Saginaw River Vessel Passage
Saginaw River Vessel Passage

By Lon Morgan, Stephen Hause, Todd Shorkey and Brian Ferguson
 
November 18, 2009

The tug Zeus and her tank barge arrived on the Saginaw River 
Wednesday morning, calling on the Dow Chemical dock in Bay City 
to unload.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

November 16, 2009

The Saginaw River has been quiet for the past few days, so it was nice 
to see an old friend call on the river for the first time this season. Manistee was inbound on Monday headed upriver to unload at the Sargent 
dock in Zilwaukee. She completed her unload and was outbound for the 
lake Monday evening.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

November 12, 2009

The tug Dorothy Ann and barge Pathfinder arrived on the Saginaw 
River overnight and were unloading at the Bay Aggregates dock in 
Bay City on Thursday morning.  They completed their unload and 
were outbound for the lake by mid morning.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

November 9, 2009

The tug Olive L. Moore and barge Lewis J. Kuber were inbound early 
Sunday morning with a split load. The pair lightered at the Bay City 
Wirt Stone dock before continuing upriver to finish at the Saginaw 
Wirt dock.  The Moore & Kuber were outbound Sunday evening.

Reported by Todd Shorkey


October 29, 2009

Traffic has been brisk as of late on the Saginaw River.  On Tuesday, 
the tugs Steven Selvick and Krista S arrived with two barges of 
equipment for the Consumers Energy dock.  The pair departed on Thursday 
after unloading.  This is the fourth delivery to Consumers by Selvick 
tugs in the past few months.  Wednesday saw the arrival of the Calumet 
and and Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber.  Calumet unload at the Bay City 
Wirt dock, finishing up early Thursday morning, turning off the dock and departing for the lake.  Once she passed the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay 
City, the Moore & Kuber backed from the slip where they had unloaded 
overnight and also headed for the lake behind the Calumet.

Thursday morning saw the arrival of Algoma Marine vessels Agawa Canyon 
and Algorail.  The Canyon unloaded salt at the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee 
while the Algorail tied up just behind her at the Burroughs dock to wait 
her turn to unload at Sargent.  Agawa Canyon departed Thursday night 
headed for the lake and clearing the way for the Algorail to unload.  
This is Algorail's first visit of 2009 to the Saginaw River.

Reported by Todd Shorkey


October 27, 2009

The Walter J. McCarthy called on the Consumers Energy dock on Monday 
to unload coal.  She finished her unload and backed out into the Saginaw 
Bay to turn at Light 12 before heading for the for the lake.  On Tuesday, 
the Calumet called on the Sargent dock in Essexville to unload.  She 
had finished and turned off the dock to head for the lake by late 
Tuesday afternoon.

Reported by Todd Shorkey



October 20, 2009

The tug-barge combo Olive L. Moore-Lewis J. Kuber called on the 
Saginaw River early on Monday with a split load. The pair lightered 
at the Bay City Wirt dock, before continuing upriver to finish 
unloading at the Saginaw Wirt dock. The Moore & Kuber turned and 
were outbound for the lake later in the day.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

October 18, 2009

The Manitowoc arrived on the Saginaw River during the morning 
hours on Sunday and traveled upriver to the Burroughs dock in 
Zilwaukee. After unloading, she turned in the Sixth Street Basin 
and was outbound for the lake during the afternoon. This was the 
16th visit to the Saginaw River by the Manitowoc this season.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

October 15, 2009

The tug Barbara Andrie with her tank barge called on the Bit-Mat dock 
in Bay City on Wednesday.  She was followed by the Indiana Harbor, who 
called on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville.  Once unloaded, the 
Harbor backed from the dock and out to Light 12 in the Saginaw Bay to 
turn and head for the lake.  The Barbara Andrie and her barge were 
outbound early Thirsday morning after finishing their unload.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

October 13, 2009

The tug Olive L. Moore with the Lewis J. Kuber arrived on the 
Saginaw River on Monday with a split load.  The pair lightered 
at the Sargent dock in Essexville before moving upriver to finish 
at the Saginaw Rock Products dock in Saginaw.  The Moore and Kuber 
then turned in the Sixth Street basin and headed outbound for the 
lake.  On their way out, they passed the inbound Algoway who was 
headed to the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee to unload.  Once finished, 
the Algoway also turned at Sixth Street and headed for the lake 
Monday evening.  The tugs John M. Selvick and Krista S. were both 
outbound with their barges on Monday after calling on the Consumers 
Energy dock early on Sunday.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

October 11, 2009

The tug John M. Selvick & Krista S were back on the Saginaw River 
on Saturday with their third visit of the season to the Consumers 
Energy dock in Essexville.  The tugs and their barges have been 
delivering equipment to the facility since early in September.  
Both vessels were still at the dock as of late Sunday evening.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

October 9, 2009

The Calumet arrived on the Saginaw River on a very rainy Friday 
morning, calling on the Sargent dock in Essexville to unload.  
By early evening, she had completed her unload, turned and was 
headed outbound for the lake.  On her way out, Calumet passed her 
fleetmate, Manitowoc, who was inbound for the GM dock in Saginaw.  
Manitowoc was expected to be finished unloading and back outbound 
early Saturday morning.

Reported by Todd Shorkey


October 8, 2009

The tug Undaunted, pushing the barge Pere Marquette 41, entered the 
Saginaw River Thursday afternoon calling on the Bay Aggregates dock 
in Bay City.  The pair were unloading late into Thursday evening and 
were expected to be outbound very late Thursday or early Friday morning.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

September 27, 2009

The tug Zeus and her tank barge were inbound the Saginaw River 
late Sunday afternoon calling on the Dow Chemical in Bay City 
dock to unload.  Also inbound late Sunday was the American Century, 
calling on the Consumers Energy dock to unload coal.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

September 25, 2009

The Calumet called on the Sargent dock in Essexville on Thursday, 
dropping her entire cargo there, once finished she turned and was 
headed for the lake later in the day.  Also inbound on Thursday was 
the tug Gregory J. Busch and the deck barge STC 2004.  The pair 
called on the Bay Aggregates dock where they remained until late, 
when they continued upriver to their dock in Carrollton.  Outbound 
on Thursday were the tugs John M. Selvick and Steven Selvick along 
with their barges.  They had been unloading equipment at the 
Consumers Energy dock in Essexville.

Friday morning saw the Agawa Canyon inbound for the Sargent dock 
in Zilwaukee and the tug Olive L. Moore and barge Lewis J. Kuber 
with a split load for the Bay City and Saginaw Wirt Stone docks.  
The Agawa Canyon was outbound for the lake Friday evening, passing 
the upbound Moore & Kuber, at Sargent Zilwaukee.

Reported by: Todd Shorkey

September 23, 2009

The after unloading during the early morning hours on Tuesday, the 
Calumet and the Dorothy Ann - Pathfinder were outbound from the 
Saginaw River later in the morning.  Arriving early on Wednesday, 
the tug John M. Selvick and the tug Steven Selvick, each with a deck 
barge, called on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville.  Both barges 
carried large pieces of equipment for the power plant.  They remained 
at the dock late Wednesday night.  Also inbound on Wednesday were the 
tug & barge combo of the Olive L. Moore and Lewis J. Kuber.  The pair lightered at the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City, before continuing 
upriver during the afternoon to finish at the Buena Vista dock in 
Saginaw.  The Moore and Kuber were outbound late Wednesday evening.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

September 22, 2009

After spending the afternoon out in the Saginaw Bay waiting for 
water levels to come back up, the Algoway finally came into the 
river Monday night and traveled upriver to unload at the Sargent 
dock in Zilwaukee.  Not far behind the Algoway was the Dorothy Ann 
& Pathfinder, calling on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City to 
unload.  Overnight, the Calumet arrived, heading upriver to unload 
at the GM dock in Saginaw.

Algoway was preparing to depart the Sargent dock at 6am on Tuesday.  
The Dorothy Ann & Pathfinder were also expected to be outbould later 
in the morning.  

Reported by Todd Shorkey


September 19, 2009

The Calumet was inbound the Saginaw River late Friday, calling on the 
GM dock in Saginaw.  She finished her unload and was outbound Saturday morning, passing through Bay City during the afternoon.

The Saginaw River Marine Historical Society held their annual ride 
day on Saturday, allowing members to ride both the Hiawatha, which is 
the last operational Walking Beam Side-wheeler in the world. and the 
historic tug Jill Marie, which was built in 1891.  

Reported by Todd Shorkey

September 10, 2009

The Agawa Canyon was inbound early Thursday morning with a cargo of 
Salt for the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee.  She laid to at the Essroc 
Dock in Essexville to wait for the outbound Olive L. Moore & Lewis 
J. Kuber to clear, then resumed her trip upriver to Zilwaukee.  The 
Canyon completed her unload and was outbound for the lake Thursday 
evening.  Also outbound on Thursday were the Calumet River Fleeting 
tugs John M. Selvick and Krista S. along with two barges.  They had 
been unloading equipment over the past few days for the Consumers 
Energy power plant in Essexville.

Reported by Todd Shorkey




September 9, 2009

The tug John M. Selvick called on the Consumers Energy dock on 
Wednesday with a couple of barges of equipment for Consumers.  
She remained at the dock late Wednesday evening.

The Olive L. Moore and Lewis J. Kuber, workhorses of the Saginaw 
River, were back again on Wednesday with a split load.  The pair 
lightered at the Bay City Wirt dock before continuing upriver 
during the evening to finish unloading at the Saginaw Wirt dock.  
They were expected to be outbound Thursday morning.

Reported by Todd Shorkey


September 7, 2009

The Indiana Harbor made her first appearance of the season on 
the Saginaw River, arriving Sunday morning to unload coal at the 
Consumers Energy dock in Essexville. She completed her unload later 
in the day, backed from the dock out to entrance channel buoy 14, 
turned, and headed for the lake. Also inbound on Sunday was the 
Calumet with a split cargo for the Writ Stone docks in Bay City 
and Saginaw. After completed her unloads, she was outbound from 
the Sixth Street Basin in Saginaw early Monday morning.
The Olive L. Moore & Lewis J. Kuber were back again Monday morning, 
carrying a split load for the Sargent dock in Essexville and the Wirt 
Stone dock in Saginaw. The pair completed their unloads and were 
outbound for the lake from Sixth Street Monday night.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

September 5, 2009

The Olive L. Moore & Lewis J. Kuber called on the Bay Aggregates 
dock in Bay City on Saturday.  The pair unloaded there through the 
afternoon before departing and heading for the lake ealry Saturday 
evening.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

September 1, 2009

The Olive L. Moore & Lewis J. Kuber moved upriver overnight from 
the Sargent dock in Essexville to the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee to 
finish unloading.  As the pair vacated the Essexville dock, the 
Invincible & McKee Sons took their place to lighter, before continuing 
upriver to finish at the Saginaw Rock Products dock in Saginaw.  Both 
vessels were outbound during the day on Tuesday.

Reported by Todd Shorkey


August 31st, 2009

The H. Lee White made her first visit of 2009 to the Saginaw River 
on Sunday, calling on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City during the 
late morning.  Once unloaded, she backed from the slip and headed 
outbound for the lake later in the day.  Monday evening saw the Olive 
L. Moore & Lewis J. Kuber inbound for the Sargent dock in Essexville 
to unload.

Reported by Todd Shorkey


August 29, 2009

The tug Joyce L. Van Enkevort and barge Great Lakes Trader called on 
the Saginaw River Friday evening for their first visit of 2009.  They 
unloaded overnight at the Bay City Wirt dock, then, Saturday morning, 
backed from the dock, out of the river, and out to Light 12 in the bay 
to turn and head for the lake.  The pair passed the Water J. McCarthy, 
Jr. who was at the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville.  The McCarthy 
had arrived Saturday morning and was unloading coal.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

August 26, 2009

The Frontenac called on the Essroc dock in Essexville on Wednesday to 
unload clinker.  She completed her unload Thursday morning then backed 
from the river into the Saginaw Bay to turn at Light 12, before heading 
for the lake.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

August 25, 2009

The Calumet returned again on Tuesday after delivering a split 
cargo on Monday. This trip, Calumet traveled up to the Burroughs 
dock in Zilwaukee to unload. She was expected to be outbound early 
Wednesday morning.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

August 24, 2009

The Calumet arrived on the Saginaw River late Sunday night carrying a 
split load. She stopped at the Wirt Stone dock in Bay City to lighter 
before continuing upriver to finish at the Wirt dock in Saginaw. 
Calumet finished unloading early Monday morning, turned, and was 
outbound through Bay City around 10am.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

August 20, 2009

The Invincible-McKee Sons made their first trip of the year to the 
Saginaw River on Wednesday, going upriver to unload at the GM dock 
in Saginaw. The pair finished their unload and were outbound for the 
lake later in the day. On the outbound trip, they passed their fleetmate, Manitowoc, unloading at the Sargent dock in Essexville. Manitowoc 
unloaded there overnight and then turned in the Essexville turning 
basin before heading for the lake Thursday morning. Thursday evening 
saw the American Century call on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville 
to unload. She was expected to be outbound late Thursday night or early 
Friday morning.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

August 18, 2009

The Manitowoc was inbound Monday evening with a split load.  
She lightered at the Wirt Stone Dock in Bay City before proceeding 
upriver to finish at the Wirt dock in Saginaw.  Completing her unload 
Tuesday morning, Manitowoc turned in the Sixth Street basin and was 
outbound for the lake shortly after.

Reported by Todd Shorkey


August 15, 2009

The tug Zeus and her tank barge were inbound for the Dow Chemical 
dock in Bay City during the early morning hours of Saturday. The 
pair remained there through the day and into the late evening. Also 
inbound on Saturday was the tug G.L. Ostrander with the cement barge Integrity. The pair traveled upriver to the LaFarge Cement dock in 
Carrollton. They finished thier unload and were outbound for the 
lake late Saturday evening. This was both the first visit by the Ostrander/Integrity and the first to the LaFarge dock in 2009.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

August 9, 2009

The Michipicoten made a rare visit to the Saginaw River early 
Sunday morning, claaing on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City.  
She completed her unload and was outbound for the lake before 
sunrise.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

August 2, 2009

Saturday morning saw the arrival of the Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber 
with a spilt load for the Bay City & Saginaw Wirt Stone docks.  The pair lightered in Bay City and were then upbound for Saginaw before noon.  Finishing their unload in Saginaw, the Moore & Kuber turned at Sixth 
Street and were outbound for the lake Saturday night.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

August 1, 2009

As has been the trend so far in 2009, and for the past few years for that matter, vessel passages have been below average. For the month of July, there were 22 commercial vessel passages. This was three below last July and 10 below the five year average of 32.

For the year to date, there have been 78 comercial vessel passages. This is down 20 from last year at this point, and 46 below the five year average. If you look back to 2005, we are a whopping 95 vessel passages below where we were during the same time period. 

July 29, 2009

The tug Undaunted and barge Pere Marquette 41 entered the Saginaw River 
early Wednesday morning heading upriver to Saginaw. Her security call indicated the pair were headed to the Wirt Stone Dock to unload. They 
were still in the upper river late Wednesday night. The tug Karen Andrie 
and tank barge Endeavour remained at the Dow Chemical dock on Wednesday.

Reported by Todd Shorkey 

July 28, 2009

The American Century was inbound the Saginaw River early Tuesday 
morning, calling on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville to unload.  
She completed her unload later in the morning, backing from the dock 
and turning at Light 12, before heading for the lake.  The tug Karen
 Andrie and barge Endeavour finished unloading at the SEM Materials dock 
in Essexville on Tuesday, then turned and tied up at the Dow Chemical 
dock in Bay City.  They reported that they could be there a few days just 
like they were after their last trip when they unloaded at the Bit-Mat 
dock.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

July 27, 2009

The tug Karen Andrie was inbound the Saginaw River on Monday morning, 
pushing her tank barge, Endeavour.  The pair called on the SEM Materials 
dock in Essexville to unload.  They were expected to be outbound early 
Tuesday morning.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

July 26, 2009

Two vessels made their first appearances of the season on the Saginaw 
River on Friday. Maumee called on the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee, while 
the tug Dorothy Ann and barge Pathfinder called on the Bay Aggregates 
dock in Bay City. Both vessels were outbound during the day on Friday.

Reported by Todd Shorkey 

July 23, 2009

The tug Karen Andrie, with the tank barge Endeavour, departed the 
Dow Chemical dock in Bay City on Tuesday headed for the lake. The 
pair had arrived on July 14. American Century was inbound on Tuesday, 
calling on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville to unload coal. 
She was outbound early Wednesday morning. Inbound on Wednesday was 
the tug Olive L. Moore, with the barge Lewis J. Kuber. The pair 
lightered at the Bay City Wirt Stone dock before continuing upriver 
to finish unloading at the Wirt Stone dock in Saginaw. Moore and Kuber 
were expected to be outbound late Wednesday night or early Thursday 
morning.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

July 21, 2009

On Monday the tug Superior departed the Essroc dock in Essexville with 
Luedtke Derrick Boat 16 and two dump scows in tow, headed for the lake. Algoway called on the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee to unload as well. 
Tuesday saw the tug Karen Andrie and her tank barge, Endeavour, call 
in the Bit-Mat dock in Bay City. After unloading, they departed the 
slip and headed upriver to the Dow Chemical dock to turn and then tie 
up. As of Monday night on the 20th, the pair were still there, although 
they briefly departed the dock this morning and then returned to the 
dock. On Wednesday, Frontenac and American Century both called on the 
Saginaw River, unloading at a pair of Essexville docks. Frontenac 
unloaded at the Essroc dock, while the Century unloaded at the Consumers Energy dock. Thursday brought the tug Olive L. Moore and barge Lewis J. 
Kuber to the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City. The pair returned again on Sunday with a split load, unloading at the Bay City Wirt Stone dock and 
the GM dock in Saginaw. On Friday, Calumet arrived with a split load for 
the Sargent dock in Essexville and the Saginaw Rock Products dock in 
Saginaw. Finally, Saturday saw the arrival of Manitowoc with a split 
load for the Wirt Stone docks in Bay City and Saginaw. 

Reported by Todd Shorkey

July 12, 2009

The Robert S. Pierson was inbound for the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay 
City late Friday night. She had completed her unload and was outbound 
for the lake early Saturday morning.
On Sunday, the tug Kurt Luedtke was outbound from the Essroc Dock in Essexville, headed for the lake, towing a hydraulic dredge, spud barge 
and 750 feet of dredge pipe. The tug Superior was inbound on Sunday 
headed upriver to pick up another barge. On her trip back downbound 
Sunday afternoon, the Superior hooked a log in the channel, getting 
hung up on her Kort nozzle and the barge nosing in towards the east 
bank of the river. The tug Jill Marie was summoned to assist in getting 
the pair free, but tug Superior was able to free herself on her own 
before the Jill Marie arrived. USCG Station Saginaw River was in contact 
with the Superior during the incident and after talking with Sector 
Detroit, the Superior was asked to dock before heading out to the lake 
so a crew from Sector Detroit could come aboard. The tug and barge 
stopped at the Essroc dock in Essexville to wait.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

July 10, 2009

The tug Gregory J. Busch & barge STC2004 made their final trips out 
to the OXL Lotus on Friday, finishing the transfer of cargo destined 
for the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville.  The OXL Lotus had arrived 
in the Saginaw Bay on July 3rd and by Friday evening, 7 days after 
arriving, she was finally outbound for the lake once again.  The Busch 
and her barge headed back upriver to the Busch Marine dock in Carrollton Friday evening as well.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

July 9, 2009

The tug G-tug Superior was outbound Thursday morning with two barges 
from the upper river dredging project. Superior had arrived Wednesday 
morning. The tug Gregory J. Busch made two more trips out to OXL Lotus 
on Thursday, continuing the shuttle back and for between the vessel 
and the Consumers Energy dock. 

Reported by Todd Shorkey

July 8, 2009

Over Tuesday and Wednesday, the tug Gergory J. Busch, with barge 
STC 2004, made two more trips out to the OXL Lotus to transfer cargo 
and returned back to Consumers Energy to unload.  As of Wednesday 
night, the tug and barge were back out in the Saginaw Bay at the OXL 
Lotus for the forth time.  The G-tug, Superior, arrived on the Saginaw 
River Wednesday morning and traveled upriver to the Luedtke dredging 
operation on the upper Saginaw.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

July 6, 2009

Traffic on the Saginaw River remained steady over the holiday weekend 
with a number of vessel passages.  The SCS Greyfox departed for the 
lake early Sunday morning after spending the past week docked in 
downtown Bay City. 
 
On Monday morning, the tug Gregory J. Busch and her barge, STC 2004, 
traveled from their dock in Carrollton out to the anchored vessel OXL 
Lotus out in the Saginaw Bay.  During the day, cargo was transferred 
from the OXL Lotus to the barge and then brought in to the Consumers 
Energy dock later in the day.  As of 9 pm Monday night, The Gregory J. 
Busch and her barge were still at the Consumers dock and the OXL Lotus 
was still anchored out in the Saginaw Bay.  It was reported that the 
Lotus, who had arrived on Friday, was unable to make it to the Consumers 
dock due to her deep draft.

The Olive L. Moore – Lewis J. Kuber were inbound on Sunday with a 
split load for the Bay City and Saginaw Wirt Stone docks.  After 
unloading, the pair was outbound for the lake early Monday morning.  
The Algoway was also inbound on Sunday, calling on the Sargent dock 
in Zilwaukee for her second trip there this week.  Algoway was outbound 
late Monday morning.

Reported by: Todd Shorkey

July 2, 2009

Shipping numbers on the Saginaw River for June were fairly consistent 
with the numbers for the same period last year.  In June 2008, there 
were 28 commercial deliveries as compared to 24 deliveries in 2009.  
When you look at the number year to date, there is more of a discrepancy: 
56 so far in 2009 as compared to 73 in 2008.

In other news, dredging continues on the upper Saginaw from the Sixth 
Street turning basin to the disposal area just above the airport turning basin.  The Greyfox continues to give short excursions in the mornings 
and tours in the afternoons while she is docked in Downtown Bay City at Wenonah Park.  The Greyfox will be departing Bay City on Sunday morning.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

June 27, 2009

The SCS Greyfox arrived on the Saginaw River Saturday afternoon tying up 
at the Dow Chemical dock in Essexville for the night.  Once the "Bay City River Roar boat races end on Sunday, the Greyfox will make her way up to Wenonah Park in Downtown Bay City to tie up through the 4th of July 
weekend.  This is the annual stop for the Greyfox to help raise funds to 
bring the USS Edson museum ship to Bay City.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

June 26, 2009

The American Integrity was inbound the Saginaw River late Thursday 
night headed for the Consumer Energy dock in Essexville. After unloading 
coal, she backed from the dock early Friday morning, backing out to 
lights 13 & 14 to turn and head for the lake. The Frontenac was inbound 
Friday morning calling on the Essroc dock in Essexville. She unloaded 
clinker and then backed from the dock and out into the Saginaw Bay to 
turn at Light 12 and head for the lake. This was the first visit by 
both vessels and the first delivery to the Essroc this season.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

June 23, 2009

The tug Olive L. Moore with the barge Lewis J. Kuber departed the 
Wirt dock in Saginaw late Tuesday afternoon and were outbound through 
the last Bay City bridge around 10:30 pm, headed for the lake. The pair 
had arrived with a split load on Monday.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

June 22, 2009

Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber were back on the Saginaw River again 
with a split cargo for the Bay City and Saginaw Wirt Stone docks. The 
pair lightered in Bay City early on Monday before heading up to Saginaw 
to finish. They were expected to be outbound early Tuesday morning. Also, 
the tug Fischer Hayden was outbound Monday afternoon from the Bay 
Aggregates dock with a crane barge.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

June 21, 2009

The tug Superior was inbound the Saginaw River overnight, arriving with 
a spud barge.  Radio traffic indicated that the Superior was swapping 
out equipment for Luedtke Engineering, who is doing dredging work on 
the Saginaw River.  The tug was outbound for the lake Sunday afternoon.  
The Calumet was inbound early Sunday morning heading up to the Sargent 
dock in Zilwaukee.  Strong currents in the Saginaw River from recent 
heavy rains put the tug Gregory J. Busch to work to assist the Calumet 
make her turn up in the Sixth Street turning basin.  Once turned, Calumet 
was outbound for the lake Sunday evening.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

June 20, 2009

The tug Olive L. Moore and barge Lewis J. Kuber were inbound the 
Saginaw River Friday morning with a split load.  The pair lightered 
at the Bay City Wirt Stone Dock before contuining upriver to finish 
the unload at the Saginaw Wirt Stone Dock.  The Moore and Kuber were 
outbound for the lake passing through Bay City late Saturday evening.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

June 16, 2009

Monday saw the arrival of the American Century and the Agawa Canyon 
on the Saginaw River.  The American Century delivered coal to the 
Consumers Energy dock in Essexville, then backed out to Lights 13 & 14 
to turn and head to the lake.  She passed the inbound Agawa Canyon, who 
called on the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee.  The Canyon was then outbound 
late Tuesday morning after finishing her unload.

The tug Fisher Hayden departed the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City 
Tuesday evening with a crane barge in tow.  It was not known when the 
tug arrived.

Reported by: Todd Shorkey

June 14, 2009

The Manitowoc was inbound the Saginaw River Sunday morning, traveling 
upriver to unload at the Burroughs dock in Zilwaukee. She had completed 
her unload by Sunday evening, turned in the Sixth Street turning basin, 
and was outbound for the lake. She passed through Bay City around 10:30pm.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

June 11, 2009

The Saginaw River saw several visitors on Wednesday and Thursday.  
The Algoway arrived early Wednesday morning to unload at the Sargent 
dock in Zilwaukee.  She was followed later in the day by the Sam Laud 
and the Calumet.  The Laud called on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay 
City, while the Calumet traveled upriver to unload at the GM dock in 
Saginaw.  

The tug Zeus and her tank barge were outbound on Wednesday, after 
unloading at the Dow Chemical dock in Bay City.  The Algoway and Sam 
Laud were also both outbound on Wednesday.  The Calumet was outbound 
early Thursday morning.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

June 9, 2009

The tug Zeus and her tank barge were inbound Tuesday evening, 
calling on the Dow Chemical dock in Bay City to unload.  The pair 
were expected to be outbound sometime on Wednesday.  Following minutes 
behind was the American Century with a load of coal for the Consumer 
nergy dock in Essexville.   She was planning to depart around 11:30 pm, backing out to buoys 13 & 14 to turn around and head for the lake.  
The Algoway was also rounding the tip of the thumb around 10pm, making 
her way towards the Saginaw River.  She was in contact with the Century planning on where to meet out in the Saginaw Bay.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

June 7, 2009

Saturday morning saw the Manitowoc outbound from the Saginaw Wirt 
Stone dock where she had unloaded overnight.  Following a few minutes 
behind was the Olive L. Moore with the Lewis J. Kuber, who had unloaded 
at the Saginaw Rock Products dock in Saginaw.  Late Friday night, the 
Calumet was inbound, bound for the GM Dock in Saginaw to unload coal.  
She finished her unload and was outbound on Saturday.  Calumet, on her 
trip out of the river, passed the upbound Gregory J. Busch and her 
barge who had departed from the Bay Aggregates dock and were oubound 
for the Busch Marine dock in Carrollton.

On Sunday morning, the Mississagi was inbound on her first trip of the 
year up the Saginaw, headed to the Buena Vista dock in Saginaw.  She 
completed her unload and was outbound for the lake Sunday evening.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

June 5, 2009

There were a number of vessel movements on the Saginaw River on Friday. 
The Tug Gregory J. Busch and her barge called on the Bay Aggregates dock 
in Bay City during the morning. Friday afternoon saw the tug Olive L. 
Moore and her barge, Lewis J. Kuber arrive with a split load. The pair lightered at the Sargent dock in Essexville before heading upriver a 
few hours later to finish unloading at the Saginaw Rock Products dock 
in Saginaw. Following shortly behind the Moore-Kuber was the Manitowoc. 
She called on the Wirt Stone dock in Bay City early Friday evening.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

June 2, 2009

The Agawa Canyon arrived on the Saginaw River early Monday morning, 
traveling up to the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee to unload. She was back 
outbound for the lake later in the day. 

On Tuesday, the tug Gregory J. Busch, pushing a deck barge, was 
outbound from the Saginaw River on the way out to the lake. 

Reported by Todd Shorkey

May 31, 2009

It has been a few days since there has been any commercial traffic 
on the Saginaw River, but that changed Sunday morning with the arrival 
of the Calumet. Carrying a split load, Calumet lightered at the Bay City 
Wirt dock before heading upriver to finish at the Saginaw Wirt Stone 
dock. She departed the Wirt Saginaw dock around 7pm, turned at Sixth 
Street and was outbound for the lake.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

May 27, 2009

After three days of inactivity on the Saginaw River, Wednesday evening 
saw the arrival of the Robert S. Pierson. She traveled the short distance 
up the river to the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City to unload. The 
Pierson finished her unload around 9:30pm and was headed back outbound 
for the lake shortly after. 

Reported by Todd Shorkey

May 24, 2009

Saturday saw the arrival of two familiar visitors. The tug Olive L. 
Moore and barge Lewis J. Kuber arrived Saturday morning with a split 
load for the Sargent Stone dock in Essexville and the Saginaw Rock 
Products dock in Saginaw. Following behind the Moore & Kuber was 
the Manitowoc, who had a split cargo for the Bay City and Wirt Stone 
docks. Manitowoc completed her unload and was outbound from the Sixth 
Street turning basin on Saturday evening. The Moore & Kuber spent the 
night in Essexville before heading upriver Sunday morning around 7am 
headed for Saginaw Rock. The pair had finished their unload and were 
outbound for the lake, passing through Bay City early Sunday evening.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

May 22, 2009

The tug Olive L. Moore & the barge Lewis J. Kuber were inbound 
late Wednesday night with a split load for the Bay City and Saginaw 
Wirt Stone docks. On her way in, she passed the outbound Agawa Canyon, 
who had unloaded at the Saginaw Rock Products dock. The Moore and 
Kuber were outbound on Thursday after unloading. Thursday also saw 
the arrival of the Manitowoc with another split load for the Bay City 
and Saginaw Wirt docks. The Manitowoc was back outbound for the lake 
early Friday morning. 

Reported by Todd Shorkey

May 20, 2009

Tuesday on the Saginaw River saw the Manitowoc inbound, traveling 
upriver to unload at the GM dock in Saginaw. She finished her unload 
and was headed back for the lake early Wednesday morning. On her way 
out, the Manitowoc passed the inbound Agawa Canyon just above the 
Veteran's Memorial Bridge in Bay City. The Canyon continued all the 
way up to the Saginaw Rock Products dock in Saginaw to unload. She 
was expected to be outbound late Wednesday evening. The tug Barbara 
Andrie and barge A-390 moved from the Bit-Mat dock on Tuesday after 
unloading there. She moved the short distance up to the Dow Chemical 
dock to make up for their trip out to the lake. After spending the 
night there Tuesday, the pair were outbound for the lake Wednesday 
afternoon. 

Reported by Todd Shorkey

May 18, 2009

The Olive L. Moore with the Lewis J. Kuber were back again on Monday 
with another split cargo for the Bay City and Saginaw Wirt Stone docks. 
The pair arrived at the Bay City dock late in the morning to lighter 
before heading upriver to Saginaw early in the afternoon. They were 
expected to be outbound late Monday night. Tug tug Barbara Andrie and 
her tank barge, A-390, were also inbound Monday morning, calling on 
the Bit-Mat dock in Bay City to unload. The tug and her barge were 
also expected to be outbound late Monday night or early Tuesday morning.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

May 17, 2009

The Robert S. Pierson was inbound the Saginaw River late Saturday 
night, traveling upriver to unload at the Buena Vista dock in Saginaw. 
Turning in the Sixth Street basin Sunday morning, the Pierson was 
outbound passing through Bay City just before 10am. Sunday night saw 
the Sam Laud call on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City. This is the 
first visit by an American Steamship vessel so far in 2009. The Laud 
is expected to be outbound early Monday morning.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

May 16, 2009

The Calumet was back again on Saturday, this time with a split 
load for the Bay City and Saginaw Wirt Stone docks. She was 
expected to be outbound late Saturday evening. This was the fifth 
delivery to the Wirt dock in the past five days. There have been 
two apiece by the Manitowoc and Olive L. Moore/Lewis J. Kuber, 
and today's by the Calumet.

The Robert S. Pierson was inbound late Saturday night. Her security 
call stated she was headed up to the Buena Vista dock in Saginaw 
to unload. 

Reported by Todd Shorkey

May 15, 2009

Traffic remained steady on the Saginaw River on Thursday and Friday. 
Calumet was inbound Thursday with a split load. She stopped at the 
Sargent dock in Essexville to lighter and then continued upriver to 
finish unloading at the Saginaw Rock Products dock in Saginaw. Calumet 
was outbound Friday morning, passing the inbound Olive L. Moore & Lewis 
J. Kuber and the Manitowoc out in the Saginaw Bay. The Moore & Kuber 
lightered at the Bay City Wirt dock before heading upriver to finish 
at the Saginaw Wirt dock. Manitowoc did the same, lightering at Bay 
City Wirt once the Kuber cleared the dock, and then headed upriver to 
finish at Saginaw Wirt. The Olive L. Moore & Lewis J. Kuber were outbound 
late Friday night. Manitowoc was expected to be outbound late Friday 
night or early Saturday morning. 

Reported by Todd Shorkey

May 13, 2009

Split cargos were the rule of the day on Tuesday and Wednesday as 
three vessels called on the Saginaw River delivering to four different 
docks. The Calumet was inbound Tuesday morning lightering at the Sargent 
dock in Essexville before moving upriver to finish her unload at the 
Saginaw Rock Products dock in Saginaw. Following the Calumet, the tug 
Olive L. Moore, with the Lewis J. Kuber, arrived with product for the 
Bay City and Saginaw Wirt Stone Docks. The Manitowoc was inbound 
Wednesday morning, and like the Moore-Kuber, she also unloaded at the 
Bay City and Saginaw Wirt docks. Calumet was outbound Tuesday afternoon 
with the Moore & Kuber outbound Wednesday morning, and Manitowoc 
outbound Wednesday evening.

Rpoerted by Todd Shorkey

May 10, 2009

The Olive L. Moore & Lewis J. Kuber lightered at the Bay 
Aggregates dock Saturday night before continuing upriver to 
finish unloading at the Buena Vista dock in Saginaw. The pair 
then turned in the Sixth Street basin and were outbound for 
the lake late Sunday morning. The tug Barbara Andrie and her 
tank barge made their way inbound for the Bit-Mat dock in Bay 
City early Sunday morning. She had waited for the Moore and 
Kuber to depart the Bay Aggregates dock as the slip there is 
shared by both Bay Agg. and Bit-Mat docks.

Dredging has begun on the Saginaw River starting at the end of 
the navigatible channel at the Sixth Street turning basin. The 
tug Kurt Luedtke began shuttling barges of dredging spoils brought 
up from the Luedtke Derrick Barge 16 at the Sixth Street basin down 
to the new disposal site just above the airport turning basin, where 
the hydraulic dredge, Lucille T, is unloading them.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

May 9, 2009

The Olive L. Moore & Lewis J. Kuber were inbound the Saginaw River 
Saturday night. The pair was passing the Front Range around 8:15pm 
on their way upriver to the Bay Aggregates dock to unload. The Moore 
and Kuber were expertly backed into the tricky slip a short time later 
with no problems and were expected to depart early Sunday morning.

Meanwhile, the tug Barbara Andrie was out in the Saginaw Bay, most 
likely waiting for the Moore & Kuber to depart Bay Aggregates so 
she could take their place in the slip to unload at the Bit-Mat dock.

Reported by Todd Shorkey 

May 8, 2009

The Manitowoc was inbound the Saginaw River Friday night, heading 
upriver to unload at the Burroughs dock in Zilwaukee.  She is expected 
to be outbound sometime on Saturday morning.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

April 26, 2009

A strong current and stormy weather caused delays over the weekend 
for two vessels on the Saginaw River. Agawa Canyon, which delivered 
a load of salt to the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee on Thursday, had to 
wait until Saturday evening before it could finally depart the river.
 
The vessel had remained tied up near the Sixth Street turning basin 
throughout the day Friday, waiting for a strong current in the upper 
river to subside. The Canyon  finally completed its turn on Saturday 
morning. It appeared to have exercised the maneuver by backing the 
stern into the basin. The tug Gregory J. Busch, which was standing 
by to assist Olive L. Moore and barge Lewis J. Kuber in turning, 
offered assistance to the Canyon, but the Canadian ship was able to 
turn on its own.
 
The Moore-Kuber had been waiting at the Wirt Stone Dock after 
delivering a split load overnight to the Wirt docks in Bay City 
and Saginaw. Once the Canyon was clear, the tug-barge combination 
went up the river at about noon Saturday to turn with the assistance 
of the Busch.
 
Both vessels were unable to leave the river immediately, however, 
due to stormy weather on Saturday afternoon. The Agawa Canyon got as 
far as Bay City and tied up at the old Bay Aggregates dock downtown. 
The Moore-Kuber waited back at the Wirt dock in Saginaw during the 
afternoon, getting underway again after 5 p.m. The Agawa Canyon 
followed the other vessel out of the river later on Saturday evening.

Reported by Steve Hause

April 23, 2009

Last season's most frequent visitor, the tug Olive L. Moore and 
barge Lewis J Kuber, called on the Saginaw River Wednesday morning.  
The pair unloaded at the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City and then 
departed for the lake later in the evening.  The Agawa Canyon traveled 
upriver on Wednesday going to the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee to unload 
salt.  She departed the dock for the Sixth Street turning basin 
Thursday morning, but as of this report, is still at the turning 
basin and has not departed.  It is not known weather a mechanical 
problem or some other condition has prevented their departure.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

April 21, 2009

Tuesday evening saw the arrival of a unfamiliar visitor in the 
Dann Marine Towing tug, Zeus.  The Zeus arrived with the tank 
barge Robert F. Deegan and traveled upriver for the Dow Chemical 
dock in Bay City to unload.  The pair was expected to be outbound 
during the day Wednesday.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

April 20, 2009

The Manitowoc was back on the Saginaw River for the second time 
in as many days, traveling upriver to the GM dock in Saginaw late 
Sunday night to unload.  She finished unloading, turned in the 
Sixth Street basin and was outbound through Bay City early in the 
afternoon on Monday.

Reported by Todd Shorkey

April 18, 2009

The 2009 shipping season opened on the Saginaw River early Saturday 
morning with the arrival of the Manitowoc.  This is twenty one days 
later than the start of the 2008 season, but there were only six 
vessel passages by this point as compared to last year, so it really 
hasn't been much slower.  The Manitowoc was upbound through Bay City 
around 7am headed upriver to unload at the Wirt Stone dock in 
Saginaw.  It is possible that she may have lightered at the Bay City 
Wirt dock earlier in the morning.  Manitowoc was outbound for the 
lake Saturday afternoon.

The US Coast Guard Cutter Hollyhock arrived on Friday to work aids 
to navigation out in the Saginaw Bay.  She tied up overnight at the 
Dow Chemical dock in Bay City, worked aids again on Saturday and was 
outbound towards the lake just ahead of the Manitowoc on Saturday 
afternoon.

March 27, 2009

The tug Gregory J. Busch and her barge, STC 2004, got underway 
Friday night, heading upriver from the Burroughs dock in Zilwaukee, 
Mich., to the Busch Marine dock in Carrollton. The pair had spent 
the winter at Burroughs. 

Reported by Todd Shorkey


Return to top of page


Return Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping       Return to vessel passages index