the event in Cheboygan, Capt. Triner has exhibited personal behavior and conduct that is inconsistent with service norms and expectations for the commanding officer of a Coast Guard cutter,” Papp said. Coulter stated that Mulligan's is a family restaurant, not a saloon. “Our staff and guests interact with a great deal of respect,” Coulter countered. “The atmosphere of that night could be best described as a festive, yet controlled celebration. The citizens of the city of Cheboygan and our establishment were honored by their presence on such an important day. The Coast Guard should be proud of the actions of these officers and crew, not alarmed.” A key point in the debate could be the line that is drawn between normal or acceptable public behavior and what is normal and accepted by the Coast Guard. Especially the behavior of a commanding officer. “Was there drinking and cavorting amongst the crew that night?” Coulter asked. “Yes. Were there large amounts of alcohol consumed? No, not in relation to the size of the party. Did the Coast Guard entourage cause a disruption to other guests? Absolutely not. Were they rude, obnoxious, insulting, out of control, disrespectful or antagonizing? On the contrary.” Coast Guard policy does not specifically forbid a commanding officer from consuming alcohol in public, or drinking with his or her officers and crew. However, due responsibility with regard to alcohol use is required as per the Coast Guard Personnel Manual, which states: “All officers and senior enlisted members will promote responsible attitudes toward the use of alcoholic beverages, both on and off Coast Guard units.” It is this concern that led to a Ninth District memo to be written last spring by Papp, imploring all commanding officers of Coast Guard vessels to promote this theory among crews of their ships. The memo questions whether the Coast Guard's motto of “semper paratus” (always ready) is applicable when alcohol is involved. The memo, signed by every commanding officer in the Ninth District, is posted just outside the galley of the original icebreaker Mackinaw. Presumably, each vessel's commanding officer would display it for all to see. Like the other skippers in the Ninth District, Triner also signed the memo. In a separate change of command in May, Papp relieved Lt. Cmdr. Michael McBrady as executive officer of the cutter Hollyhock, also citing leadership failures and a lax attitude toward alcohol abuse as the primary reasons for the move. Ironically, Papp brought Triner aboard the Hollyhock until a new commanding officer was named. Triner's new ship, the Mackinaw, was being completed at Marinette Marine in Wisconsin. Triner has had no comment since being assigned to the Sector Lake Michigan office in Milwaukee. Capt. Michael Hudson is now in command of the new Mackinaw, a position he assumed following Triner's temporary relief after the Grand Haven accident. From the Cheboygan Tribune
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Driver Dies After Leaping from Blue Water Bridge 1/23 - Port Huron - Only 85 minutes after reports Saturday evening of an empty vehicle on the Blue Water Bridge, the U.S. Coast Guard found a 64-year-old Troy man floating in the St. Clair River. Coast Guard officers found the man's body shortly before 8:00 p.m. about 30 feet from the Canadian shore near Dow Chemical, 3 miles south of the bridge, said Port Huron fire Battalion Chief Mike Clark. Traffic to Canada was restricted for about half an hour while authorities searched the river. Port Huron police believe the man drove his BMW from Michigan, stopped between 6:10 and 6:30 p.m. and deliberately jumped from the new, southern span into the 38-degree water about 150 feet below. "Everything is consistent with a suicide," said Port Huron police Sgt. Scott Pike. Police did not release the man's name Saturday because his family had not yet been notified of his death. The Coast Guard and fire department launched search boats after police responded at 6:32 p.m. to a report of an unoccupied car located in the bridge's southern-most, eastbound lane. The boats, joined by a helicopter from the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Detroit, scoured the water along the east and west sides of the river in search of the suspected jumper, Clark said. When they located the body, the Coast Guard pulled him from the water into the boat and took him to shore at the mouth of the Black River at the end of Merchant Avenue. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The short period of time between the event and the location of the body is not typical, Pike said. Sometimes it takes months, he said. "It is unusual to find the person this quickly, especially in the winter when the water is colder." Pike said no one saw the man jump. Dan Muxlow of Brown City was fishing near the city's waste-water treatment plant. He was there all afternoon and into the evening, he said. "I didn't see anything," he said. As the boat crews searched, a handful of individuals stood along the river railing or pulled their cars to the side of the road to see what was happening. "I don't know what would possess a person to do that," said Jeremy Dunsmore of Port Huron as he stood outside his car. Authorities last searched for a suspected jumper in April 2004. Prior to the 2004 event, 14 people are known to have died from jumping off the bridge. The first span opened in 1938. From the Port Huron Times Herald |
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Port Reports - January 23
Milwaukee - Paul Erspamer Overnight Interlake/Lakes Shipping's Kaye E. Barker arrived with coal from KCBX South Chicago, delivering to the Greenfield Ave. coal yard operated by WE Energies. Sunday at about 11:00 a.m. the vessel backed downriver and proceeded northbound on Lake Michigan, signalling an end to its recent string of coal runs to and from KCBX. Sunday evening at about 5:00 p.m. the Kaye E. Barker returned to Milwaukee, proceeded to the south end of the inner harbor mooring basin, and docked at the wall between Nidera Grain and St. Mary's cement, at the southerly end of the inner harbor. This is not a dock space usually used by this boat. It appeared the Kaye E. Barker was in for winter lay-up. |
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Photo Gallery Updates - January 23 News Photo Gallery updatedPublic Photo Gallery updated 2006 Lay-up List updated. |
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Port Report - January 22 Goderich - Dale Baechler |
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Photo Gallery Updates - January 22 News Photo Gallery updatedPublic Photo Gallery updated 2006 Lay-up List updated. |
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Today in Great Lakes History - The Week of January 22 through January 28 January 22 - The c.) WOODLAND, a. FRENCH RIVER) was sold to International Capital Equipment of Canada and cleared off the Lakes from Montreal January 22, 1991, under the Bahamian flag with the modified name to d.) WOODLANDS . The GOLDEN HIND was sold on January 22, 1973, to Trico Enterprises Ltd., Hamilton, Bermuda (Quebec & Ontario Transportation Co. Ltd., Thorold, Ontario, mgr.) January 22, 1913 - The SAINTE MARIE (Hull#127) was launched at Toledo, Ohio by Craig Shipbuilding Co. January 23 - The CELTIC (wooden schooner-barge, 190 foot, 716 gross tons, built 1890, at W. Bay City, Michigan) broke away from the steamer H E RUNNELS during a fierce gale on Lake Huron on 29 November 1902, and was lost with all hands. No wreckage was found until 23 January 1903, when a yawl and the captain’s desk with the ship’s papers was found on Boom Point, southeast of Cockburn Island. The GEORGE A STINSON struck a wall of the Poe Lock at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on January 23, 1979. The damage was estimated at $200,000. The rail car ferry GRAND HAVEN sailed on her first trip as a roll on/roll off carrier from Port Burwell on January 23, 1965, loaded with 125 tons of coiled steel bound for Cleveland and Walton Hills, Ohio. January 23, 1980 - Protesting the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, workers refused to unload the Russian freighter KHUDOZHNKI PAKHOMOV docked at Dow Chemical in Ludington. January 24 - The JOHNSTOWN (Hull#4504) was launched January 24, 1952, at Sparrows Point, Maryland by Bethlehem Sparrows Point Shipyard. SPRUCEGLEN was launched January 24, 1924, as a.) WILLIAM K FIELD (Hull#176) at Toledo, Ohio by the Toledo Ship Building Co. The steel barge MADEIRA (Hull#38) was launched on January 24, 1900, at Chicago, Illinois by the Chicago Ship Building Co. In 1988, while under tow of German tug EVEREST of 1960, the ENDERS M VOORHEES encountered force 9 winds, parted her towline and went aground and subsequently broke in two at Profitis Elais, Kythnos Island (Thermia) in the Cyclades between the Mirto and Aegean Seas. She was on her way to Turkey for scrapping at the time. January 25 - On January 25, 1988, the tanker L’ORME NO 1 was involved in an accident at Ultramar Refinery near Quebec City when attempting to tie up during foggy weather. She struck the dock and the impact started a fire that extensively damaged the wharf and the forward section of the ship. Scrapping on the E J BLOCK began at Port Colborne, Ontario on January 25, 1988. The JOSHUA A HATFIELD (Hull#782) was launched January 25, 1923, at Lorain, Ohio by the American Ship Building Co. The W C RICHARDSON was launched January 25, 1908, as the a.) WAINWRIGHT (Hull#175) at Wyandotte, Michigan by the Detroit Ship Building Co. On 25 January 1890, ALEX NIMICK (wooden propeller, 298 foot, 1,968 gross tons) was launched at W. Bay City, Michigan. She was built by J. Davidson (Hull # 30). January 26 - The keel for the CLIFFS VICTORY, a). NOTRE DAME VICTORY (Hull#1229) was laid on January 26, 1945, at Portland, Oregon by Oregon Shipbuilding Corp. THOMAS F COLE (Hull #27) was launched January 26, 1907, by the Great Lakes Engineering Works, Ecorse, Michigan. J F SCHOELLKOPF JR was launched January 26, 1907, as a.) HUGH KENNEDY (Hull#349) at Lorain, Ohio by the American Ship Building Co. The THALASSA DESGAGNES entered service for Le Groupe Desgagnes on January 26, 1994. ST LAWRENCE NAVIGATOR was launched in 1967, as a.) DEMETERTON (Hull#619) at South Shields, United Kingdom by John Readhead & Sons, Ltd. On 26 January 1898, the CITY OF DULUTH (wooden passenger/package freight vessel, 202 foot, 1,310 gross tons, built in 1874, at Marine City, Michigan as a passenger vessel) was carrying passengers, corn, flour and general merchandise from Chicago to St. Joseph, Michigan during a late season run when she struck an uncharted bar in a storm inbound to St. Joseph. She was heavily damaged and driven ashore 350 feet west of the north pier where she broke up. The Lifesaving Service rescued all 24 passengers and 17 crew members using breeches' buoy. January 27 - In 1912, the Great Lakes Engineering Works' Ecorse yard launched the steel bulk freighter WILLIAM P SNYDER JR (Hull#83), for the Shenango Furnace Co. The LEON FALK JR closed the 1974, season at Superior by loading 17,542 tons of ore bound for Detroit. January 27, 1985 - The CITY OF MIDLAND 41 had to return to port (Ludington) after heavy seas caused a 30-ton crane to fall off a truck on her car deck. On 27 January 1978, ALLEGHENY, the training vessel of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy (built in 1944, at Orange, Texas as a sea-going naval tug) capsized at her winter dock at Traverse City, Michigan from the weight of accumulated ice. She was recovered but required and expensive rebuild and was sold and renamed TUG MALCOLM in 1979. On 27 January 1893, Charles Lonsby and Louis Wolf purchased the 161 foot wooden steam barge THOMAS D STIMSON for $28,000. The vessel was built in 1881, by W. J. Daley & Sons at Mt. Clemens, Michigan as a schooner and was originally named VIRGINIUS. She was converted to a steamship in 1887. January 28 - SELKIRK SETTLER (Hull#256) was launched January 28, 1983, at Govan, Scotland by Govan Shipbuilding Ltd. At 4:00 a.m. on 28 January 1879, the ferry SARNIA was discovered to be on fire while lying at Fitzgerald's yard in Port Huron. All of the cabins were destroyed although the fire department had the fire out within an hour. About $3,000 damage was done. She was in the shipyard to be remodeled and to have a stern wheel installed. Arson was suspected. On 28 January 1889, the Port Huron Times announced that the Toledo & Saginaw Transportation Company went out of business and sold all of its vessel and its shipyard. The shipyard went to Curtis & Brainard along with the PAWNEE and MIAMI. The BUFFALO, TEMPEST, BRAINARD and ORTON went to Thomas Lester. The C F CURTIS, FASSET, REED and HOLLAND went to R. C. Holland. The DAYTON went to J. A. Ward and M. P. Lester. The TROY and EDWARDS were sold, but the new owners were not listed. Data from: Joe Barr, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history |
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City of Escanaba Wants L. E. Block Moved 1/21 - Escanaba - Escanaba City Council decided unanimously Thursday night that the city is tired of "the boat" and will pursue legal action to get it removed. "The boat" in question is the L. E. Block, a dilapidated freighter that's been parked for several years in Little Bay de Noc on the north side of town. The boat belongs to Basic Marine, 440 N. 10th St., Escanaba. In 1997, Basic Marine entered into a contract with the city to purchase the former Northern Motor Rebuilders building on 1st Avenue North from the city for $1, said the city's attorney, Ralph "B. K." Peterson. In exchange, Basic Marine agreed to remove the freighter, Peterson said. The contract states, "Purchaser (Basic Marine) is the owner of or has control over the ore carrier named 'L. E. Block,' which is docked alongside Purchaser's property on the waterfront of the City of Escanaba. Purchaser understands that the Seller (City of Escanaba) believes that said ore carrier should be removed and disposed of. Purchaser agrees to make every effort to remove said ore carrier from the waterfront property over the next several years from the date hereof." Two other provisions in the contract were for Basic Marine to make repairs to the building and also remove remnants of a round house on the property, which were completed, Peterson said. For years, non-removal of the L. E. Block has been a major issue for the city. Not only from city officials fielding complaints from residents saying it's an eyesore, officials have also discussed environmental concerns with the boat, such as peeling paint. Now the city plans to take Basic Marine to court to resolve the issue. "We are going to be pursuing litigation," Peterson said following Thursday's meeting. "We'll file a complaint in Circuit Court asking the contract with the owner of the boat be enforced (and) asking the court for the boat to be removed or the property (former Northern Motor Rebuilders) to be returned to the city". Prior to Thursday's meeting, council members received a written opinion from the city attorney regarding the contract between the city and Basic Marine. Peterson said the letter is confidential because of legal action being pursued. Mayor Judi Schwalbach requested the boat issue be added to the council's agenda Thursday. She also brought the matter up for discussion at teh January 5 meeting. "I think the citizens of Escanaba know there is a transfer of ownership of the building...that the boat should be removed", Schwalbach said. In her opinion, she added, the city expects the contract to be fulfilled. The city administration should be directed to make sure the owner of Basic Marine, Dan Kobasic, does remove it, she said. "I don't think he's fulfilled his end of the contract," Schwalbach said. "I'm tired of hearing about it". She said it's evident that the boat floats because it was turned around last year. "Move it. People are sick and tired of it", she said. Reported by Lee Rowe from the Escanaba Daily Press |
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Company Raises Drawbridge Idea for Harsens Island 1/21 - Clay Twp.- Detroit International Bridge Co. has switched up its plans for a bridge connecting Harsens Island to the mainland. Instead of attempting to achieve the U.S. Coast Guard's height requirement of 73 feet, the company earlier this month submitted plans for a drawbridge. In December, the Coast Guard again rejected Detroit International Bridge Co.'s plans for a fixed-span bridge because there wasn't enough room beneath it for shipping. The company owns the Ambassador Bridge connecting Detroit to Windsor. The Coast Guard, which regulates all navigable waterways in the United States, mandated the bridge be 73 feet high or that it open to allow large vessels to pass through the North Channel. Dan Stamper, president of Detroit International Bridge Co., did not return repeated phone calls for comment this week. "We look at it solely for impact on the environment and impact on navigation," said Bob Bloom, bridge program manager for the U.S. Coast Guard 9th District. Detroit International Bridge Co. bought land west of the ferry landing on Harsens Island and near Island Drive on the mainland several years ago. Charles Lang, 36, lives on Island Drive near the proposed building site. "I don't think (the bridge) is a bad idea," he said. Lang said a bridge would handle traffic better than the ferry. "Half the time I miss the draw because the ferry is late," he said, referring to early-morning duck hunting trips to Harsens Island. Jim Knieper has also been made late to the early morning Department of Natural Resources hunting-site lotteries. Knieper, 37, who also lives on Island Drive, was more concerned with property values. He feared a fixed-span bridge would have required more land. The site for the proposed bridge is already close to Knieper's house and others. "If it's a drawbridge, it probably wouldn't worry us much," he said. But a drawbridge has its drawbacks, said George Koury, whose home on Pointe Tremble Road is 80 feet from the Detroit International Bridge Co.'s property. "This traffic is now really going to be traveling into my front yard," he said. "The whole thing was to eliminate congestion near the ferry." Property values, safety, congestion on the road and congestion on the river and the noise are all on top of his list of concerns. "If I can't sell my house - I put a lot of money into mine to build it and I have to be compensated by somebody," Koury said. "When I'm gone they can run this bridge right through my living room for all I care." Clay Township Clerk Michael Pellarito said officials were disappointed in the move toward a mechanical bridge. The township could have used the fixed-span bridge to carry utility mains to Harsens Island. The Coast Guard will review the new proposal, Bloom said. But he was unsure when that process would be complete. From the Port Huron Times Herald |
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2006 Water Level Forecast Looks Dry for Great Lakes 1/21 - The 2006 water level forecast for the Great Lakes is in, and it's not good. Last year, Lake Michigan water levels were eight inches below normal. The forecast for 2006 looks even drier. We have seen dramatic ups and downs with the water levels throughout the years. The levels have been well below normal since the late 1990s. Changing water levels affect everyone, from fishermen to property owners. The average levels of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron in 2005 were well below the mean. But even more noteworthy is the forecast for 2006, which falls even further below the average. So where is the water going? From WOOD TV8 Grand Rapids |
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Cement Maker's Court Fight with DEQ Delayed 1/21 - Alpena - Mercury emissions from the state's largest cement maker are pitting the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality against Lafarge Midwest Inc. of Alpena. The two sides were set to square off Friday in 26th Circuit Court in Alpena County, but the hearing was postponed until March. Robert Budnick, environmental and public relations manager for Lafarge, said the company is objecting to a new DEQ permit that would limit the amount of mercury released into the air by the factory to 390 pounds per year. Budnick said Wednesday the company feels the number is arbitrary since there has never been a study to show how much mercury is emitted by the factory or any prior limits on its mercury emissions. ''We don't have a problem with a limit, we just want it based on what is the capability of the plant and want it based on solid data,'' Budnick said. But Mark Stephens of the DEQ's Air Quality Division said the agency arrived at a 390-pound limit by testing samples of all materials used to make cement and then testing the final product to see how much mercury was retained after processing. Budnick said the company's own estimate is that it could generate up to 570 pounds of mercury a year under current plans to increase production by 20 percent, he said. The actual figure could be lower, Budnick said, and Lafarge is waiting for results of emissions testing on its smokestacks to get a better idea of mercury amounts. The DEQ monitored the recent stack tests and both sides have agreed to review the issue when the test results come back from a laboratory. Budnick said mercury is a naturally occurring substance in materials, such as limestone, used to make cement. Mercury also is found in coal and coke burned by Lafarge for energy, he said. Lafarge's efforts to increase production require modifying its air-quality permits, which triggered the new mercury limits, he said. The company wants to produce more cement to keep the plant competitive and preserve 250 jobs, he said. Budnick said the plant wants to increase production from 2.7 million tons of cement per year to 3.3 million tons. Mercury is a neurotoxin that can damage the brain and central nervous system and is particularly dangerous to children. Coal-fired power plants are the nation's biggest source of mercury, which settles in waterways and accumulates in fish. Mercury pollution has prompted the Michigan Department of Community Health to issue warnings about eating some types of fish from inland lakes. ''The whole mercury issue is a big thing in the Great Lakes and we're pushing it,'' Stephens said. From the Bay City Times |
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Port Reports - January 21 Milwaukee Paul Erspamer Tug Barbara Andrie and its fuel barge A-390 unloaded at the Jacobus liquid cargo pier in Milwaukee's outer harbor Friday. At about 2:30 Friday afternoon, Kaye E. Barker approached from the south, entered the Milwaukee breakwall, pivoted in the outer harbor, and backed upriver. Kaye E. Barker has been shuttling coal from the KCBX terminal in South Chicago to the WE Energies Greenfield Ave. coal yard in the inner harbor. Kaye E. Barker is due to lay up in Milwaukee as early as this coming weekend barring any delays. She will unload coal in Milwaukee, then head back down to KCBX in South Chicago for one last load to be brought to Milwaukee, then clean up head over to load beans for a winter storage load. After she is loaded, she will shift back and tie up for the winter. Thus ending a long season for the Kaye. Goderich - Dale Baechler |
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Photo Gallery Updates - January 21 News Photo Gallery updatedPublic Photo Gallery updated 2006 Lay-up List updated. |
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Cheboygan Museum Group Raises Funds 1/20 - Cheboygan - A committee seeking to turn the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw into a museum after it is de-commissioned is implementing plans for a major fund-raising campaign. The Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum, Inc., a group with a 501(C)3 non-profit status, is attempting to raise $1 million by July 1 to fund various initial phases of a project to secure a site, get permits and excavate in preparation for moving the giant icebreaker into a permanent well for display. “We're in the process of sending out letters to some people who we think can help,” said Joanne Harrison, the group's treasurer. Visits to solicit funds from the Chicago Yacht Club, the Detroit Yacht Club, the Lake Carriers Association, and various local service clubs have been planned as well as talks with area banks for financing the project. “We've developed two brochures, one for yearly membership and another called ‘Moor the Mackinaw' for corporate donors,” Harrison explained. “Locally, we have scheduled or already presented programs for the Business and Professional Women, Cheboygan Jaycees, the Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club and the Straits Area Builders Association. We hope to solicit these groups as well as individuals and their businesses.” She added that an effort will soon begin to solicit pledges. A campaign to canvass alumni who served on the ship has produced most of the revenue so far, approximately $50,000 in contributions and pledges. The group voted unanimously in November to have United Design Associates, Inc., begin the process of securing permits from the Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a job that could take up to two years to complete. Board members also voted unanimously to retain the services of Kathryn McKee, an independent fund-raiser from Chicago, Ill., who operates Business Development for the Arts and was hired to seek eligible grants for the group to pursue. Harrison admitted that the group still does not have a written business proposal to take to potential financiers. “Our business plan is almost finished,” she noted. “We'll need that to approach the banking industry. The process of securing funds has begun.” Donors who get in on the first wave of contributions will be named as “plankowners” of the project, the name given to crewmen who initially man a new ship. Their names will be listed on a plaque aboard the ship, Harrison said. The financial effort is designed to bolster the group's presence before a March meeting with the Cheboygan County Commissioners, who raised organizational concerns at a November meeting and balked at a plan to accept the ship in June after it is decommissioned. The matter was tabled until the scheduled March review of the plan. Also waiting for action is Sam Fralick, who owns the property north of the Cheboygan County Marina known as “the Point” where the museum group hopes to display the giant icebreaker. A first right of refusal document written with former group Chairman Jim Stevens to secure the property expired Dec. 31, 2005. “I bought that land with my business partner George Schryer in 1966 from the Olds estate,” Fralick said Thursday. “We always thought it would make a nice spot for a restaurant or some condominiums. George's daughters Linda Konicki and Lisa Trost became the other partners in 1989 through his estate when he died in 1989. I partnered with him in business dealings for 23 years.” The property was listed for sale at $1.1 million dollars in 2003, but Fralick said he has discussed a price “in the $795,000 range” with the museum committee. He recently sold property north of the Northwood Oil Company tanks. Fralick said he also owns property south of that location known as the Coal Dock, the Mackinaw's original home, running along the west side of the Cheboygan River from First Street to Durocher's tugboat slips. He has offered that location, currently unused, to berth the Mackinaw until the Point location can be readied for the vessel. “We want the Mackinaw here,” Fralick said. “It's going to be a real tourist attraction. It's the ‘Queen of the Great Lakes.' But now we have nothing on paper. They need to put together a written proposal, that's what they'll need to take to the banks.” Fralick indicated that the document is one detail - short of an actual purchase offer - he'd like to see in place to guarantee the ship's final home. “We don't want them to wait on this,” he emphasized. “There are some wetlands there and they could specify any DEQ conditions they want as part of the deal.” “That's part of our problem,” Harrison sighed. “We need to make sure that land is going to be usable before we do much else.” She said an appraisal of the property is planned in the near future. Fralick admitted he is frustrated by the slowness of the process, and said he feels the city of Cheboygan should help to encourage the deal by aiding organization of the project. “The city should be putting some action into this. This project isn't even on anybody's list of priorities,” he said, referring to City Manager Scott McNeil's recent review of 2005 city priorities. From the Cheboygan Tribune |
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Port Report - January 20 Port Colborne - Herb |
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Photo Gallery Updates - January 20 News Photo Gallery updatedPublic Photo Gallery updated 2006 Lay-up List updated. |
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Lay Up Pictures Wanted We have added pictures of the lay up fleet in Sturgeon Bay to the News Photo Gallery. If you have pictures of other lay up vessels that you would like to share, send them to news@boatnerd.net. |
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Ship in the Sheboygan Harbor: 1/19 - Whether berthing the USS Edson in the Sheboygan WI harbor would create an eyesore or a tourism draw depends on whom you talk to. "From what I hear, people don't really want to be looking at it," said Dan Grandlic, apprentice member of the Sheboygan Yacht Club. "All I know is we have a beautiful view of the lake here, and it'd be good to see (the Edson) for a while, but I think it's one of those things that'll get old." Overhearing Grandlic, yacht club member Kevin Werner said Wednesday he couldn't disagree more. "That ship won't be blocking anybody's view," he said. "We have tanks in city parks, and we think they're great — why can't we have a military ship in the harbor and think it's great?" WINSA said the Edson is in mint condition, would come at little or no cost to the city and could attract 80,000 visitors a year as a museum, memorial and education center. City leaders are divided on the Edson, though the Common Council gave the ship a tentative go-ahead Monday night by voting 12-4 to begin negotiating a contingent lease for the 418-foot Vietnam War-era destroyer. "It's a huge project and it requires huge attention, a lot of thought, and I think we haven't given it that," said Mayor Juan Perez. The Glendale-based Wisconsin Naval Ship Association has proposed berthing the Edson at the base of South Pier, north of the Blue Harbor Resort and Conference Center, but a competing veteran's group in Michigan has already submitted an application that Sheboygan could have only six months to match. Standing between the Edson and the Sheboygan harbor is expensive dredging of the potentially contaminated Sheboygan River bottom, $5 million to $7 million in fundraising, an exhaustive government application and competition that is years ahead. A Bay City, Mich., veterans group, the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum, submitted an application for the USS Edson in November, according to group president Michael Kegley. "From what we've been hearing (from the Navy), it sounds good," said Kegley, who has been working since 1997 to bring a ship to his area and has concentrated on the Edson since 2003. "Our timeline is to have the ship here in Bay City by this fall." Kegley said the Bay City group has raised enough money to bring the ship there, has the necessary government permits in hand and has established educational agreements with 42 area school superintendents. The Navy will decide by the end of next week whether the application is complete, in which case the six-month window would begin, according to Navy spokesman Landon Hutchens. The application includes a business/financial plan, mooring plan, maintenance plan, towing plan, environmental plan and curatorial/museum plan. The final decision is made by the secretary of the Navy and approved by Congress. Joseph Lombardi of Massachusetts-based Ocean Technical Services, who WINSA hired to coordinate the Navy application, said the application can "absolutely" be done in six months, but described it as a "very substantial thing." WISNA first landed in Sheboygan in late July with a proposal to berth the 716-foot Des Moines in the Sheboygan harbor. The group switched to the USS Edson in early September. Lombardi said he will examine the Edson in Philadelphia, then visit Sheboygan to examine the potential berthing site within the next month. Dick Caswell, WINSA chief and former Navy captain, said the group will begin fundraising now that the council has approved entering lease negotiations. But some say the council decision to approve lease negotiations was premature. "At this point what I'm concerned the most with is the council's action to, what is in my mind, rush it through, without having (WINSA) answer all the questions that have been asked thoroughly," said Perez, who attended a Monday public hearing on the Edson where he said about half the questions where not answered satisfactorily. Perez said he wants further assurance the project will not require city tax dollars and more information on how the Edson will affect future riverfront and lakefront development, nearby condominium projects and Blue Harbor. Lombardi said the Edson will have a 15-foot draft and require 17 feet of water, which means substantial dredging. "That'll be one of the prime pieces of the puzzle that have to be sorted out," he said. The Sheboygan River is known to contain polychlorinated biphenyls — or PCBs — but whether the wedge-shaped area in need of dredging is contaminated will not be known until WINSA hires a group to take core samples. "I'd be surprised if there's any contamination in there, because that's generally just sand that's come over the wall, whether from wind or waves," said Tom Holtan, city public works director. Victor Pappas, DNR Sheboygan Basin team supervisor, said if the soil is contaminated it could still be removed, but it could be quite costly. If the soil has dangerous levels of PCBs, dredgers would need to contain the sediment underwater, dredge below 17 feet to remove exposed PCBs and possibly dispose of the contaminated material out-of-state, Pappas said. From the Sheboygan Press |
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Rochester Drops Ferry to Canada 1/19 - Plans for a ferry service between Cleveland and Canada continue despite another Great Lakes city's decision to end its ferry run to Toronto. Rochester, N.Y., lost more than $10 million since buying the venture out of bankruptcy last February. The city's mayor recently announced that he would not back a request to finance the service this year. "The unfortunate decision to get the city into the ferry business in the first place will cost taxpayers between 2 to 3 million dollars a year for many years to come," Mayor Robert Duffy said in a written statement. "But this shutdown will at least stop the hemorrhaging of tax dollars." Rochester's decision won't affect Cleveland, said Rose Ann DeLeon of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority, which is pushing the local effort. The goal is to launch the service to Port Stanley, Ontario, by next year. The uncertain future of the harbor at Port Stanley has contributed to delays. The municipality is trying to buy the property from the Canadian federal government. Ownership must be settled before Royal Wagenborg, the Dutch company negotiating to operate the service, signs a contract. Unlike Rochester, Cleveland's ferry would carry commercial traffic, as well as passengers. Royal Wagenborg representatives will be in town later this week and next, talking with potential customers. A proposal for another Lake Erie ferry between Port Burwell, Ontario, and a port near the Painesville Township-Grand River border also awaits news from Canada. Grand River Mayor Chris Conley said that progress was being overshadowed by the upcoming Canadian national elections. Bainbridge Township entrepreneur Kent Kristensen is in Canada this week trying to garner support for his plan, Conley said in an e-mail. From the Cleveland Plain Dealer |
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Port Reports - January 19 Milwaukee - Paul Erspamer Overnight, Interlake/Lakes Shipping's Kaye E. Barker arrived, working the coal shuttle from KCBX in South Chicago. After offloading at WE Energies at Greenfield Avenue, Kaye E. Barker backed downriver, departing at first light Thursday. Soo - Howie Wilcox Escanaba - Lee Rowe Sturgeon Bay - Wendell Wilke Goderich - Dale Baechler |
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Photo Gallery Updates - January 19 News Photo Gallery updated2006 Lay-up List updated. |
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Oglebay Norton Company Announces Intention To Sell Vessels 1/18 - Cleveland -Oglebay Norton Company (OTC Bulletin Board: OGBY) announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Oglebay Norton Marine Services Company LLC., has executed 30-day exclusivity agreements with two undisclosed parties related to acquisition of its fleet of self-unloading Great Lakes freight vessels. Exclusivity was granted in order to allow the bidders to conduct customary due diligence and permit the parties to negotiate and execute definitive purchase agreements and long-term contracts of affreightment for the carriage of Company stone. Closing is anticipated prior to the start of the 2006 shipping season in March. The transactions are subject to approval by the Company's lenders, board of directors and certain regulators. Oglebay Norton Company, a Cleveland, Ohio-based company with
a 150-year tradition of service, provides essential minerals and aggregates to
a broad range of markets, from building materials and environmental
remediation to the energy and metallurgical industries. For more information,
see www.oglebaynorton.com |
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American Steamship may be Expanding Fleet 1/18 - Buffalo - Williamsville-based American Steamship Co. could be poised for major growth as another veteran Great Lakes shipping company prepares to exit the business. The 99-year-old shipping company is considered a prime suitor for Cleveland-based Oglebay Norton Company's fleet of lake freighters. That company announced last month that it wants to get out of the shipping business to concentrate on its mining ventures. American Steamship has operated under a "shipping alliance" with Oglebay Norton since 2002, an arrangement which has seen the two companies pool their vessels into a single fleet to attain economies of scale while retaining separate ownership. Rhonda Johnson, spokeswoman for American Steamship's parent company, Chicago-based GATX Corp., confirmed the potential acquisition. "We've expressed an interest in buying them," Johnson said, citing how well American Steamship's 11 freighter fleet has worked with Oglebay Norton's vessels to dominate the shipment of coal, iron ore and limestone aggregates on the Great Lakes. Johnson declined to provide more details, but said the Cleveland company is looking to "close very quickly" on a sale. Oglebay has not commented on possible buyers beyond a Dec. 28 statement in which it said it has received "numerous offers" for its fleet of self-unloading freighters, but had not yet entered into an agreement. Oglebay's mutually beneficial relationship with American Steamship would seem to make it a perfect fit for what the company is seeking after the sale. President and CEO Michael Lundin said he is seeking a buyer who will enter into a long-term agreement to carry Oglebay Norton's mined products. "We are committed to serving our customers by providing quality chemical limestone, lime and industrial sands," Lundin said in a statement. In 2005, the combined American Steamship/Oglebay freighter fleet carried nearly 50 million tons of coal, minerals and ores across the Great Lakes. Founded in the mid-1800s, Oglebay is probably best known beyond shipping circles as the owner of the ill-fated freighter, the Edmund Fitzgerald. On Nov. 10, 1975, the ore carrier sank in Lake Superior off the Wisconsin shoreline, killing her crew of 29. American Steamship was incorporated in Buffalo in 1907 and began shipping service with three bulk vessels. It was acquired by Oswego Shipping Co. in 1937, but continued to be headquartered in Buffalo and operate under the American Steamship name. GATX Corp. acquired the shipper in 1973 and has maintained ownership. American Steamship, headed by President and CEO Jerome K. Welsch currently employs some 30 staffers at its Williamsville offices, plus another 300 marine employees. Its fleet includes the M/V Buffalo, a 27-year-old, 634-foot-long freighter named for its hometown. Its three largest vessels can carry more than 80,000 tons. From the Buffalo News |
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Lake Ontario Ferry Sale not likely for
Months 1/18 - Rochester - Interested buyers for the high-speed ferry so far are from New York City and Turkey, Mayor Robert Duffy said Tuesday, adding that the ship most likely won't be sold until summer. "There obviously is some interest," Duffy said, explaining that the Turkish inquiry was made by an intermediary that operated in the same role for Istanbul Fast Ferries last year. "We have not set up a conference call yet. I hope to do that this week." Officials warn that what lies ahead is a methodical dismantling likely to frustrate residents who want things to happen more quickly. As Duffy said, there is no urgency to unload the ship, but "if it sits there for an inordinate amount of time, I think it's just a reminder." One week after Duffy announced the city was getting out of the ferry business, City Council approved borrowing up to $9.4 million from city insurance reserves Tuesday night to pay shutdown expenses. One year ago, the city was in the throes of a rescue mission to save the Rochester-to-Toronto service. The lingering question is the fallout for taxpayers. But the debt to be assumed by the city won't be known until all Rochester Ferry Co. dealings are resolved and the ship is sold. "We did everything in our power to prevent this day from coming," former Mayor William A. Johnson Jr. said earlier Tuesday, breaking his silence on the ferry shutdown to defend his administration's handling of the project. Johnson, speaking during a news conference at Mount Olivet Baptist Church, 141 Adams St., refrained from second-guessing Duffy's decision. He made it clear, however, that the service would have continued under his leadership. Johnson focused his comments on insinuations that his staff wasn't open about its 14-year contract guaranteeing the Toronto Port Authority $250,000 annually. He also clarified that a state and federal investigation into past ferry finances came at the city's request. "I am disappointed that some people are willing to so easily dismiss this venture as 'ill-conceived, ill-fated and poorly executed,'" Johnson said. "I am angry that anyone would remotely insinuate that there is some malfeasance or cover-up." Duffy later met with the media at City Hall and stood by his comment that the Toronto Port Authority contract was "discovered," noting, "Nobody ever alleged a scandal." Duffy did not give Johnson a heads-up about his decision, and the two since have spoken only once in passing. Looking ahead, the reserve funds first will be used to repay at least $2.5 million owed manager Bay Ferries Great Lakes LLC. Duffy said that could happen as soon as next week. A separate matter involves breaking a contract with Bay Ferries, but the Canadian company must remain in place as it employs the skeleton crew that will maintain the ship until it is sold, said Thomas Richards, the city's corporation counsel. Richards is part of a three-member ferry team that Duffy appointed to guide the process. Additionally, a senior staffer in the Department of Environmental Services is being assigned to work the project full time. Richards said he wants to get advice from people in the business and possibly hire a broker before going much further. "We're going to have to be patient," Richards said. "I know that's going to be frustrating for people because they want this thing to be done." The $9.4 million should cover all envisioned expenses through July or mid-August, Duffy said. If the ship is not sold by the end of March, the insurance must be renewed. In June, the warranties come due. Those two expenses alone total $800,000 and are included in the request. "It's a lot of money," Duffy said of the $9.4 million. "It's an awful lot of money. It's a big chunk of the reserve funds." The money will be drawn from the city's $12.4 million insurance reserve, maintained because the city is self-insured against lawsuits and outside claims. Whatever is borrowed will be repaid once the ship is sold. Duffy has said the city should expect no less than $20 million for the ship it bought for $32 million last February. So far, he said, no offer has been made. In terminating ferry service, Duffy rejected a plan for $11.5 million in external borrowing to keep the operation going. "The one advantage I had was I came into this without having a strong personal attachment to the project," Duffy said. Johnson has denied he was enchanted by the ferry project, instead painting it as a means to an end — restoring the Port of Rochester to its once-prominent place as a destination. "That was the vision we pursued, and the ferry was one of the tools to achieve it," Johnson said. "Was it possible to achieve? We will never know." From the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: |
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Port Reports - January 18 Milwaukee - Paul Erspamer Duluth-Superior - Al Miller The pilothouse began life aboard the Charles F. Hebard, which was built in 1906. After the steamer was removed from service in 1963, the pilothouse was removed and purchased by the Goldfine family of Duluth. The Goldfines set the pilothouse atop Goldfine’s by the Bridge, a discount store on Duluth’s Garfield Avenue. After the store closed, the pilothouse was removed and placed on Barkers Island in Superior, where is served as a gift shop and ticket office for the Vista Fleet excursion boats. When redevelopment on the island forced the pilothouse to move, the Goldfine family brought it to the Bridgeview Motor Inn, which they also own. Toledo - Alpena - Ben & Chanda McClain |
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Photo Gallery Updates - January 18 News Photo Gallery updated2006 Lay-up List updated. Public Photo Gallery updated |
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Seamen Withdraw $100 Million Offer for
Oglebay Norton Fleet 1/17 - Cleveland - A group of merchant seamen who came up with a plan to buy Oglebay Norton Co.'s Great Lakes fleet withdrew its $100 million offer for the boats after learning that another suitor was dangling twice as much money. Robert Woodman, who led the buyout drive, said Friday that Oglebay's sailors sent a letter to company Chief Executive Michael Lundin three weeks ago saying they were bowing out of the competition for one of the last old-line companies in Cleveland's industrial history. Woodman said that he did not know who the high-stakes bidder was but that he understood an announcement would come by the end of January. Oglebay has kept quiet about potential bidders since announcing in October that it had hired a New York investment banker to help sell the fleet. According to Lundin, the 151-year-old minerals and shipping company has capital locked up in the boats that it wants to use to reduce debt and make investments. Oglebay spokesman Patrick Gallagher said Friday that the company had no announcement yet on a buyer. In October, he said the company's marine division, with about 400 employees, will remain based in Cleveland following any sale, but the fleet could be headquartered elsewhere. Woodman said his group was informed by the investment banking firm handling the transaction for Oglebay that an offer for the fleet was put on the table that was roughly twice the employees' offer of $100 million. "In light of that information, we decided to conduct an orderly retreat," he said in a call from his home in Maine. "On the bright side, obviously we're a hot item." Oglebay sunk into bankruptcy in February 2004 after its shares became penny stocks, plunging from a high near $50 in the late 1990s. Critics blamed the company's problems on poor decisions by its then-executives to rapidly diversify into industrial minerals, leaving the company highly leveraged. When it emerged from bankruptcy a year later, it was owned largely by bond holders. From the Cleveland Plain Dealer |
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Port Reports - January 17 Saginaw River - Todd Shorkey Goderich - Dale Baechler St. Clair River - Gordy Garris Duluth-Superior - Al Miller Elsewhere, over the weekend American Mariner moved into the large drydock at Fraser Shipyards. Also in the yard is Charles M. Beeghly and Earl W. Oglebay. The four vessels from Great Lakes Fleet arrived over the weekend as expected and tied up at various berths around the port terminal and the Garfield dock. South Chicago - Steve B. Milwaukee - Paul Erspamer Nearby, the Andrie tug Rebecca Lynn and its liquid transfer barge A-410 were at the tank farm just north of the UW Sea Grant building, offloading petroleum products. |
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Photo Gallery Updates - January 17 News Photo Gallery updated2006 Lay-up List updated. |
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Today in Great Lakes History - January 17 thru January 21 January 17 - NORTHERN VENTURE closed the Welland Canal for the season as she passed down bound for Hamilton with coal in 1975. In 1978, the CLIFFS VICTORY, JOSEPH H FRANTZ, WILLIAM G MATHER, ROBERT C NORTON, CRISPIN OGLEBAY and J BURTON AYERS formed a convoy in the Detroit River bound for Cleveland. The PHILIP D BLOCK (Hull#789) was launched at Lorain, Ohio, by the American Ship Building in 1925.Tanker GREAT LAKES was launched in 1963, as the a.) SINCLAIR GREAT LAKES (Hull#1577) at Decatur, Alabama by Ingalls Iron Works Co. JOHN E F MISENER was float launched in 1951, as a.) SCOTT MISENER (Hull#11) at St. Catharines, Ontario by Port Weller Drydocks, Ltd. January 17, 1902 - The PERE MARQUETTE 2 ran aground at Ludington. PERE MARQUETTE 19 grounded in limited visibility on January 17, 1916, two miles south of Big Point Sable, Michigan 600 feet off shore. The captain made three unsuccessful attempts to find the Ludington Harbor entrance and on the turn around for the fourth attempt she grounded. On 17 January 1899, the GERMANIA (wooden propeller freighter, 136 foot, 237 gross tons, built in 1875, at Marine City, Michigan) caught fire and burned to the water's edge at Ecorse, Michigan. The previous day, Norman Reno of Ecorse did some painting inside the cabin and it was presumed that the stove used to heat the cabin may have caused the blaze. The vessel was in winter lay-up at the rear of the home of Mr. W. G. Smith, her owner. January 18 - On 18 January 2004, the Great Lakes Fleet’s 1000 footer EDGAR B SPEER became stuck in the ice in the Rock Cut in the St. Mary’s River. Over the next two days, the U.S.C.G.C. MACKINAW tried to free her, but unsuccessfully. On 21 January, the tugs RELIANCE, MISSOURI, JOSEPH H THOMPSON JR and JOYCE L VAN ENKEVORT all coordinated their efforts under the direction of Wellington Maritime’s Captain John Wellington and got the SPEER free. The CABOT was refloated on January 18, 1967. On December 16, 1966, while loading at Montreal, the CABOT rolled over on her side and sank. The CABOT's stern section, used in the interim as the stern section of the b.) CANADIAN EXPLORER, now sails as the stern section of c.) CANADIAN TRANSFER. The MONDOC had her Canadian registry closed on January 18, 1979. The vessel had been renamed b) CORAH ANN and sold to Jamaican company. CORAH ANN was scrapped in 2003. The National Steamship Co. was incorporated January 18, 1906. L. P. Mason and Company of E. Saginaw, Michigan sold the steam barge PORTER CHAMBERLAIN (wooden steam barge, 134 foot, 257 gross tons, built in 1874, at Marine City, Michigan) on 18 January 1888, to Comstock Brothers and L. & H. D. Churchill of Alpena, Michigan. January 19 - On 19 January 1824, the Welland Canal Company was incorporated to build the first Welland Canal. The DAVID M WHITNEY (steel propeller freighter, 412 foot, 4,626 gross tons) was launched on 19 January 1901, by the Detroit Ship Building Company (Hull #138) in Wyandotte, Michigan for the Gilchrist Transportation Company of Cleveland, Ohio. Renamed b.) EDWIN L BOOTH in 1914, c.) G N WILSON in 1921, d.) THOMAS BRITT in 1928, and e.) BUCKEYE in 1943. She lasted until 1969, when she was scrapped in Spain. January 19, 1927 - The Grand Trunk carferry MADISON was christened with a bottle of Wisconsin milk. She entered service in March of 1927.CLARENCE B RANDALL, the a.) J J SULLIVAN of 1907, was towed to Windsor, Ontario on January 19, 1987, for scrapping. January 21 - On this day on 1959, gale force winds and ice at Buffalo, New York caused the steamer MAC GILVRAY SHIRAS to break lose from its moorings and on the way down the Buffalo River collided with the MICHAEL K TEWKSBURY and severed her moorings. Both vessels crashed into the Michigan Avenue Bridge causing millions of dollars in damages. On 21 January 1895, CHICORA (wooden propeller passenger/package freight vessel, 199 foot, 1,123 gross tons, built in 1892, at Detroit, Michigan) was bound from Milwaukee for St. Joseph on a mid-winter run when he foundered with little trace. All 25 on board were lost. The ship's dog was found wandering on the beach by St. Joseph, Michigan a few days later. A well organized search for the wreck continued until mid-June. Many small pieces of wreckage were washed ashore in the Spring. On January 21, 1978, the Multifood Elevator #4 at Duluth, Minnesota caught fire and collapsed onto the deck of the steamer HARRY L ALLEN which was laid up beneath the elevator. Her pilothouse was destroyed by fire. Severe warping and cracking of her plating occurred when cold water was poured onto her red-hot deck. Data from: Brian Wroblewski, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history. |
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Cutter Waits for Ice 1/16 - Cheboygan - Clear, cold nights have at last begun the process of cooling down waters in the Straits of Mackinac to the point where ice has begin forming along the shoreline. However, it will take more than shore ice to necessitate underway operations of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw, ready and waiting for its final season of icebreaking to begin. “There are no current sailing orders,” Cmdr. Joe McGuiness confirmed Friday. “We don't think we're going to get any ice next week, but we'll see. There could be a two to three-month delay in all of this and maybe we'll have ice dragging on into late spring, who knows?” McGuiness met with commanding officers of the cutters Katmai Bay and Biscayne Bay last week to formulate a plan of action for when the ice finally does arrive, as it inevitably will. He receives daily updates on ice conditions throughout the Great Lakes and usually can see ice conditions developing in advance. “Until the ice shows up, we'll be concentrating on maintenance and drills for area familiarization, ship-handling, things like that,” he explained. “Transiting the St. Mary's River is one thing, but when you go through there and break ice that's a totally different experience. Up in that area is where we'll see it (ice) first, I'm sure.” The Soo Locks closed during the weekend, despite mild conditions that could have temporarily allowed more vessels to transit through. The locks undergo an annual maintenance and inspection period so the closing date is set to permit enough time to get the work done before ships line up for the spring opening in March. The original Mackinaw will be in port at least through this week, and the new Mackinaw is still awaiting its first trip out of the Cheboygan River since arriving here Dec. 17. Continued maintenance and training are slated for the new icebreaker throughout the winter, once conditions are favorable for the ship's first tests with lake ice. From the Cheboygan Daily Tribune |
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Boblo Boat Effort Runs Out of Steam The Boblo boat Columbia needs some help from its friends. In the past two years, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy has twice paid to have the 216-foot-long, 60-foot-wide vessel covered with plastic at a combined cost of roughly $70,000. The conservancy also paid to keep the boat at the Nicholson Terminal & Dock Co. wharf in Ecorse. And the group paid the boat's electric bills. After looking into the possibilities of running the Columbia as a moneymaking tour boat in the Detroit River, the conservancy's board last month voted to end its support for the boat. By spring, the responsibility for maintaining the 104-year-old steam-powered ship will return to its owner, the Steamer Columbia Foundation headed by a Detroit steamboat historian, Bill Worden. Worden said he's glum about the boat's future. The foundation is already in debt to the National Trust for Historic Preser |