Locks Open; Munson Now Back Underway

UPDATE 1:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: With engine repairs completed, the Munson has resumed her trip to Marquette, MI, to load ore.

UPDATE 11 A.M. WEDNESDAY: Tugs Colorado and Cheraw broke ice at the far end of the West Pier so the Colorado could assist the disabled Munson to the dock, where she is now moored. With the Munson out of the channel, upbound traffic has resumed starting with the Paul R. Tregurtha and Kathy McKeil next. Mesabi Miner will be the first downbounder for the season.

UPDATE 8 A.M. WEDNESDAY: The Soo Locks opened for the season as expected at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. However the John G. Munson, which was the third to lock up, is now stopped above the locks, with social media suggesting she lost power. The Great Lakes Towing Co,. tug Colorado was headed up to assist. Traffic has been halted until the situation is resolved.

ORIGINAL REPORT: SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – With the tug-barge Dirk S. VanEnkevort

/Michigan Trader having the honor of being the first transit of the season, the Soo Locks were expected to open on schedule at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. Edwin H. Gott will be next, followed by John G. Munson.

Dirk S. VanEnkevort/Michigan Trader pulled in to the harbor Monday afternoon and was the first to arrive at the locks, which is why she was the first passage. On Tuesday, a group of local officials visited the Dirk to present the captain and crew with plaques and First Boat baseball caps. Soo Mayor Don Gerrie read a proclamation and Linda Hoath, president of the Soo Convention and Visitors Bureau and member of the Soo Locks Visitor Center Association, presented the plaque. A blessing of the fleet ceremony was also offered, after which coffee and dessert waas served in the galley. Later in the evening the Soo Locks Visitor Center Association hosted a members-only reception at the Visitor Center which was attended by about 70 people, including the captain and some Dirk S. crewmembers.

The upbound Paul R. Tregurtha stopped at Nine Mile Point Tuesday night after battling ice in the vicinity of Stribling Point most of the day. She was finally freed with the help of USCG icebreakers. Behind her were Kathy McKeil, CSL Welland, Evans Spirit, Stewart J. Cort and James R. Barker, also stopped for the night.

Joseph L. Block left Milwaukee Tuesday headed to Marquette.