Saltwater ships frequently anchor off Duluth-Superior while waiting to load grain. Although the vessels may look idle, work must still be done to prepare their cargo holds to receive grain and clear the ships for arrival in port. This work often involves the ship’s agent, agricultural inspectors and inspectors from a cargo bureau, such as National
Cargo Bureau. Here are several images from a boarding party to Spar Jade, a 590-foot saltie that dropped anchor off Duluth on September 23, 2000 and is scheduled to arrive at the AGP grain elevator on September 26, 2000.