Editor’s Note: The October 2 News has also been published. It was delayed due to a computer glitch.

Norisle Scrap Tow to be Wednesday

The McKeil Marine tug Ecosse is expected to tow the former Georgian Bay passenger and auto ferry Norisle from Manitoulin Island to the Marine Recycling Corp. scrapyard at Port Colborne, ON, Wednesday. Departure time is not known. Watch for Ecosse on vessel tracking sites such as Marine Traffic.

Algoma signs extension of iron ore contract with U.S. Steel

Algoma Steel Group Inc., announced Monday a two-year extension of its existing iron ore purchase contract with U.S. Steel, with an option to further extend for a third year solely at Algoma’s discretion.

Algoma says the extended purchase contract is anticipated to cover the expected volumes of iron ore required to complete its transition from blast to electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking.

The extension with U. S. Steel represents another “strategic milestone” for the steelmaker as it “continues on its transformative journey” toward sustainable steel production through electric arc steelmaking.

“We are excited to extend our partnership with U.S.Steel, which we believe not only reinforces our strong collaboration but also aligns with our broader mission of transitioning to more sustainable steelmaking practices,” Algoma CEO Michael Garcia said in a release.

“We believe that the extension of this agreement provides the foundation for a reliable supply chain and uninterrupted access to essential raw materials to meet our production capacity and service the demands of our valued customers throughout North America.”

It was reported in June that Algoma will pay more, and wait longer, for its new electric arc furnaces to start working. The Sault Ste. Marie steelmaker projects spending $125 million to $175 million more than expected due to “inflationary pressures on construction costs and materials.” Algoma Steel’s board of directors approved spending $700 million on the furnaces in fall 2021.

Projected start date for the new furnaces is pushed back about six months. An expected launch in mid-2024 is now delayed to year-end 2024 because “global supply chain disruptions” are slowing delivery of “certain” microprocessing chips, a company release said.

The Q4 and F2023 year-end conference call revealed that it’s expected about $300-$350 million will be spent this fiscal year on the electric arc furnace project, and a further $110-$150 million on other maintenance or capital projects, including the completion of the plate and strip facility upgrades.

Muskegon to Milwaukee Lake Express car ferry on track for ‘best year ever’

MUSKEGON, MI – In its 20th season, the Lake Express is expected to have a banner year. Designed to bypass Chicago area traffic, the high-speed catamaran car ferry that connects Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Muskegon, Michigan, has officially left the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic in its wake, officials say.

“Been through a lot with COVID and the other things going on but what we saw starting last year, and continuing this year, is a real appetite for travel,” said Aaron Schultz, senior vice president for the Lake Express. “We’re having what we think will be our best year ever.”

The 192-foot ferry has a top speed of 34 knots, about 39 miles per hour, carrying up to 250 passengers. The high-speed car and passenger ferry boasts the fastest ferry service on Lake Michigan, crossing the around 80 miles in about 2.5 hours. Drive time from Muskegon to Milwaukee is about 4.5 hours.

“We’re meant to go fast,” Schultz said.

“We’ve got full car decks, people coming from all over,” Schultz said. “About 50 different countries have come through, all 50 states, and everyday we’re seeing people from dozens of states – even into the fall months here, we’re going strong.”

Built in Alabama in 2003, it was the first American-made ship of its kind. The Lake Express began relinking Milwaukee and Muskegon via cross-lake ferry in the spring of 2004, resuming the route left behind by the S.S. Milwaukee Clipper, which was discontinued in 1970.

The Lake Express is currently the only car ferry crossing Lake Michigan after the historic S.S. Badger, connecting Ludington, Michigan, to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, – a four hour journey – ended the 2023 sailing season early after damage to its ramp system in July.

“We saw a significant boost of travelers in the days after the Badger dock failure as we worked hard to assist passengers stranded by the cancellations,” Schultz responded to MLive/Muskegon Chronicle in an email.

“We were already experiencing increased traveler volumes in spring and summer prior to the SS Badger closure and continue to see added ridership as former Badger customers continue to choose the Lake Express to avoid the long drive around Lake Michigan and Chicago traffic hassles and congestion.”

M Live

Nine years in the making — the story behind discovering a Lake Superior shipwreck

Earlier this month, Jerry Eliason and Ken Merryman found the Henry Steinbrenner about 750 feet deep in Lake Superior, south of Isle Royale. It’s the latest in what has been a remarkable series of Great Lakes discoveries by the two men, going back decades.

Ken Merryman joined MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer to talk about the find.

Click here for full article

MPR

Relative of man who died on Lake Superior reacts to news of shipwreck’s discovery

Madge Alberts was just getting up Wednesday morning in Pine Island, Minn., when her husband called to her.

“Come to the computer, you have to read this,” she recalled him saying. “He dragged me to the computer and I was like, ‘Really, you’re going to make me read a story about politics before I even have coffee?’ And he laughed and said, ‘Just read it.’”

“Well, I got one paragraph into it, and got teary-eyed and goosebumps from head to foot.”

The article on the MPR News website was about the recent discovery of the wreck of the freighter Henry Steinbrenner in Lake Superior. The ship sank in a storm in 1953 with the loss of 17 of its 31 crew members — including Alberts’ great-uncle, Earl Hemmingson.

Alberts was 5 when the ship sank. She spoke Friday with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition.

“I’m getting goosebumps again with you talking about it,” Alberts said.

“Two-thirds of the way down the story there was a clip from the Duluth Herald that said three Duluth men were killed in the shipwreck, and Earl was listed. And that’s the first time I had seen his name in any sort of a newspaper clip of it,” she said, recalling reading the article.

“It just made it real for me. It’s something that I’ve been sort of obsessed with all my life … about what happened to him.”

Click here for full article

MPR

1897-vintage tug America rechristened at Monroe

The 1897-vintage tug America has had her original name restored. During a short ceremony Saturday, September 30 at the Port of Monroe, MI, during Monroe Heritage Days. The vessel is the oldest commercially operating tug in the world, says Paul C. LaMarre III, Director of the Port of Monroe, MI, and also her frequent captain.

To mark the tug’s rechristening, champagne was liberally smashed over the name by Paul C. LaMarre Jr., Great Lakes maritime historian and tugboat captain. With more than 45 years of Great Lakes tugboat experience, he works for Detroit-based Gaelic Tugboat Co. He is also Paul C. LaMarre III’s father. With them was Gregg Thauvette, VP, Operations, The Great Lakes Towing.

This tug was built in 1897 by the Union Dry Dock Company of Buffalo, NY as the America. In 1899 she was acquired by the newly-formed Great Lakes Towing Company of Cleveland, OH, and was an original member of their fleet. She was eventually retired by the Towing Company, but got a new lease on life in 1941, when she was rebuilt with a new pilothouse and re-entered service. Later that same year, the America capsized on the Detroit River, and six lives were lost. The tug was raised and continued service. In 1950 she was converted from steam to diesel power. In 1982, the America was renamed Midway. The following year, her name was changed again, this time to Wisconsin. The Wisconsin continued to operate under that name until 2021, when she was renamed Georgia.

Roger LeLievre

Video of the tug America rechristening in Monroe, MI, courtesy of Roger LeLievre.

Heritage Days: “An Extravaganza of Americana” underway at Port of Monroe

The once-in-a-lifetime Heritage Days celebration at the Port of Monroe is taking place this weekend! Click here for more info and a full list of attractions.

Port of Monroe

“New Lock at the Soo: Highlights of a Busy Year” virtual presentation coming this week

2023 has been an incredibly productive year of for the New Lock at the Soo. Project Manager, Mollie Mahoney, joins us in the Virtual Visitor Center with a presentation about the ongoing construction. Mollie will highlight the progress made so far and work planned for next year and beyond. Join us at 12:30 EDT (11:30 CDT) Thursday, October 5 by clicking here.

USACE

Press Release: Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center celebrates 50 years

DULUTH, Minn. – The Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center in Duluth, Minnesota celebrates 50 years with an event Thursday, September 28 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center and the Lake Superior Marine Museum Association will host a celebration with refreshments, a look back at the history of the Visitor Center including photos, old park ranger uniforms and some rarely-before-seen artifacts from the collection.

“We are looking forward to celebrating this anniversary with the public,” Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center Director Sara Summers-Luedtke said. “The Visitor Center sees about 1.1 million visitors to the Duluth Canal Park each year.”

The event will be open to the public and will be held at the Visitor Center located at:

600 Canal Park Dr.

Duluth, Minn. 55802.

For more details, contact the Visitor Center information desk at (218)-788-6430.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Lake Superior Maritime Visitors Center celebrates 50 years of shining a light on shipping

The Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center is having a golden moment. It turns 50 years old on Friday.

They celebrated a day early with some cake. And they brought out a few extra pieces from the collection.

“The maritime museum does a great job capturing and telling the story of the role the Great Lakes play in American history,” commented Mark Eckel, who is from Minneapolis.

Another visitor, Tamara Sather, added, “I see something new each time I come visit. Seeing the progression of the ships and how they’ve changed. Wow, this goes so far back!”

Click here for full article

WDIO

Planes, trains and tugboats: History, future of transportation focus of Port of Monroe Heritage Days

MONROE, Mich. — A free event this weekend will celebrate a major player in the Great Lakes economy, and aims to inspire the next generation of tugboat captains.

The Port of Monroe is the largest concentration of intermodal infrastructure in southeast Michigan.

To commemorate its importance and look to the future of the industry, port leadership wanted to offer the community a chance to get behind the scenes access and learn more about what happens here during the Heritage Days at the Port of Monroe this weekend.

“The thing about the transportation industry is it’s really cool: you get to go out on boats, you get to be on trains, you get to drive trucks,” Vincent Cioletti, Business and Operations Manager at the Port of Monroe said.

The workhorse of any water-based port is the tugboat. Along with steam and diesel tractors, local vendors and WWII plane flyovers, three historic tugboats will be on display.

This includes Tugboat America, which was built in 1897 and is the oldest operating tugboat in the world.

Click here for full article

WTOL

MV Nukumi named “Vessel of the Year” at Marine Propulsion Decarbonisation 2023 Awards

We are delighted to announce that MV Nukumi has been honoured as a “Vessel of the Year” at the 2023 Marine Propulsion Decarbonisation Awards. The esteemed award, which was presented in Amsterdam on September 26, acknowledges vessels that pioneer new standards in vessel optimization, maritime decarbonisation, and sustainability. MV Nukumi’s visionary design and superior performance solidified its win.

Purpose-designed for Windsor Salt, MV Nukumi is a diesel-electric self-unloading vessel, emphasizing an eco-friendly approach. The ship boasts multiple innovations aimed at minimizing GHGs, air pollutants, and its environmental impact as a whole. Notably, the vessel is equipped with diesel-electric tier 3 engines, a ballast water treatment system, a waste heat recovery system, and quieter machinery.

In terms of operations, MV Nukumi features a fully automated single-point loading system coupled with a state-of-the-art cargo handling mechanism. This eliminates vessel shifting during the loading process, paving the way for safer and more streamlined operations. Furthermore, its modern hull design and twin-fin diesel-electric propulsion grant the vessel exceptional manoeuvrability. This ensures faster transits through narrow channels, even at lower tides.

MV Nukumi isn’t new to accolades. In 2022, the ship was named the IBJ Bulk Ship of the Year and recognized as a Significant Ship of the Year by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects. Moreover, CSL’s engineering collaborator, EMS-Tech, earned the 2022 IBJ Award for the Best Ship Loading/Unloading System, for MV Nukumi’s advanced cargo handling system.

The Vessel of the Year award was presented to Jakob Hansen, CSL’s Senior Vice-President of Commercial and Transhipment, by Ossi Mettälä of NAPA Shipping Solutions during a gala dinner at the Maritime Decarbonisation, Europe Conference, hosted by Riviera Maritime Media.

Canada Steamship Lines

Anchoring the story: TV6′s Elizabeth Peterson begins ore boat adventure aboard the Lee A. Tregurtha

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – The Lee A. Tregurtha, one of the Great Lakes’ oldest freighters, is departing Marquette Tuesday for its 49th journey this season, and TV6′s Elizabeth Peterson is on board.

The bulk carrier’s history dates back over eighty years. It first operated in 1942 as a World War II Navy tanker, serving under the name USS Chiwawa. With a 501-foot length, 68-foot beam, and 30-foot depth, the vessel traveled to several countries across the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, including Scotland, Morroco, and Aruba, and was also present in Japan for the Tokyo Bay Surrender Ceremony in 1945.

In the years following its decommissioning in 1946, the freighter underwent a series of ownerships, name changes, and expansions. It was renamed the Walter A. Sterling after its purchase by the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company in 1960. The freighter underwent several expansions, measuring up to 826′ x 75′ x 39′ and supported a 29,360-ton capacity. The ship was sold to the Ford Motor fleet in 1985 and was renamed the William Clay. The vessel would be acquired four years later in 1989 by the Interlake Steamship Company. It was christened Lee A. Tregurtha after the wife of the company’s vice chairman.

The historic carrier arrived at Marquette’s Ore Dock around 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday after traveling from Dearborn, Michigan. It will carry nearly 26,000 tons of taconite pellets en route to Burn Harbor, Indiana.

Click here for full article

Upper Michigan’s Source

Harrowing stories resurface in newly discovered Lake Superior shipwreck

In its final moments trapped in a storm south of Isle Royale, the freighter Henry Steinbrenner listed then surrendered, tossing the crew members still left on deck into the unforgiving grip of Lake Superior.

Adrift amid mountainous and frigid waves, the men who managed to escape the sinking freighter clung to lifeboats — clung to life itself — as the spring storm raged around them.

“My mouth got full of water. I was getting numb. Just then the ship started to go down and the awful suction started pulling me down with it,” a survivor, Bernard Oberoski, told a Duluth Herald reporter the next day. “The water closed over me. I wondered how my mother and father would take the news that I had been lost at sea.”

Oberoski fought his way to the surface and spotted a lifeboat the men had set loose just before the ship went under. As he struggled to make headway in the freezing water, “a giant wave just seemed to push the boat toward me,” he recounted. “It was really a miracle.”

For 17 of his shipmates, however, the miracle never came. Despite heroic efforts from the crews of ships who’d heard the Steinbrenner’s distress call and rushed to help, maneuvering their mammoth steel vessels with remarkable precision to find and pluck the half-frozen survivors from amid the waves, only 14 of 31 of the men aboard the Steinbrenner survived.

The story of the Steinbrenner — a tale of tragedy, survival and heroism on the big lake 70 years ago — was largely lost to time and fading memories. Until now.

The wreck of the Henry Steinbrenner was found earlier this month in 750 feet of water by a pair of Minnesota shipwreck-hunters, shedding new light on the story of the ship, its crew and those who came to save them.

“It’s important to remember these wrecks and the people that worked on the ships,” said Ken Merryman, who along with Jerry Eliason located the Steinbrenner. “When we find the wrecks, it’s a way of keeping the memories alive.”

Click here for full article

Minnesota Public Radio

NACC Argonaut Freed From Grounding

CORNWALL, ON –  Around 9 a.m. Tuesday the NACC Argonaut appears to be freed after it ran aground near Cornwall Sunday morning. Online navigation maps show the ship moving at 2-3 knots after sitting idle for more than 36 hours.

At least two tugboats are helping move the ship to Lake St. Francis for further inspection. Tug Ocean Intrepide was helping to stabilize the ship when it was stuck and listing to port. Tug Ocean K. Rusby was ready to help with the salvage operation.

Other ships in the Seaway are still motionless. Seaway officials said Monday 15 ships are anchored and waiting: 9 upbound and 6 downbound.

“Traffic has been halted just to avoid any vessels approaching the area around the vessel so we can ensure that boats aren’t getting close. We’re also monitoring with the shipping company themselves. So, they are working on a refloating plan to make sure that it is refloated and free from the ground in a safe manner,” said Jeremy Hennessy, communications, Canadian Coast Guard.

The Argonaut is carrying cement mix and was on its way to Oshawa from Montreal Sunday when it hit ground between St. Regis and Cornwall Island at buoy D90.

According to the Canadian Coast Guard, it has not been breached and all crew and cargo are safe.

No injuries were reported. Officials say the freighter is not taking on water and there’s no pollution to the river. Countermeasures are in place to prevent any spills. Officials say the grounding is not due to water levels.

WWNY

Joseph H. Thompson/tug Make Cleveland Stop to Offload Stores

Joseph H. Thompson and her tug Laura L. VanEnkevort were at Cleveland Tuesday morning offloading any useful ship’s stores before heading to Marine Recycling Corp. where the barge will be scrapped. It is unknown when the pair will depart.

Ship aground, Seaway traffic stopped

CORNWALL, ON – A freighter has run aground in the St. Lawrence Seaway near Cornwall, Ontario. According to the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, the NACC Argonaut went aground Sunday morning and has a list to port. Officials say the freighter is not taking on water, and there’s no pollution to the river.

Navigation has been stopped in that area. Salvage plans have begun, officials say.

NACC Argonaut is a Canadian freighter and carries raw cement to ports on the Great Lakes, according to online records, and was navigating from Montreal to Oshawa, near Toronto.

7NEWS has asked if the freighter was empty or loaded and Seaway officials told us its partially loaded with construction material. It is She is headed to Oshwa, ON, from Montreal.

The grounding comes as speed restrictions were put in place two days ago on some areas of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Friday, the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation put out a bulletin saying, “due to decreasing water levels, speed restrictions have been revised.”

Around Galop Island, northeast of Ogdensburg, speeds for upbound ships were dropped to 7 knots and 11 knots, depending on the vessel’s size. Ships going downriver were restricted to 11 knots and 13 knots depending on its draft.

WWNY

Update (20:30, September 24) – Ocean Intrepide is moving upbound tonight and is expected to reach the grounded vessel sometime after 02:00. A second tug, likely to be Ocean K. Rusby, will depart Quebec to join in the salvage. Initial salvage plan is said to have the tugs refloat the ship as soon as it’s deemed possible on Monday and move it to the Grasse Anchorage and then from there turn around and move it back downriver to Valleyfield.

Michael J. Folsom

Historic ferry Norisle scrap tow expected soon

The historic S.S. Norisle will be towed and dismantled in Port Colborne by early fall.

Assiginack Township Mayor Brenda Reid announced the demise of the ship at a special meeting of council stating the township and Marine Recycling Corporation in Port Colbourne had reached an agreement to have the ship towed from Manitowaning for up to 95% of the ship to be recycled.

Preparations for the towing is now underway and the ship is expected to be towed next week taking some six weeks for the recycling process.

She says the township will have to pay around $743,000 for the removal and recycling process.

She adds the costs include a special pilot, as well as American assistance between Lake St. Clair and the St. Mary’s River, and insurance.

Reid adds some decisions on the remaining five percent will have to be made, but the telegraph housed in the ship will be put on display in the Assiginack Museum.

Click here for full article

My Algoma Manitoulin Now

NACC Argonaut Aground Off Cornwall; Seaway Traffic Stopped

Badger receives $600,000 MARAD grant to explore conversion

Lake Michigan Carferry, Inc. was awarded $600,000 to support a zero-emission/carbon capture feasibility analysis to convert the SS Badger from a coal-fired steamship to a zero-emission ferry vessel. The project will facilitate the safe, sustainable, and efficient transfer movement of three types of freight: traditional semi-trailers, oversize loads, and project cargo. The service offers customers a more economical and efficient transportation route which allows truckers to avoid a 350-mile trip through Chicago on the heavily congested I-90. As the last coal-powered freight and passenger ferry in the United States, this project will embrace clean energy and support the United States Marine Highway Program’s initiative of reducing emissions.

Click here for full article

U.S. Department of Transportation

Goodtime I needs tow back to land after engine problem near Kelley’s Island

KELLEYS ISLAND, Ohio — The Goodtime I passenger boat needed to be towed back to land on Saturday evening after an engine problem caused the vessel to lose propulsion near Kelley’s Island.

According to the United States Coast Guard, the boat was on a regular excursion when it became disabled just before 8 p.m. After that point, the Goodtime could not move forward. The vessel required an escort, then a tow back to shore.

Click here for full article

WKYC 3

Historians race to find Great Lakes shipwrecks before quagga mussels destroy the sites

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Great Lakes’ frigid fresh water used to keep shipwrecks so well preserved that divers could see dishes in the cupboards. Downed planes that spent decades underwater were left so pristine they could practically fly again when archaeologists finally discovered them.

Now, an invasive mussel is destroying shipwrecks deep in the depths of the lakes, forcing archeologists and amateur historians into a race against time to find as many sites as they can before the region touching eight U.S. states and the Canadian province of Ontario loses any physical trace of its centuries-long maritime history.

“What you need to understand is every shipwreck is covered with quagga mussels in the lower Great Lakes,” Wisconsin state maritime archaeologist Tamara Thomsen said. “Everything. If you drain the lakes, you’ll get a bowl of quagga mussels.”

Quagga mussels, finger-sized mollusks with voracious appetites, have become the dominant invasive species in the lower Great Lakes over the past 30 years, according to biologists.

Click here for full article

Associated Press

Veteran laker Joseph H. Thompson headed to Port Colborne for scrapping

The next Great Lakes vessel to be scrapped at Port Colborne, ON, will be the self-unloading barge Joseph H. Thompson. Wayne Elliot, owner of Marine Recycling Corp., posted the news on his Facebook page Friday, saying her ETA will be Sept. 28.

The Thompson, which in the early 1950s was the largest vessel on the Great Lakes, has been at Bay Shipbuilding Co. since July; however, she has been found to need more work than economically justified. Her tug, Laura L. VanEnkevort, is expected to move the Thompson to the scrapyard, after which the tug will be laid up.

The Thompson was built by Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock in Chester PA, in early 1944 as the 515 foot C4-S-B2 cargo vessel Marine Robin for the U.S. Maritime Commission for the World War II effort. As the Marine Robin, the vessel made cross-Atlantic voyages for the war effort and was present at the Normandy invasion June 6, 1944. After the war, she was converted to a 714-foot-long Great Lakes cargo vessel. In 1991, she was converted to a self-unloading barge. Her most recent owner was VanEnkevort Tug & Barge of Escanaba, MI.

Click here to read more about the vessel’s history.

Roger LeLievre

Cleveland-Cliffs clashes with U.S. Steel as sale process gets underway, sources say

NEW YORK, Sept 20 (Reuters) – U.S. Steel Corp (X.N) is locked in a spat with rival steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs Inc (CLF.N) over a confidentiality pact that would allow the latter to participate in a sale process that is underway, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

U.S. Steel has not opened its books to Cliffs since announcing on Aug. 13 it will explore a sale, even as it accepts initial bids this week from other potential acquirers, because Cliffs will not agree to its conditions, the sources said.

…

Click here for full article

Reuters

Stelco wants all, or some, of U.S. Steel. But it’s complicated

Stelco Holdings Inc. is potentially jumping into the bidding war for United States Steel Corp., with analysts predicting the Hamilton-based company has its eye on foundries and mines its former parent may be forced to sell to win regulatory approval for a deal.

In August, one of North America’s largest steelmakers, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., put U.S. Steel in play by making a hostile, US$7.25-billion offer, made up of cash and stock. Since then, several other companies have joined the hunt, with steel distributor Esmark Inc. submitting a US$7.8-billion all-cash bid.

Several news services have reported that Stelco, backed by an unnamed partner, is considering an offer for U.S. Steel. Stelco spokespersons declined to comment on the company’s intentions.

…

Click here for full article

The Globe and Mail

Great Lakes steel production rises by 16,000 tons

Steel production rose by 16,000 tons in the Great Lakes region last week, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute. Steel mills in Indiana’s Great Lakes region made 571,000 tons of metal in the week that ended September 16, up from 555,000 tons the previous week.

…

Click here for full article

The Times of Northwest Indiana

Michigan lighthouse launches messages in bottles offering free stays

Sept. 22 (UPI) — The caretakers of a historic Michigan lighthouse are offering free stays at the landmark in an unusual contest involving messages in bottles tossed into the Great Lakes.

The White Shoal Light Historical Preservation Society announced the “message in a bottle contest” as part of the lighthouse’s 113th anniversary celebrations.

The offshore lighthouse, located about 20 miles west of the Mackinac Bridge in Lake Michigan, is the tallest lighthouse on the Great Lakes.

Each of the four messages in bottles, which were dropped into the Mackinac Straits, contains a message from one of four descendants of longtime lightkeeper George Keller. The messages feature various offers for a free stay for one, two or up to five people.

…

Click here for full article

UPI

Buoy tender Buckthorn takes first place in Coast Guard Olympics

Sault Ste. Marie, MI – Nearly 300 Coast Guardsmen from several District Nine Coast Guard Sectors in the Great Lakes took part in the Cutter Olympics held at Sector Sault Coast Guard base on Thursday, Sept. 21. Coasties from the USCGC Biscayne Bay, Katmai Bay, Buckthorn, Mobile Bay, Morro Bay, Mackinaw and Spar – as well as their vessels – arrived this past week for the event.

It is part of the Ninth District Cutter Roundup which is a week-long event that allows members to receive specialized training, provide discussions to enhance operations, test their seamanship skills and strengthen relationships among the crews.

Chief Boatswain’s Mate Paul Segura from USCG District Nine in Cleveland said he loves Sault Ste. Marie and is glad the event was held here. “We love coming to the communities that support the Coast Guard and we appreciate that support. It’s nice to bring everyone together and I think that is an important element. It gives us a chance to see that we have this great organization here being involved and you, as a community, helping us out and we appreciate that as well,” he said.

While the competition between the Coasties was legitimate, the bond they share being together in one place for several days is so important. “We do a lot of training and sometimes it’s hard to get that training due to the cutter schedules so this was an idea to bring the cutters to one spot to focus on training. But we also focus on spirit decor to emphasize good teamwork,” Segura continued.

Each Coast Guard District has its own form of Cutter Olympics. This is the first one that District Nine has done since 2011. The United Services Organizations (USO) provided lunch to all the members.

See below for a video of the event.

9-10 News, Roger LeLievre