Manitoulin Island ferry Chi-Cheemaun damaged in Thunder Bay shipyard fire

Owen Sound, ON – Firefighters helped ship staff put out a boiler room fire early Saturday morning on the Chi-Cheemaun ferry, which is dry docked in Thunder Bay. The fire was contained to the boiler room deep within the ship but damage to the boiler room and the electrical system was extensive, a news release from Thunder Bay Fire Rescue said. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Manistee scrap tow to depart Toledo on March 28

A Facebook post by Marin Recycling Corp. owner Wayne Elliot reads as follows: Tow of vessel Manistee estimated to depart Toledo for Marine Recycling Corp., Port Colborne, ON,  March 28, secure at wharf 17, then shift St Clair to the south slip. Then Manistee from 17 to MRC north slip where St Clair  is now. We will be using one of Mckeil Marines Z drive tugs, approx 4,000 shp. Hope all complete by April 2. Manistee has been in long-term layup at Toledo since 13 Dec 2017.

Want to see how Great Lakes ships are built? Annual Sturgeon Bay tour set for May

Sturgeon Bay, WI – For one day each year, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay opens its doors to the public for tours of the shipbuilding industry. This year the tour will focus on Bay Shipbuilding only. The Rotary Club of Sturgeon Bay presents the 29th Annual Shipyard Tours on Saturday, May 7, 2022.

The Fincanieri Bay Shipbuilding site is 63 acres dedicated to construction, inspection and maintenance of the Great Lakes fleet. The 1-1/2 hour guided walking tour is focused on multiple informational sites moderated by shipbuilding professionals. The walk is over irregular surfaces and consideration should be given to personal activity level.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 cash the day of. $10 in advance for those ages 7-17. There is a limit of 1,000 tickets total available for the event. Rotary Club of Sturgeon Bay is selling tickets in one hour time slots, Parking will be available on the street, Bay Shipbuilding parking lots or any of the public parking lots that are a short walk away in Downtown Sturgeon Bay.

All proceeds from ticket purchases are directed toward Rotary Club of Sturgeon Bay and the Rotary Youth Interact charitable projects, including support for human and community development, vocational and academic ‘Service Above Self” scholarships, and the international exchange student program.

Buy tickets at this link: https://doorcountytickets.com/events/28th-annual-sturgeon-bay-shipyard-tours-9-11-2021

Popular Toronto party boat is moving permanently to Soo, ON

Sault Ste Marie, ON – A major new addition to Sault Ste. Marie’s waterfront is expected this summer. Two Sault businesspeople have signed an agreement to buy Miss Toronto, a popular party yacht that has served Toronto Harbourfront, Toronto Island and Lake Ontario for more than three decades.

When the deal closes on April 16, the new owners of the 100-passenger boat will be Sheila Purvis (known locally for her involvement with Purvis Marine and Beavertails) and Jeff Dicorpo (from Northern Powertrain and Northern Superior Brewing).

Subject to getting the necessary approvals from Transport Canada, Dicorpo expects to bring Miss Toronto to the Sault in late May, with charters and lock tours starting a rather late season sometime in late summer.

The 70-foot boat will be based beside the Beavertails kiosk, where the Canadian lock tour boat Chief Shingwauk used to dock. Purvis and Dicorpo have retained Capt. John Chomniak, former skipper of the Chief Shingwauk, to provide staff training.

It’s expected Miss Toronto will follow essentially the same route as Chief Shingwauk, but Dicorpo tells SooToday he wants to get more into charters for things like birthday parties, weddings and corporate events. He may also take Miss Toronto farther away to places like Bell’s Point.

Tourism Sault Ste. Marie agreed on Thursday to provide $200,000 to support acquisition of Miss Toronto. Purchase price of the boat wasn’t disclosed but it has been offered online recently for $500,000.

SooToday: https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/popular-toronto-party-boat-is-moving-permanently-to-the-sault-5147647?fbclid=IwAR13Zae94UwzSsgV28XQv-38kXysMckNRtpw_E2gcT2yMNheLyELT4HN8sI

Neebish Islanders upset with ferry not operating since last week

Neebish Island, MI – Those living on Neebish Island have been without a ferry service since last Friday. Islanders are upset and worried about not having a ferry service for the foreseeable future as the Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority claims ice conditions are what’s prohibiting the ferry from operating.

One Islander, Lori Miller, said the route it takes is a bit icy but it’s nothing the ferry shouldn’t be able to handle. “Shutting the ferry down right now, if it doesn’t need to be, the transportation says it’s going to be shut down until mid to late march, that takes us right up to spring break up so we really could be shut down without a ferry for six to seven weeks,” said Miller.

To cross the river for supplies and to talk to 9&10 News, Miller had to cross the ice bridge that connects Neebish Island and the town of Barbeau, something she’s uncomfortable with. “I just keep hearing the DNR in my mind ‘no ice is safe ice, no ice is safe ice’ and yet this is our only way off at this point,” she said.

Thick ice blocking the ferry has happened before, but the islanders think the transportation authority should be ready for when it happens. “This is an ongoing problem since the beginning of time. Why haven’t they come up with a solution for the problem so that this doesn’t happen,” said Marian Miller, another resident of Neebish Island.

Chippewa County Commissioner Erik Baron agrees. According to Baron, “EUPTA is a public service transportation authority and they need to have the equipment necessary to keep those ferries running.”

The ferry is expected to return to service by mid to late March.

Watch the 9&10 News report here: https://www.9and10news.com/2022/03/10/neebish-islanders-upset-with-ferry-not-operating-since-last-week/

AlgoCanada returns to Soo, expanded icebreaking starts Monday

Sault Ste. Marie, MI – The tanker AlgoCanada made another trip upriver Thursday, docking at the Purvis Dock in the lower harbor, Canadian side, in late afternoon to discharge petroleum products. She was assisted through heavy ice in the vicinity of Johnson and Stribling points by the USCG Katmai Bay. Meanwhile, USCG Neah Bay departed Cleveland Thursday with an AIS destination of St. Marys River.

Monday, March 14, the U.S> Coast Guard is expected to expand icebreaking in the St Marys River’s West Neebish Channel. To date, icebreaking in the West Neebish Channel was limited to Munuscong (Mud) Lake, south of Moon Island. Monday, the Coast Guard will extend icebreaking into the southern half of the West Neebish Channel, working from Mud Lake Junction Light north to the Rock Cut at West Neebish Channel Light 29.

The Coast Guard will not disturb the ice north of the Neebish Island ferry crossing or break ice south of West Neebish Channel Light 45. However the Neebish Island ferry has not run since March 4, and is expected to be shut down for an extended period of time due to ice conditions.

View a video of the AlgoCanada here: https://youtu.be/eUPyGBuXxrs

Multiple cruise ships heading to Keweenaw this summer

Houghton, MI – Houghton and the Keweenaw, Michigan will welcome thousands of people seeing the area for the first time this summer as part of a series of summer cruises.

Between June 1 and Sept. 21, seven cruises from Viking Cruises and two from American Queen Voyages (formerly Victory Cruise Lines) will dock in Houghton.

Viking Cruises will use its new 672-foot expedition ships Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris – smaller than an ocean liner, but the largest such ship that could get through the St. Lawrence Seaway. Because the ships cannot fit under the Portage Lake Lift Bridge, they will have to turn 180 degrees and head back out to Lake Superior.

One of the Viking ships is currently in Antarctica, where it spends half the year. In addition to a cruise ship, it also serves as a research vessel. The cruises are geared more at learning, including scientific equipment and an auditorium for lectures.

The ships will dock somewhere near the Kestner Waterfront park. Visitors will be carried to the shore by tender boats, which Nemetz said would carry about 40 to 70 people at a time. They will disembark near Bridgeview Park. Plans call for the ship to arrive at 8 a.m. and leave at 5:30 p.m.

There will be two sets of excursions during the day, each lasting about two-and-a-half hours. About 90% to 95% of guests will do at least one, Nemetz said. They will eat lunch on the ship.

Among the excursions are visits to the Quincy Mine, a hike at Hungarian falls and a seaplane flight over Copper Harbor and Estivant Pines. One still being developed would bring people to Finlandia for a class on how to play harp. A walking tour of Houghton will be centered around historic bars and breweries.

About 630 people will be getting off the Viking boat, including 300 or so guests, said Brad Barnett, executive director of the Keweenaw Convention and Visitors Bureau. Victory’s total will be smaller, about 240 guests and 70 crew. The Viking visitors will generally be between 60 to 80 years old, Barnett said. With ticket prices starting around $7,000, they will also generally be well-off.

There are also opportunities for volunteers to serve as ambassadors for the area during the visits, Barnett said.

Mining Journal

Algoma Central, Nova Marine add five vessels

St. Catharines, ON – Algoma Central Corporation and Nova Marine announced Thursday an increased investment in their global short sea shipping joint ventures, NovaAlgoma, by acquiring three cement carriers from KGJ Cement in Northern Europe and two handy-size bulk carriers from Swire Bulk Holdings Pte. Ltd. of Singapore. The vessels will be strong additions to NovaAlgoma’s already diversified vessel portfolio, which includes cement carriers, mini-bulkers and handy-size bulk carriers.

“We carefully consider each opportunity for growth and these vessel purchases fit perfectly into our long-term plan for sustaining a profitable business alongside our partners at Nova Marine,“ said Gregg Ruhl, President and CEO of Algoma Central Corporation. “The three cement carriers will support increasing cement requirements and significant global infrastructure investments. The two handy-size vessels will be part of our active international sales and purchase vessel platform, which has delivered strong returns since 2018,” concluded Mr. Ruhl.

“The cement carriers will supply additional capacity for NovaAlgoma Cement Carriers (“NACC”) and provide tailored and flexible short sea logistics solutions for our customers in this market,” said Vincenzo Romeo, Chief Executive Officer at Nova Marine. “Working together with our partners at Algoma, we continually review market conditions and add incremental investments so we can strategically evolve with fluctuations in industry demand,” added Mr. Romeo.

The first of the three cement vessels, the NACC Providence, previously named the Glory Atlantic, was delivered in early February. At 446 feet in length, 83 feet in width, she will be too large for service west of Montreal. The second vessel will follow in early March and the third is expected to be delivered in late June. All three vessels will join the NACC fleet serving a growing list of clients around the world.

The two handy-size bulk carriers, to be named the Sider Athena and the Sider Bear will join the NovaAlgoma Bulk Holdings fleet in late April and will be commercially managed by Nova Marine.

Algoma Central Corporation

Oil, gas industry groups try to block rules to better protect the Great Lakes

Long after an Enbridge oil pipeline broke, an oil sheen could be seen along the Kalamazoo River. Crews then worked to clean up the oil that sank to the bottom. A new rule went into effect last month, requiring oil and gas companies to better monitor their pipelines if they are in sensitive coastal areas such as the Great Lakes.

Two industry groups, the American Petroleum Institute and GPA Midstream have petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals to review the rule and, until that’s done, stop the rule from being enforced.

Congress passed laws in 2016 and 2020 requiring the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to amend its rules to help prevent catastrophic oil spills that damage shorelines and beaches, and lawmakers specifically named the Great Lakes as an area to be protected.

The “Pipeline Safety: Unusually Sensitive Areas for the Great Lakes, Coastal Beaches, and Certain Coastal Waters” interim final rule went into effect in late February.

“Unusually Sensitive Areas fall under stricter regulations as to how an operator has to maintain the integrity of the pipe, which would lower the possibility of a failure,” explained Bill Caram, executive director of the watchdog group Pipeline Safety Trust.

Caram said the filing by the industry groups came as a surprise for many because it was clear that the Great Lakes should have been better protected all along.

“I certainly didn’t expect it. This [the previous rule] was an obvious shortfall of the definition. Senator [Gary] Peters and other lawmakers mandated the federal agency that that this loophole be fixed. PHMSA, the regulator, did that in a relatively straightforward manner, and so this definitely took us by surprise.”

The rule specifically cited events involving Enbridge pipelines in its introduction of the rule.

It stated the rule “will provide enhanced protections for hazardous liquid pipeline accidents similar to the 2010 Marshall, MI and the 2015 Refugio Beach, CA oil spills and ensure that events like the anchor strict that damaged Enbridge’s Line

The two industry groups requesting a stay and review of the rule argued that they had not been given adequate opportunity to comment. The petition to the court said the agency issued the rule without first publishing the proposal, providing the public a chance to comment and the agency a chance to amend the Unusually Sensitive Areas definition.

This could delay implementation of the rule for months or longer, because if the petition is denied, then the two industry groups can file suit.

“We certainly hope this is just a matter of months and the agency can sort it out. We certainly hope that the agency denies this request, and the rule stays in place,” said Caram.

Attempts to reach GPA Midstream were unsuccessful. In an email, the American Petroleum Institute responded, “Unfortunately, our subject matter expert on this is out of the office today,” and no one could offer comment for this story.

Michigan Radio

U.S. Coast Guard rescues person on ice floe

Sault Ste. Marie, MI – Members of U.S. Coast Guard Station Sault Sainte Marie and Air Station Traverse City rescued a man stranded on an ice floe on Lake Superior March 8. A 55-year-old man called the Coast Guard to report that he was stranded on an ice floe approximately threemiles east of Point Abbaye off the Keweenaw Peninsula.U.S. Coast Guard Sector Sault Sainte Marie coordinated with Negaunee Dispatch to locate the GPS position produced from the man’s 911 call. The Coast Guard Ninth District launched an MH-60 helicopter from Air Station Traverse City. The crew of the MH-60 immediately located the man and hoisted him safely into the helicopter where the rescue swimmer conducted a health assessment. The man was taken to Houghton County Memorial Airport for evaluation by awaiting Emergency Medical Service personnel. No injuries were reported.

USCG

Great Lakes ice cover has peaked, here’s how it measured up

The ice cover on the Great Lakes has reached its peak coverage for the winter. You might be a little surprised at how much ice we had on the Great Lakes. All of the Great Lakes spent some time with more ice than the long-term average for individual dates.

Lake Superior peaked around 15 percent higher than the typical high-ice amount. Lake Superior also spent the least amount of time with ice coverage more than the normal curve. Only about eight days had ice cover above average. At Lake Superior’s peak ice, it was 64.2 percent covered on March 3. You’ll also notice the peak ice was right on schedule with historical norms.

Read more and view the data at this M Live link: https://www.mlive.com/weather/2022/03/great-lakes-ice-cover-has-peaked-heres-how-it-measured-up.html?utm_campaign=aanews_sf&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR0iTvNuKGp0jOjeXtjDBi1amauj0rUDmMz47W-tSG5Ap2yPnLOdxnUVovM

Ottawa announces COVID-19 rules for return of cruise ships to Canadian ports

Halifax, NS – Strict COVID-19 measures will be enforced when cruise ships return to Canada’s ports next month after a nearly two-year hiatus, federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announced on Monday.

Ottawa lifted its pandemic-induced prohibition on cruise ships in Canadian waters on Nov. 1, on condition that operators fully comply with public health requirements. “The industry will have to follow a robust protocol,” Alghabra told reporters in Halifax.

Under a framework developed with federal, local and provincial public health agencies, the United States government and the cruise industry, all cruise ship employees and passengers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to be allowed into Canada, Alghabra said.

Passengers, he added, will need to take a COVID-19 molecular test within 72 hours before they board or take an antigen test within one day of boarding. They will also need a negative molecular test result within 72 hours before their return to Canada or an antigen test result within one day of their arrival, he said.

Cruise ship operators will be required to inspect proof of vaccination and monitor and report test results, Alghabra said, adding that no passenger will be allowed off a cruise ship unless they meet the testing and vaccine requirements.

The cruise ship industry is worth about $4 billion annually to the Canadian economy and is directly and indirectly responsible for about 30,000 jobs in the domestic tourism sector, the federal government says.

Allan Gray, president and CEO of the Port of Halifax, said Monday’s announcement gives a clear signal to ports and to tourism operators that ships are returning in a safe manner. Gray said that while the revival of Canada’s cruise ship industry is certainly welcomed, the biggest economic benefit from the sector goes toward tourism operators in the cities in which passengers debark.

“Cruises in most cases (are) never a large revenue earner for a port … it’s about the economic benefit that goes into the community and it’s about the support industries,” he said.

Gray said he expects the 2022 season, which runs from April to November, will help re-establish an industry that is expected to rebound vigorously in the years to come. He said Halifax is scheduled to see 152 cruise ships this season. “The uncertain part is the actual numbers (of passengers) on board,” Gray said. “It’s been varying up and down … so it’s difficult for us at this point to get firm numbers.”

Alghabra, meanwhile, announced $7 million in federal funding to help build a new $15-million marine container examination facility within the Port of Halifax. The remaining $8 million will come from the port, he said.

The aim is to reduce inspection turnaround times along with container congestion at the port, as well as truck traffic in downtown Halifax. Gray said plans are for the new facility to be in use by sometime next year.

Annual Freighter Frenzy tournament begins

Sault Ste. Marie, MI – In preparation of the seasonal opening of the Soo Locks on March 25, Sault locals are participating in a tournament to decide the most popular shipping freighter on the Great Lakes.

The tournament begins March 8 with a series of Twitter polls that last for 48 hours each. The winners of each poll will move on in the March Madness style bracket until the final poll ends on April 2, which will see one ship remaining as the winner.

Thirty-two ships from America, Canada and other countries of origin are participating in the 16 matchups where voters will be given facts about the history of and fun facts for each ship.

“Each ship has its own story, maybe you know the crew or where the ship was made or where it goes for destinations,” said Nick Nolan, digital media specialist for the Sault Ste. Marie Convention and Visitors Bureau. “For one reason or another, these ships resonate with people.”

The tournament began in 2020 as a way to make up for the lack of March Madness betting during the non-existent basketball season due to COVID-19. Since then, the Freighter Frenzy has become a popular pastime and regularly receives 100 or more votes on each poll from fans of the ships.

The freighter The Wilfred Sykes, which won the first two Freighter Frenzy events, will also be participating again this year competing against many returning freighters but also new competition.

The Mandarin from Cyprus and Happy River from the Netherlands will both be making their first appearances in the tournament this year. This matchup also marks the first competition between two 1,000 foot ships against each other in the tournament.

“Follow along on our Twitter and have a good time and we like to banter back and forth with our followers,” said Nolan. “We just look forward to having a great tournament.”

Last year, participation from locals was huge with over 100 votes for each poll and over 5,000 votes in the overall competition. This year, the visitors bureau expects even more votes for each poll.

The Sault News. Find more information at the visitors bureau’s website: https://www.saultstemarie.com/freighter-frenzy-3-thrice-the-frenzy/

NTSB releases interview transcripts, drawings of Roger Blough fire

The National Transportation Safety Board’s public docket has released some information on the Roger Blough fire. It’s not a report, but some drawings and interviews as part of the investigation into the fire that occurred last year at Sturgeon Bay. Download PDFs here: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102586

Interlake Steamship Co. fit-out schedule released

A posting on the Interlake Steamship Co. web site shows the fit-out schedule for the fleet. Notable is a late-May date for Stewart J. Cort and no crew report dates for Lee A. Tregurtha. View the schedule in the photo gallery.

Russian-owned Palmer Johnson-built yacht seized in Italy

Sturgeon Bay, WI – A $27 million dollar yacht built in 2013 at Palmer Johnson is making news. The “Lady M” is owned by Alexey Mordasov, Russia’s richest man, who was sanctioned by the European Union this past week following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It was seized last week by Italian police in the port of Imperia, in northern Italy.

Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society Inc.

Army Corps issues water level report

Ice concentrations on the Great Lakes undulated with colder than average temperatures in February. Concentrations on the Great Lakes basin ranged from 23% to 56% and ended the month at 41%.An ice jam at the beginning of February on the St. Clair River contributed to the 10-inch water level decrease on Lake St. Clair; though the ice has loosened, and levels are recovering.See the incredible drop in our 6-month Great Lakes Water Levels Forecast here: https://www.lre.usace.army.mil/Missions/Great-Lakes-Information/Great-Lakes-Water-Levels/Water-Level-Forecast/Monthly-Bulletin-of-Great-Lakes-Water-Levels/fbclid/IwAR3qLveva5mt6q5aZOJR-z55RiTnwtQFCI5au4WnC6blzfDt4FoBhtcYk6o/

Interlake releases video celebrating the work of fleet’s mariners

We’re ready for the 2022-2023 shipping season! But first, here’s a look at what our proud U.S. flag fleet accomplished last year. We couldn’t do any of it without the dedication and hard work of the best mariners and shoreside employees on the Great Lakes. View the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5F79d4qsDE

OBITUARY: Marine writer Jack Storey

Jack King Storey, 77, of Sault Ste. Marie and Drummond Island, Michigan, passed away at War Memorial Hospital on March 4 after a short illness. In 1979 Mr. Storey joined The (Sault Ste. Marie) Evening News, starting a 29-year journalistic career marked by stellar, clear, and concise writing that earned numerous awards. Those include Associated Press awards for sports, feature, investigative and straight news reporting in 1982, 1984, 1985 and 1987.

At the newspaper, he was able to realize his dream of working and living close to the Great Lakes and the majestic freighters that fascinated him from an early age. His column, Marine Beat, reflected that passion.

During a shooting incident at the newspaper, Mr. Storey is credited with gathering fellow staffers into an inconspicuous, locked room to shelter them from the shooter. He kept on his desk a motto that inspired his journalistic career: “It is a newspaper’s duty to print the news and raise hell,” attributed to Wilbur Storey, the 1861 editor of the Chicago Times.

Throughout his adult life, Mr. Storey developed a passion for building and rebuilding wooden boats and vintage outboard motors. He and his wife Jane spent many summers sailing the waters around Drummond Island on Estelle, a Beetle Cat which they rescued from Massachusetts and he lovingly restored.

Mr. Storey was born on November 7, 1944, at St. John’s Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio. When the family moved to Saginaw, MI, Mr. Storey attended St. Mary’s Cathedral elementary and high school, where he lettered in football, graduating in 1963. Matriculating at the University of Michigan, Mr. Storey earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration. He continued his education after graduation completing many courses in Native American studies. Throughout his post-graduate life, Mr. Storey was a proud alum of Michigan and ardent follower of the university’s athletic teams.

Embarking upon his professional career, Mr. Storey was a health educator for Saginaw County. He and a partner founded a sporting goods equipment and clothing store, True North, that operated for a number of years on Saginaw’s near west side.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Jane Mason Storey, brothers, and sisters-in-law Thomas P. Storey (Sandy) of Colonial Heights, VA; Alfred J. Storey (Linda) of Drummond Island, MI; James M. Storey (Diane) of Holland, MI. and brother-in-law Joseph G. Mason (Donna) of Mooresville, N.C.

In addition to his spouse and siblings, Mr. Storey is survived by stepchildren Michael Romant (Jackie), Jeannie Romant-Richey (Calvin), Carrie Romant (Karl Nibbelink) and nieces and nephews Leslie Pitcher, Susan Storey, A. Patrick Storey, Amy Storey, Annika Storey, Dan Storey, and nine step-grandchildren. No services are planned at his request.

Hey, Jack: three long and two short.

“Submitted Post Denied” e-mails from Boatnerd

Please don’t take offense (or worry about spam) if you receive e-mails from Boatnerd stating that your submitted post has been denied. We are merely purging old, outdated user-submitted posts from our system. And when we do so, an automatic e-mail is generated back to the original submitter.

As mentioned in the news a few days ago, users provided some 130 submissions via our Upload form over the past 8 months that we were unaware of until recently. Unfortunately these submissions were mostly time sensitive, so we cannot post them as submitted.  As we work through the backlog, each submitted post is individually reviewed and as much information (including photos) is retained as possible.  We then delete the post, which automatically generates the “Submitted Post Deleted” reply.

Our issue regarding notification of user- submitted posts is now resolved, so once we work through the backlog, we should be prompt with future reviews of submitted material.

Algocanada departs Soo, ON, after 12-day stay

The Algoma Central Corp. tanker Algocanada was downbound from the Purvis Dock in the lower harbor Friday after a 12-day stay. Although the vessel has been empty for several days, she remained tied up in the Soo until her next cargo was available. USCG cutter Katmai Bay ran two passes down Algocanada’s port side, allowing the tanker to swing away from the dock. By 10 p.m., she anchored for the night just past Lime Island. Watch a video of the day’s ice ops here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/74265040605/posts/10160326529660606/?comment_id=10160326570850606&notif_id=1646442452130632&notif_t=group_comment&ref=notif

Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron water levels are near their seasonal low point

Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron water levels are near their seasonal low point and depending on weather and water supply conditions could begin their seasonal spring rise over the coming weeks. Lake Superior water levels remain below the seasonal long-term average while Lake Michigan-Huron water levels remain above the seasonal long-term average. Lake Superior outflows continue to be set in consideration of water levels upstream and downstream.

The Board expects the total outflow to be 1,570 m3 /s (55.4 tcfs) in March, which is as prescribed by Lake Superior Regulation Plan 2012. The gate setting at the Compensating Works will be maintained at the setting equivalent to one-half gate open (Gates #7 through #10 partially open 20 cm (7.9 in)). There will be no change to the setting of Gate #1, which supplies a flow of about 15 m3 /s to the channel north of the Fishery Remedial Dike.

Water levels of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron continued to decline in February. Lake Superior declined 2 cm (0.8 in), while on average the lake declines 5 cm (2 in) in February. Lake Michigan-Huron declined 3 cm (1.2 in) last month, while on average the lake remains stable in February.

At the beginning of March, Lake Superior is 9 cm (3.5 in) below the long-term average water level (1918 – 2021) and 28 cm (11 in) below the level of a year ago. Lake Michigan-Huron is 23 cm (9 in) above average, 43 cm (17 in) below the level from last year, and 69 cm (27 in) below the record-high level set at this time in 2020.

Depending on the weather and water supply conditions during the next month, Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron water levels may continue to decline by as much as 10 cm (3.9 in.) in March. Conversely, it is possible that water levels will begin their seasonal rise and could rise by as much as 10 cm (3.9 in.) over the next month.

U.S. Brig Niagara to set sail in 2022

Erie, PA – Months of negotiations have come to an end as the U.S. Brig Niagara will set sail for the 2022 season and take part in the Tall Ships Festival this summer. Niagara hasn’t set sail for the past two years due to COVID-19.

After several months of negotiations between the Flagship Niagara League and the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC), both have agreed to sailing the Niagara. The PHMC approved the U.S. Brig Niagara to have a sailing season and be part of the Tall Ships Erie this summer.

“We want the Niagara to be the ship leading the parade. We want the Parade of Sails coming in just like it was in 2019 with the Niagara in the front with all the tall ships behind her,” said Captain William Sabatini, Executive Director of the Flagship Niagara League.

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission released the following statement: “The discussion was positive with the FNL and PHMC committing to sailing the Flagship Niagara this season and presenting a successful Tall Ships Erie.”

With its rich history, it is important to the community that the Niagara is set to sail this upcoming summer. “As you go through Erie’s revitalization, the Bayfront is part of that revitalization and this ship was one of the first parts of that Bayfront revitalization back in ’88 when the ship was launched, and back in 1991 when the ship first started sailing,” said Sabatini.

Both organizations are coming together next week to finalize the agreement.

Your Erie

St. Marys River spring icebreaking operations start Monday

 Sault Ste. Marie, MI –  Monday March 7, 2022 the Coast Guard starts breaking ice in the lower St Marys River in preparation for the 2022 Great Lakes commercial shipping season.

Initially the icebreaking activity will focus on the lower St Marys River, south of Munuscong (Mud) Lake and the Middle Neebish Channel north and east of Neebish Island. As the week progresses, the Coast Guard will extend this icebreaking activity into the southern half of the West Neebish Channel, working from Mud Lake Junction Light north to Moon Island. The Coast Guard will not disturb the ice south of West Neebish Channel Light 45, above the Ferry crossing, or the ice north of Moon Island, below the Ferry crossing.

In the coming weeks, as the March 25th scheduled opening of the Sault Locks approaches, icebreaking activities will encompass all navigable waters of the St Marys River. Recreational users of the ice should plan their activities carefully, use caution near the ice and stay away from charted navigation areas.

USCG

Vessel found at bottom of Lake Superior after 130 years

Whitefish Point, MI –  The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society says the Atlanta was found 35 miles off Deer Park, Michigan, in 650 feet of water in Lake Superior.

In partnership with GLSHS, Marine Sonic Technology mapped more than 2,500 miles of Lake Superior during the summer of 2021 using Side Scan Sonar — Marine Sonic Technology.

The Atlanta sank on May 4, 1891. It was upbound with a load of coal in tow with the steamer Wilhelm when both vessels got caught in a northwest gale. The towline snapped, and the sail-less Atlanta was at the mercy of the lake. Crew took to the lifeboat and, after several hours, eventually came within sight of the Crisp Point Life-Saving Station. Unfortunately, while attempting to land their lifeboat near the station, it overturned, and only two crewmembers made it to the beach.

According to GLSHS, the Atlanta is a well-preserved shipwreck due to its time in the ice-cold Lake Superior waters.

“It is rare that we find a shipwreck that so clearly announces what it is and the name-board of the Atlanta really stands out,” said Bruce Lynn, executive director of the GLSHS. “It is truly ornate, and still beautiful after 130 years on the bottom of Lake Superior.”

“No one has to ask where the Atlanta is anymore,” said Director of Marine Operations for GLSHS, Derryl Ertel.

The survivors reported that all three masts broke off in the storm. Video from a Remote Operated Vehicle found that all three masts broke off flush with the deck and can’t be found.

ABC 

The St. Lawrence River icebreaking operation has begun

Trois-Rivières, QC – An encouraging sign that we are getting closer to the shipping season, the Canadian Coast Guard begins Monday its spring icebreaking activities between Saint-Pierre-les-Becquets and Sorel. It is for this reason that the organization warns the inhabitants of the shores of the St. Lawrence River and the people who frequent them. It is strongly recommended that hikers and snowmobilers not stay on the ice if they see a hovercraft because the movement of the ice can represent a real danger.

Own an entire Michigan island: ‘Frying Pan Island’ hits market for $580K

Frying Pan Island, MI – Here’s a rare opportunity for you to own an entire island. Michigan’s “Frying Pan Island” has hit the market for $580,000. The island is located just off the coast of DeTour Village in Lake Huron in the eastern Upper Peninsula about two miles upstream from the mouth of St. Mary’s River.

The island itself is 3.42 acres, but according to the current owner, the purchase comes with 68 acres of bottomland ownership.

“Normally you don’t own the bottomlands when you buy a waterfront house. You own to the high water mark. In this case, the bottomlands come with it,” Cindy Anderson with Lake Homes Realty told MLive. “So, if someone wanted to build a marina there, they have more than ample space and they don’t have to ask the state of Michigan for permission.”

There used to be a lighthouse on the island which now stands in Sault Ste. Marie. The island is pretty much just filled with trees and a beach. “The beach is beautiful. It’s nice and sandy. There’s a little bit of rock, but it’s really nice,” added Anderson.

“Frying Pan Island is said to have gotten its name from Captain William Thorn, who reportedly was the first person to take a ship up the St. Marys River and into Lake Superior. According to LightHouseFriends.com, Captain Thorn went ashore and found a frying pan there and gave the island its name.

The island is basically an empty canvas for its next owner. “One of the current owners is a civil engineer, so he has pretty good knowledge of land. He says you could build a cottage or some cottages on there in a cluster development. You could also Airbnb it or I could even see a little camp on the island. With it only being a half a mile off the coast, if you did want to run electricity, it’s feasible with a cable. Water and sewer could also be on the island.”

M Live. View the listing here: https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/Off-of-Ontario-St_Detour-Village_MI_49725_M99049-42080

Cleveland Tall Ships Festival returning this summer

Cleveland, OH – Ahoy there! Tall ships will return to Lake Erie’s waterfront this summer, when the Cleveland Tall Ships Festival takes place July 7-10.

Tickets to the four-day event are now on sale at tallshipscle.com, ranging in price from $17 for a one-day pass to $300 for a VIP fast pass. Weekend passes are also available.

The festival, presented with Tall Ships America, offers an opportunity to step aboard historic tall ships for tours, ask captains questions, shop a marketplace and more, according to a press release. Plus, stick around for a firework show and performances by Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneers.

Though tickets can get attendees into the festival, there are also free viewing options from Wendy Park and Voinovich Park, for those who just want to get a glance of the impressive fleet.

Michigan research boat gets new Great Lakes mission with invasive species grant

Alpena, MI – A retired, 50-foot state research vessel will sail into a new mission as an educational tool in Alpena, where future visitors can learn about aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes and effects on fisheries.

Michigan officials this week announced $3.6 million in grants to dozens of organizations across the state for programs to limit the spread of invasive species already here, prevent new ones from establishing, and strengthen the state’s detection should that happen, along with awareness projects.

More than 30 projects received funding in this year’s grant cycle and when combined with $541,500 in local matching dollars, will result in more than $4.1 million in efforts to combat invasive species in 2022.

Officials said the second-largest grant went to a unique proposal unlike any before: a nonprofit art, science, and history museum in Alpena received a $386,500 grant to transform the retired R/V Chinook – an old state fishery research ship – into an interactive science and history classroom.

Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan offers rotating art exhibits, historical displays, science demonstrations, a planetarium, and exhibits about the wildlife and fish of the region. Its next big project is called the Great Lakes Fisheries Heritage Exhibit and the old research ship will become a centerpiece of the permanent installation.

Grant money will pay for a new museum building to be built around the Chinook, which was previously donated to the museum and craned into position and settled onto boat cradles at the facility in Alpena in 2020.

The new, two-building exhibit will feature two major boat displays, both the Chinook and the historic wooden fishing tugboat the Katherine V. Visitors will be able to walk around and closely inspect the boats, plus learn about the history of fighting invasive species in Lake Huron.

“It will be an immersive, interactive exhibit that is really going to educate on what individuals, what visitors can do to help combat invasive species,” said Christine Witulski, the museum’s executive director.

The Chinook was a state commercial fishing enforcement boat from 1947 to 1968, when it was converted into an Alpena-based research vessel to monitor invasive species and related impacts on the fishery, such as invasive sea lamprey’s harm to the lake trout population.

“It’s going to be serving as a public platform to educate and bring awareness of invasive species and what can be done to keep our Great Lakes healthy.”

Building construction is expected to begin this summer, followed by the creation and installation of educational displays. The building around the Katherine V is already completed, but educational and interpretive exhibits will be completed through the new state grant.

Read more at this MLive link: https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2022/03/michigan-research-boat-gets-new-great-lakes-mission-with-invasive-species-grant.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=aanews_sf&fbclid=IwAR3bGXz1wxwrJ3YjOCAvlKPp5KpUyTIr00WfDLo933Jwy2wLHlt6UBQHs_c

Virtual Program: Winter at the Soo Locks: There is No Down Time

Event by Lake Superior Marine Museum Association, Soo Locks Visitors Center Association and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, Thursday, March 3, 12:30 p.m.

The ships may stop moving, but that doesn’t mean it’s quiet at the Soo Locks. During the 10-week pause in shipping, the facility is a hive of activity with all hands on deck, tackling critical maintenance projects on one of America’s busiest navigation locks. Chief Park Ranger Michelle Briggs will take the audience behind the scenes to learn more about the work of these crews in brutal winter weather to ensure the locks continue to operate at peak efficiency and open in time for the annual start of the navigation season on March 25.

Join the program here: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=263890149255470&set=gm.341009707952914

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Boatnerd Admins.

Canada bans Russian ships from St. Lawrence Seaway

News out of Canada will impact traffic on the St. Lawrence Seaway. On March 1, Transport Canada said that it will soon ban Russian ships and fishing vessels from entering Canadian ports and internal waters, including the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway.

This was confirmed in an announcement from Canada’s Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly and Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard Joyce Murray.

According to the Canadian leaders, these actions are a part of ongoing coordination efforts among G7 partners following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Canada also recently banned Russian aircraft to enter Canadian airspace on February 27.

The leaders said this ban aims to “hold Russian leadership accountable for its escalating aggression.”

“Russia must be held accountable for its aggression in Ukraine. Canada will continue to do what is necessary to respond,” Minister of Transport Alghabra said in a press release. “Today, we are taking steps to close Canadian ports and internal waters to Russian-owned or registered ships. The Government of Canada condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and we will continue to take action to stand with Ukraine.”

This ban on Russian ships and fishing vessels is expected to take effect later this week through the Special Economic Measures Act.

WWTI

U.S. Steel to invest $60 million in pig iron production at Gary Works steel mill

NW Indiana – Not every region steel mill is being disinvested in. U.S. Steel plans to pump capital into its flagship mill, Gary Works.

The Pittsburgh-based steelmaker, one of the largest employers in and industrial pillars of Northwest Indiana that originally founded Gary as a mill town more than a century ago, plans to invest $60 million in pig iron production at the Gary Works mill at 1 N. Broadway in downtown Gary.

U.S. Steel plans to insource pig iron capabilities at the steel mill that stretches across seven miles of Lake Michigan lakeshore in an advancement of its metallics strategy, which has been to diversify steel production between traditional blast furnaces and smaller, more nimble electric arc furnaces. Gary Works will be able to produce up to 500,000 tons a pig iron a year after the investment.

Pig iron is a crucial raw material needed for the electric arc furnaces U.S. Steel has been investing in at its southern mini-mills as it seeks to diversify beyond the integrated steelmaking that long has been its bread and butter.

The operation will supply about 50% of the ore needs at Big River Steel in Arkansas. It also will contribute $50 million in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and deliver a 30% internal rate of return.

The pig iron production should start in the first half of next year. U.S. Steel started the permitting process and expects to soon start construction on the project. It plans to self-fund pig iron production instead of contracting it to manage costs more efficiently at Big River Steel and make Gary Works’ blast furnaces more efficient without reducing their raw steel output.

NW Indiana Times

Ice jams build pressure for Coast Guard to expand Great Lakes ice cutting fleet

Detroit, MI – Justin Westmiller has memorized the recipe for flooding disaster in St. Clair County’s shoreline communities: a cold spell, above-average water levels and a strong north wind. Those are the three ingredients required to create an ice jam so stubborn it will cause the St. Clair River to flood.

“As that ice is coming down the river, it literally will pack itself in until it goes all the way to the bottom and creates an ice dam,” said Westmiller, St. Clair County emergency management director and former member of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Westmiller and the industry group representing U.S.-flag vessel operators on the Great Lakes agree that the U.S. Coast Guard needs to expand its fleet of Great Lakes ice cutters to ease flooding and help commercial vessels navigate frozen waterways.

“Right now, we have an immediate need, and that immediate need is to have another heavy icebreaker,” said Eric Peace, Lake Carriers’ Association vice president based in Ohio.

The U.S. Coast Guard has one heavy icebreaker on the Great Lakes — the Mackinaw, a 240-foot vessel that has the capacity to break through heavy ice that usually is stationed in the Straits of Mackinac between Lakes Michigan and Huron. It also has six smaller, 140-foot cutters stationed around the Great Lakes, all built between 1979 and 1988, and two buoy tenders that have some icebreaking capacity.

Icebreakers are often laid up for maintenance, said Brian Smicklas, U.S. Coast Guard Ninth District ice supervisor. “Breaking ice, it’s as hard as you can possibly imagine,” Smicklas said. “If you want to put a vessel through a stress test, take it out to break some ice.”

That’s one reason the Lake Carriers’ Association is pushing Congress to appropriate enough money to the U.S. Coast Guard to buy a new heavy icebreaker, which is estimated to cost about $350 million, Peace said.

The Mackinaw “hasn’t been available,” Peace said. “We definitely need to have some sort of, I would call it backup. We just need to have another one here because the fact is one’s just not capable of covering the distance you have in the Great Lakes.”

The Mackinaw has twice been in for maintenance this winter, Smicklas said.

The heavy icebreaker wasn’t available in early January when St. Clair County’s shoreline flooded, Westmiller said. One of the Canadian Coast Guard’s cutters was the only ship available to respond, he said.

“I’m not blaming the partnership we have with the Coast Guard,” he said. “It’s their resource availability that they inherently struggle with.”

The Build Back Better plan, which has not passed through the U.S. Senate, includes $350 million for a new Great Lakes icebreaker. Funding for a new icebreaker is still pending, Smicklas said.

Peace, from the Lake Carriers’ Association, said the industry also wants the U.S. Government Accountability Office to evaluate U.S. Coast Guard icebreaking operations and use the information to determine the appropriate size of the Great Lakes fleet.

The Coast Guard does not render assistance where commercial icebreaking providers are available, Smicklas said, except on a case-by-case basis if no commercial providers are available and icebreaking isn’t too risky.

Detroit News

Port of Green Bay hosts First Ship Contest

Are you ready to welcome ships back to the Port of Green Bay? Discover Green Bay is teaming up with the Port for the annual First Ship Contest. Check out the prizes and enter your guess here: www.greenbay.com/firstshipcontest