By Art Pickering

April 24th:  Well the Pathfinder finally loaded ore late yesterday afternoon
and departed Marquette.  According to reports, the Pathfinder was seen out in
the upper harbor checking various systems to ensure the safety of the vessel
before loading.  Meanwhile, the lower harbor is still close as of this morning
which allows clean-up and recovery crews to work in the area.  Clean-up is
just about done and recovery crews have located the pod that fell off the 
Pathfinder when she hit bottom Monday morning.  Divers will secure the pod 
later today and the pod will be removed from the lake bottom.  U.S.C.G. is 
also check the channel in and out of the Shiras dock in the lower harbor to
determine if the changes in the channel have occurred during the winter.  
Such changes may not be known and will cause havoc for vessel captains as they
maneuver through the channel.  Prior to the arrival of the Pathfinder this
year, two other vessels (Great Lakes Trader & Kaye Barker)have made the same
trip into the Shiras Dock without incident.  Until U.S.C.G. officials can 
evaluate the channels accessibility, the lower harbor remains closed to 
commerical vessels.  

Yesterday, the Robert Pierson made a visit to the ore dock in the upper harbor
and later today, the Pierson will make a return visit.  No other vessels are
scheduled at this time.

April 22nd:  Last night, local media reported that the Pathfinder had struck 
bottom as she departed the lower harbor and as a result about 30 gallons of fuel
oil was release into Lake Superior.  The crew immediatedly contacted the 
U.S.C.G of the incident.   Michigan DEQ and U.S.C.G. immediately closed the 
lower harbor to all water traffic and began the clean-up and investigation of 
the incident.  Late yesterday afternoon, clean-up equipment could be seen 
throughout the harbor and the local marina and boat launch was closed until 
further notice.  In addition, local media reported that U.S.C.G. and divers 
were inspecting the vessel to determine if the Pathfinder could continue with 
its schedule.  Early this morning, the Pathfinder was still anchored in the 
lower harbor.  However, shortly after 7 a.m., the Pathfinder did make the short 
trip up to the ore dock in the upper harbor and will be loaded with ore this 
morning.  Also at the ore dock was the Robert Pierson who arrived during the 
night.  No other vessels are scheduled for today and the next arrival will be 
the Robert Pierson around noon tomorrow.

April 21st:   *******Breaking News*********

Rumor has it round Marquette that a ore vessel has struck a rock in Marquette's
lower harbor and fuel oil is now leaking badly from the vessels.  According to
comments provided to me just before lunch today, the ore vessel Pathfinder had
just completed unloading operations this morning at the Shiras dock in the 
lower harbor and had departed around 6:30 a.m. for the short trip to the ore 
dock in the upper harbor.  As she rounded the end of the breakwall in the lower 
harbor, she struck a rock which damaged the vessel and creating the spill.  At
the time of this report the vessel is just off the south harbor breakwall and 
Coast Guard officials can be seen investigating the scene.  No other details
are available at this time.

April 21:  Traffic in and out of Marquette continues to be light since my last 
report.  Vessels visiting Marquette's harbors include the Kaye Barker, James
Barker, and Charles Beeghly all of whom visited the ore dock in the upper harbor
and the Great Lakes Trader and the Kaye Barker who both made visits to the 
Shiras dock in the lower harbor.  Yesterday, the American Fortitude visited the
ore dock in the upper harbor and early this morning, the Pathfinder was docked
at the Shiras dock in the lower harbor while the Herbert Jackson was docked at 
the ore dock in the upper harbor.  Later this morning, the Pathfinder will move 
up to the ore dock and the Robert Pierson is scheduled to arrive late this 
afternoon.

April 10th:  Since my last report, vessels have been trickling in and out of 
Marquette's harbor.  The lower harbor finally had its first vessel of the year
when the Great Lakes Trader backed into the Shiras Dock with a load of lime
stone on Monday evening.  After unloading, the Trader departed for a western
port on Superior.  Other vessels who made visits to the upper harbor since my
last report include the Calumet, Pathfinder, and Lee Tregurtha who pulled in
to unload coal for Wisconsin Electric and then departed for a westen port on
Superior.  This morning, the Herbert Jackson was at the ore dock loading ore
and is hoping to depart later today and be out of the region before a huge
winter storm arrives.  The John Pierson is the only other vessel scheduled 
for today which should arrive late this afternoon.  As of now, the schedule of
vessels to arrive is on hold pending a huge winter storm that is scheduled to
arrive mid-day tomorrow and last into Sunday.  As of now, the Kaye Barker and
the James Barker are due into Superior to load coal for Marquette and were
scheduled to arrive late this weekend.  However, both arrivals are pending the 
storm.  Local weather personal are calling for high winds and large amounts of 
heavy snow.  Some are forecasting 7-20+ inches to fall over the region and some 
reports are stating as much as 27+ inches.  Based on this forecast, I am sure
vessels on Superior will be rushing to get into port or out of the region before
this monster storm hits.

April 4:  Well since my last report, traffic in and out of Marquette has been 
sparse.  The Calumet has made two trips from Soo, Ont to Marquette and the
Mesabi Miner arrived earlier this week to deliver a load of coal for Wisconsin
Electric.  Since my last report, the region also received a huge snow storm on 
Monday afternoon that stirred up Lake Superior, the likes that haven't been 
seen in some time.  Waves wear roaring in at 15-20 feet high helped by 50-75 
mph winds from the northeast. By Tuesday afternoon, the storm was gone and 
the lake started to settle down.  However, both the Miner and the Calumet 
arrived in Marquette late Tuesday afternoon or early Wednesday and I am sure
the Captain of both vessels earned their pay fighting that storm as they 
sailed to Marquette.

Today will be a very busy day for the ore dock in the upper harbor.  The Charles
Beeghly and the Calumet are both at the dock as of this report with the American
Valor due in shortly after noon today and the Kaye Barker due in later tonight.

Finally, it appears the lower harbor will finally receive the first vessel of 
the season late next week when the Kaye Barker arrives with a load of coal for
BLP.  In a twist of fate, the Kaye Barker will be followed by the James Barker 
by about 8 hours with a load of coal for the upper harbor.  So it appears
the Barker brother vessels will both be in town together late next week.

March 26th:  Well the shipping season is now in full swing with the arrival of
the first ore vessel of the season.  Earlier today, the Manitowoc (formerly the 
Earl W.) arrived to take on the first load of ore from Marquette.  The Manitowoc
was scheduled to arrive yesterday however, according to local media was delayed
while in enroute due to ice.  The Manitowoc should depart mid-morning tomorrow.

March 12th:  Welcome to the 2008-2009 Shipping Season for Marquette.  I am
looking forward once again to providing vessel updates for Marquette harbors.
To begin with, ABC news showed a short clip on this morning announcing the
annual ice breaking event by the Coast Guard in Duluth which started 
yesterday.  The clip showed the U.S.C.G. Alder breaking ice in the river 
preparing for vessel traffic which will begin on Saturday.  It appears the 
first commerical vessel to depart Duluth will be the Mesabi Miner with a load 
of coal for Wisconsin Electric here in Marquette.  The 1000 footer is scheduled 
to load coal at 8 a.m. on Saturday and by late Saturday or early Sunday, the
vessel should be on its way to Marquette.

Marquette's harbors are still ice covered as of today.  However, with the right
wind, the ice flow could be out of here within a day.  It is unclear if the
Mesabi Miner will have ice breaking support as she travels to Marquette and it
is unknown at this time how the ice enroute to and here in Marquette will impact
travel time for the Mesabi Miner.  The Miner is due back in Duluth on March
18th to load coal for Taconite Harbor and then back to Duluth on March 21st to
load coal for a second trip to Marquette.

As far as when the first ore boat arrival, no information is available as of 
this report.  As of today, the Soo Locks are still scheduled to open on March 
25th.  Ore dock personnel continue winter maintenance on the ore dock
and several of the ore chutes are in the lower position for maintenance and 
there is still lots of maintenance equipment on top of the dock.  No ore cars
have been position on the dock yet. 
 
My next report will not be available until March 27th.  I myself will be on a 
ship in the Carribean for 10 days.  However, as soon as I return, I will 
continue my updates.  Until then have a great ship watching season and I look 
forward to providing the updates for this season.  

January 20th:  With the departure of the Mesabi Miner late last night or very 
early this morning, the 2007-2008 shipping season came to a frigid end.  With
strong winds and very cold tempatures and wind chills, the Mesabi Miner
completed its unloading process and headed back to Superior for winter layup.
This will end my reports for 2007-2008.  Thanks for all the e-mails that I
received during the past shipping season and I hope you all enjoyed the reports 
from Marquette.  The shipping season should start back up in about 60 days.  Have a great winter lay-up.

January 16th:  Well even with the Soo Locks now closed, the shipping season 
continues here in Marquette.  Yesterday, the Earl W. made her last visit to 
Marquette and loaded ore for Algoma Steel in the Soo.  Shortly after her 
departure during the evening, the Mesabi Miner arrived to unload coal for
Wisconsin Electric.  The Mesabi Miner will depart late tonight or early tomorrow
for Superior, Wis and take on one more load of coal for Wisconsin Electric.  She
will depart Superior late Friday evening and arrive back here in Marquette late
Saturday.  She is scheduled to return to Superior late Sunday for winter lay-up.

January 15th:  Well the 2007-2008 season is just about history.  Since my last
report, the following vessels have made visits to the ore dock in the upper
harbor:

     K Barker
     Herbert Jackson (x2)
     Michipicoten (x3)
     John Munson
     Lee Tregurtha
     Earl W.
     Wolverine

The last ore ship of the season, the Earl W., will arrive early this morning 
depart later today.  The offical last vessel of the season will be the Mesabi
Miner who will make two trips from Superior to Marquette to deliver coal to 
Wisconsin Electric.  She departed on her first trip this morning for Marquette 
and then should return for her final trip of the season on Saturday.

I would like to thank all those ship watchers who kept up with my reports from
Marquette over the past shipping season.  I have received numerous e-mails from
folks all over the country and I hope my responses were helpful.  I plan to be
back for the 2008-2009 shipping season.  I should return from my cruise just in
time for the arrival of the first vessel in March here in Marquette.  I hope
you all have a great and wonderful winter lay-up.  See you next season!

Jan 7th (cont):  There was another rare sighting in Marquette late Friday
evening.  After the Charles Beeghly departed the ore dock leaving only the 
Kaye Barker on the north side, the Michipicoten and the Wolverine both pulled 
into the south side of the ore dock one behind the other.  By Saturday, the Kaye
Barker departed and the Wolverine was docked on the north side of the ore dock.

January 7th:  A slow weekend of traffic here in Marquette.  The Michipicoten
and the Wolverine finally made it to the ore late Friday afternoon.  The 
Michipicoten loaded up and departed late Saturday evening while the Wolverine 
departed on Sunday.  The Michipicoten arrived back in Marquette from the Soo 
late Sunday night and by early this morning had already loaded and departed 
Marquette.  The Wolverine is the only vessel scheduled for late today while the
Michipicoten is the only vessel scheduled for tomorrow.

January 4th:  What a rare sight to be seen last night here in Marquette's upper 
harbor.  The Herbert Jackson and Charles Beeghly were both docked at the ore
dock while the Kaye Barker, Michipicoten, and Wolverine were all anchored out
in the upper harbor.  The Wolverine which was scheduled for a early morning
arrival today arrived about 5 p.m. last night setting up the rare sight.  As
of today, the Jackson departed during the evening and the Kaye Barker is at
the ore dock with the Beeghly while the Michipicoten and Wolverine wait their
turn.  No other vessels are scheduled for today or tomorrow.

Jan 3, 2008:  Happy New Year!  Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season.  
Traffic in and out of Marquette has been heavy since my last report.  The
following vessels have visited Marquette's harbor since my last report:

Lower Harbor:     Great Lakes Trader
                  Herbert Jackson

Upper Harbor:     Charles Beeghly
                  Earl W.
                  Herbert Jackson (x2)
                  Kaye Barker (x2)
                  Lee Tregurtha
                  Michipicoten (x7)
                  Saginaw (x2)
                  Victory (x3)
                  Wolverine (x3)

Today, vessels arriving at the ore dock in the upper harbor have to take a
number.  Early this morning, the Charles Beeghly and the Herbert Jackson both
pulled into the ore dock.  The Beeghly is currently unload coal.  Both were 
followed by the Kaye Barker and the Michipicoten which both are currently 
anchored out in the upper harbor.  Meanwhile, strong southwest winds may be
creating havoc on Superior.  Shortly after noon today, the Arthur Anderson was
seen sailing east bound past Marquette from a western Superior port.  It appears
that the Anderson my have been using the south shore to find calmer sailing
waters.  Tomorrow, the only vessels scheduled to arrive as of this report is
the Wolverine. 

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