Sundew docked in the Soo on July 23. [Roger LeLievre]

Grand Haven, a small city on the coast of Lake Michigan between Holland and Muskegon, is home to a U.S. Great Lakes Coast Guard station located at the foot of the Grand River. The base is home to the nation’s largest Coast Guard festival, a massive 10-day event honoring past service members.

The festival began Thursday, July 23, with regular events scheduled until its finale on Aug. 1.

After more than 100 years, Grand Haven’s historic Coast Guard Festival brings new attractions for the public to enjoy on one of the Mitten’s finest lakeshores. Eventgoers enjoy a range of experiences around the town – including live music, a fireworks show and tours of current and retired USCG vessels, one of which has unexpected origins.

What originally began in 1924 as a personnel-only picnic, where the local Coast Guard station held a slew of rowing competitions for its service members, the festival has since grown to a draw of more than 350,000 people – including some of the Coast Guard’s highest dignitaries from Washington, DC.

The newest addition is brought to festivalgoers thanks to Rosie the Riveter and a Minnesota Trucking magnate: the restored U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sundew, an ice-breaking buoy tender built during World War II, will make the journey from its current home at Superior, WI, on Lake Superior, for visitors to tour.

First commissioned to Lake Superior in 1944, the ship was restored by current owner Jeff Foster, a former trucking executive. Foster, who took the keys to the ship in 2009, bought it at auction after some time as a floating museum following its retirement.

Foster suggested to that he thinks the vessel’s long life could be attributed to the craftsmanship of the women who worked in the Minnesota shipyards during World War II.

“My wife likes to say the Sundew is in such good shape because Rosie the Riveter worked on her,” he said.

Festivalgoers can expect a full lineup of family-friendly events including a 5k and 10k run, parades, fireworks, live music and more in honor of Coast Guard members and their service.

For tickets and more information, click here.

Northern News Now

Tugs work to free Algoma Equinox. [CJ Taylor via Facebook]

NOON UPDATE: Efforts are underway today to free the Algoma Equinox. The cargo ship left the Cargill Dock Tuesday around 3 pm and became stuck in the shallow area by the Sidney Smith dock according to Jared Lean, the Sarnia Harbour operator, in a letter to City of Sarnia staff.

“From my perspective would say this is the Captain’s error for navigating too close to the shallow area. I’m uncertain if the weather/wind at the time were a contributing factor as there was a storm coming in,” Lean added.

Lean says the stern of the vessel is stuck and two tugs have been contracted to push the vessel free. “To free the vessels will require the vessel to shift ballast water to the bow to take weight off the stern. Likely additional tugs will be contracted from either Windsor or Goderich to assist in pushing the vessel free,” Lean says in the email. It’s not clear how long that might take.

Canadian Coast Guard officials are also on the scene to monitor for any damages or environmental concerns. The Sidney Smith Wharf is closed but Lean says no vessels were scheduled there right now so there is no immediate impact to harbour operations.

The Independent, Lambton, ON

ORIGINAL REPORT: SARNIA, ON – Shortly after departing the grain elevator at Sarnia Tuesday afternoon, the Algoma Central Corp. bulk carrier Algoma Equinox ran aground on a shoal just off the Sidney E. Smith dock. The local tugs Welland and Pride were unsuccessful in early attempts to free the vessel. A strong NW wind may have contributed to the grounding, lowering water levels.

Voices at the Valley Camp.

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – The Voices at The Valley Camp event, held this past Saturday, July 18, aboard the Museum Ship Valley Camp in Sault Ste. Marie, raised nearly $10,000 for the International Ship Master’s Association (ISMA) Scholarship Fund.

“There were 170 people in attendance and we raised $9,435. More will be added as I sell through the remaining Voices ballcaps and the programs,” said Andrea Guerriero, the Sault Ste. Marie, ON-based ISMA member who organized the event.

The funds raised go toward four ISMA scholarships of $1,500 each that are given annually to maritime cadets and working mariners from the U.S. and Canada. Because Guerriero lined up 18 sponsors for the event, all money raised by the ticket sales and auction items will go to fund the scholarships.

Voices at The Valley Camp featured a panel of Great Lakes captains that included:

Capt. Bob Thibaudeau, retired from the Paul R. Tregurtha, the longest freighter on the Great Lakes
Capt. Joe Ruch, retired from the Hon. James L. Oberstar
Capt. Mark Mather, retired from the Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader articulated tug/barge
Capt. Sam Buchanan, senior captain of the JW Wescott mail boat
Capt. TJ Pryor, from the Algoma Buffalo
Capt. Joe Walters of the U.S. Geological Survey Research Vessel Kiyi
Capt. Paul C LaMarre III of the tug America, and director of the Port of Monroe, and president of the American Great Lakes Ports Association

Guerriero said she plans to make this an annual event.

The saltwater vessel Onego Otra ran aground on June 30 on the St. Lawrence River near the Île Saint-Ours in Contrecoeur, QC. It had departed from Montreal enroute to New Orleans at around 3 p.m. Almost two weeks after the incident, lightering operations began using the vessel’s own cranes on June 11. Ocean Group tugs were deployed for ship lightening and barge transport. According to the Canadian Coast Guard, a rudder problem was the cause of the grounding.

Onego Otra lightering operation. [Canadian Coast Guard]

Both steel scows are identically constructed, measuring roughly 200′ long by 35′ wide with a deep 14′ hull. BIG 503 is covered using heavy, roll-away steel covers. BIG 543 has an uncovered, open-deck layout that allows for rapid overhead layout.

Once dropped off in Sorel, Ocean Group tugs will take over the barges to continue lightering operations, significantly speeding up the transfer of bulk cargo.

Janey Anderson  – Ship Junkies – Lakes, Locks & Rivers (LL&R)

SUPERIOR, WI – The steamer WIlfred Sykes departed Fraser Shipyards Saturday. She had been under repairs to her hull after striking bottom making the dock at Drummond Island in early June. She was escorted by the tug Missouri and is headed for Marquette to load.

Wilfred Sykes departing Superior on Saturday with tug Missouri escorting. [Randy Wolf]

MILWAUKEE, WI – A couple decades ago, it would be rare to find someone who had experienced the Great Lakes by sailing. Fast-forward to 2026? The Great Lakes are having a moment as cruise expeditions to our region explode.

Viking Polaris arriving at Milwaukee recently. [Port Milwaukee]

The Viking Polaris sparkles as you enter. It’s built specifically for an exploding industry, cruising on the Great Lakes.

Pools? Yeah they’ve got that. Fresh food? It’s available 24 hours a day. Amenities onboard include a library curated by a bookstore in London, a snow grotto where guests can rub snow on their bodies that falls from the ceiling, multiple restaurants and more. But one of the most surprising features in this lap of luxury is the 380-square-foot room that may impact you whether you sign up for a cruise or not.

“It’s very unusual for a ship like this to have a science lab and a science team,” said Meghan Goggins.

As the chief scientist onboard, Goggins, an England native, walks us through some of the research she is leading on the water in our backyard.

“I think the Great Lakes is an under recognized ecosystem,” she said. “People aren’t aware about these ecosystems, and the Great Lakes has so much to offer.”

Goggins spent years living and working on remote islands in Antarctica and now leads guests in helping her collect and analyze water samples on all five Great Lakes, and research microplastics and invasive species. All with plenty of tools to help her and those onboard.

“We’re a ship of opportunity.  We have a whole suite of instruments that we utilize onboard,” said Goggins.

The Viking Polaris is equipped with underwater drones that can investigate shipwrecks, a submarine to explore the lake bottom, and with her sister ship the Octantis, they are the only commercial ships in the world that releases weather balloons.  Goggins said it’s helping forecast in remote areas of the Great Lakes.

“Quite often, people think weather is unpredictable. Often, there’s a lack of data in those weather systems, so by releasing these balloons in these remote areas, we can contribute to improving the accuracy of the weather forecasts,” said Goggins.

If you haven’t noticed by now, those who board the Viking expedition ships may be looking for a different kind of cruise ship experience. And the ships aren’t the only things that are new.

“We’re standing on the new cruise ship platform out here in Lake Michigan,” Benji Timm, Port Milwaukee director, said with a smile.

It may not look like much now, but Timm showed off a future $17 million project where the largest cruise ships on the Great Lakes, like the Viking ships, will dock as early as August.

“This is going to be a 50,000-square-foot platform which is not insignificant. And it’s going to serve the vessels that call here,” said Timm.

Great Lakes cruising broke records last year for visitors.

Port Milwaukee welcomed the Viking Polaris on Thursday, April 23 – the first cruise ship to call on the city for the 2026 season.

“And this year is going to exceed that by three times. I think it’s a new frontier,” Timm said

Eight ships from six companies will make 64 visits to Milwaukee, bringing in more than 20,000 visitors. Some will explore our inland sea between Norwegian spa treatments from the snow grotto. For scientists onboard, they’re hoping to make a lasting impact.

“There’s so much to learn on the Great Lakes. Every time I’m here, I learn something new,” said Goggins.

Fox 6 Milwaukee – Read more and watch on-board videos here

https://www.fox6now.com/news/milwaukee-great-lakes-cruises-scientific-research

ST. IGNACE, MI – An Arnold Transit classic ferry that had been missing from the Mackinac Island fleet is now done with its big overhaul and is back on the water. The Straits of Mackinac II is part of Arnold’s Classic Ferry lineup – the cruise-style slower boats that give you that vintage experience as you’re motoring from the mainland to the island and back.

The Straits II returned to passenger duty last month after a long list of mechanical upgrades. The work included:
• New John Deere 6135 marine engines

Classic ferry Straits of Mackinac II. [Arnold Transit Co.]

“The Straits of Mackinac II is an important part of our fleet and our history,” said Drew May, Arnold’s general manager. “These upgrades allow us to maintain the character of the vessel while investing in the technology and reliability needed to serve passengers well into the future. It’s the best of both worlds—classic experience above deck and modern performance below.”

This ferry overhaul is one of several major boat renovation and mechanical upgrade projects Hoffmann Marine has undertaken since in purchased Arnold’s fleet in 2024. Hoffmann also also owns the neighboring Shepler’s ferry line to Mackinac.

The Straits of Mackinac II was built in 1969. It can carry nearly 300 passengers. The Straits II will run with the Classic Ferry fleet through at least Sept. 6. The nostalgic boats offer rides that are a little slower than the typical fast ferry runs – and have ticket prices that are a little lower, too.

The trio of boats running as the Classic Ferry lineup includes the Ottawa, the Straits of Mackinac II and the West Shore. Classic Ferry service is only available from Arnold’s Classic Dock in St. Ignace. Arnold’s Mackinaw City Dock runs the fast ferries.

M Live
Read more here:

TOLEDO, OH – Join the National Museum of the Great Lakes for the inaugural Great Lakes Mariner Meet-Up – a weekend dedicated to reconnecting the people who know life on the lakes best. The museum is inviting everyone who’s on the Great Lakes to this special gathering for current and former mariners to come together to share stories, revisit familiar spaces, and celebrate the community built on the Inland Seas.

Weekend Highlights
Saturday, August 15
2–5 p.m. | Department Meet-Ups Across the Fleet
Step back into your role and reconnect with your people. From the engine room to the pilothouse, mariners can gather by department throughout our vessels to swap stories, compare notes, and spend time with those who know the work best. Museum visitors are invited to explore the ships and hear firsthand Great Lakes memories from the mariners themselves.
5–7 p.m. | Mariners-Only After Hours Gathering
When the doors close, the stories keep going. Join fellow mariners for a relaxed happy hour featuring Tony Packo’s, a limited bar, and plenty of space to connect and mingle. The evening will also include remarks of gratitude and a commemorative group photo.

Sunday, August 16
9 a.m.–12 p.m. | Mariners-Only Breakfast
Start the day at the table with your crew. A continental breakfast sets the stage for reconnecting by company, sharing stories, and catching up with familiar faces. A commemorative group photo will also be offered during the morning.
2–4 p.m. | Sailing Stories: Mariners Open Mic
Take the mic or take a seat. This facilitated storytelling session invites mariners to share the moments that shaped their time on the Inland Seas — from first days on deck to the last watch. Expect laughter, reflection, unforgettable crew stories, and audience Q&A as we preserve the voices and experiences of Great Lakes mariners together.

Whether you sailed for decades or spent just one season aboard, the Great Lakes Mariners Meet-Up is a chance to reconnect with old friends, make new connections, and celebrate the shared experiences that continue to shape Great Lakes maritime culture.

Find out more here

International Ship Masters’ Association Toledo Lodge 9 and National Museum of the Great Lakes

The U.S. Coast Guard is raising awareness of the dangers and penalties associated with hoax distress calls, including those transmitted via radio, phone and social media. Since January 2026, Coast Guard command center watchstanders in the Great Lakes District have received 187 false distress calls, including three confirmed hoaxes.

A hoax may include knowingly and willfully communicating a false distress message to the Coast Guard, while a false distress alert can result from misunderstanding, accidental transmissions or outdated information.

Initiating a hoax or causing the Coast Guard to attempt to save lives and property when no help is needed is a federal felony under 14 U.S.C. § 521(c) and punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and/or a monetary fine. The statute also provides for a civil penalty of up to $13,295 and holds the individual liable for all costs the Coast Guard incurs as a result of their actions.

“Intentionally misleading emergency responders is both dangerous and illegal,” said Capt. Mark Kuperman, chief of staff, Great Lakes District. “Every false distress report creates a ripple effect across the entire emergency response community, draining valuable time and resources from the Coast Guard and agency partners and potentially putting emergency responders at unnecessary risk. Ultimately, this reduces our readiness for actual emergencies. This can be especially detrimental during the summer months, when resources are in constant demand.”

The Coast Guard also encourages the public to avoid posting or sharing content on social media that falsely portrays an emergency.

“The growing influence of social media has added further challenges to search and rescue operations,” said Roger Rice, search and rescue program manager, Great Lakes District. “Social media content suggesting distress may not include critical details, such as an accurate location, the number of people involved, or immediate hazards. Misleading photos or videos may unnecessarily trigger emergency responses and divert critical resources.”

The Coast Guard recommends that boaters in distress use VHF-FM channel 16 or 911 to call for help during a real emergency.

The U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes District is responsible for a 1,500-mile international border spanning eight states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. More than 6,000 Coast Guard active-duty, reserve, civilian and auxiliary personnel serve within the district’s area of responsibility.

USCG