McKeil tugs to tow Cuyahoga to Ashtabula Thursday

McKeil tugs Molly M1 and Ecosse are moored at Kingsville, ON, astern of the fire-damaged Cuyahoga. Waterfront sources indicate she will be towed to Ashtabula, OH, for repairs Thursday morning, weather permitting. The trip will take about 20 hours.

Groupe Desgagnes adds another cargo vessel

Groupe Desgagnes has acquired the BBC Chartering freighter BBC Parana, which will be delivered later this month. It is currently on its way to New London, CT from Grande Anse. It will be renamed Marcellin A. Desgagnes upon its return.

Michel Turcotte, Rene Beauchamp

A load of beet-pulp pellets marks return of Duluth’s long-idled Grain Elevator A5

DULUTH, MN – Beet-pulp pellets from Grain Elevator A were loaded on the Netherlands-bound vessel Maxima on Tuesday morning in the Duluth-Superior Harbor, a return to service for the century-old elevator that has hasn’t seen a ship since 2013.

The elevator that sits at the north end of Rice’s Point, previously owned by General Mills, was purchased by Hansen-Mueller Co., in 2022. Upgrades have been made to the storied facility in the past year, including roof repairs, a revamped compressed-air system and general maintenance to the elevator’s legs, belts and scales.

“It’s been a long road and it’s culminating today, starting what we hope will be a very long run here of this kind of activity in the port,” said Josh Hansen, president of the Omaha-based grain merchants.

The reopening comes after a shipping season with the lowest level of grain exports from the Duluth-Superior port since 1890 — even a 20% drop from 2021. In the next two days, about 12,300 short tons of beet pulp pellets will be loaded onto Maxima before it travels to the Netherlands.

“I think having us here with this capacity can only help bring further tonnage in and out,” Hansen said. “So that will be our aim — driving that up.”

Maxima arrived in Duluth on Monday, after spending a week at the Calumet Harbor port in Chicago.

Deb DeLuca, executive director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, said she has often been asked about the future of the long-empty grain elevator. It’s all part of a life cycle for a facility like this, she said.

“It takes awhile to find the correct buyer — and we found that in Hansen-Mueller,” she said, describing the company as experienced, family-run and Midwestern.

Grain Elevator A is 185 feet tall and has storage capacity of 3.5 million bushels. Consolidated Elevator Co. built the structure in 1908, using ceramic tile and brick to replace a wooden elevator that had previously stood on the site since 1894. It was then purchased by General Mills in 1943.

“She’s not a real looker,” Hansen said of the facility. “But she can get a lot done in a day. I think we’d all be super pleased if we looked as good as her at 115 [years old], and I know that we’d be happy if we could get the amount of work done at her age when we’re that old.”

Hansen-Mueller has owned the Daisy Elevator and Grain Elevator M complex in Superior, Wis., for about 20 years, facilities that use the railroad for transport. With the addition of Elevator A, the company has access to the St. Lawrence Seaway — in addition to rail and trucking options.

Star Tribune

Vantage Travel’s Ocean Explorer goes into layup; Great Lakes visits canceled

Vantage Deluxe World Travel’s Ocean Explorer and Ocean Odyssey have gone into layup at Caen, France, for an unknown period.

Ocean Explorer visited the Great Lakes in 2022 and had itineraries that included Great Lakes ports for 2023.

SunStone Maritime Group, which charters the two ships to Vantage on a long-term basis, confirmed they arrived at Caen this week carrying no passengers. They had been in service just prior to this.

SunStone’s Niels-Erik Lund said only that Vantage requested the layup, adding his company had not been informed how long it would last. He deferred further questions to Vantage. The Boston-based tour operator did not respond to several requests for information.

Part of SunStone’s China-built Infinity series, Ocean Explorer was delivered in 2021, and sister Ocean Odyssey in 2022. They have been scheduled on far-flung itineraries, from the British Isles to Antarctica, Asia and beyond.

This week, Ocean Explorer’s calls to a region whose spokesperson asked not to be named were canceled into early September.

Read more here: https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/finance/vantage-travels-ocean-explorer-ocean-odyssey-go-layup

Marine Mart June 10 in Port Huron

Nautical items and Great Lakes marine items bought and sold. See image in the gallery for details.

NEAS purchases BBC Arizona to serve Canada’s far north

Montreal-based NEAS (Nunavut Eastern Arctic Shipping Inc.) has acquired the saltwater general cargo vessel BBC Arizona (IMO 9501253), a frequent visitor to the Great Lakes, which has been renamed Sivumut. The 2010-built vessel will provide container services for customers across the Baffin, Kivalliq and Kitikmeot regions of Nunavut in Canada’s north. She is the fleet’s sixth vessel, joining Qamutik, Mitiq, Nunalik, Aujaq and Sinna. The vessels also trade on the Great Lakes and Seaway for Spliethoff in the off-season.

Rene Beauchamp

New rankings place Indiana No. 1 in inland ports, 2nd in Great Lakes

INDIANAPOLIS — For the first time, Indiana ports rank first among inland ports and second among Great Lakes ports for cargo shipments. Recent changes to federal port rankings caused Indiana to move from having multiple small port districts and many shipments not counted to having two top-ranked ports on the inland rivers and Great Lakes.

According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) most recent rankings, the Southern Indiana Port District handled 24.2 million tons in 2021, which ranked first among all inland ports and ahead of second-ranked Port of Pittsburgh’s 16.4 million tons.

The rankings are produced by the USCACE Navigation and Civil Works Decision Support Center, and are based on total tons shipped in 2021, the most recent data available.

“It’s extremely gratifying to see the new rankings reflect Indiana’s sizable impact on this country’s maritime commerce and the importance of our ports,” said Gov. Eric Holcomb.

“As governor of Indiana, my mission is to increase Indiana’s global competitiveness and our ports play a critical role by bringing the world to Indiana and connecting Indiana to the world. I am grateful to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for its ongoing efforts to modernize cargo data collection and recognizing the significance of our ports.”

For many years, Indiana has ranked among the top 15 states for waterborne shipments but due to the statistical boundaries used to qualify ports, many of Indiana’s shipments were not counted in the same way as other region’s ports. Changes proposed by Holcomb and Ports of Indiana allowed for the Corps of Engineers to reclassify Indiana’s Lake Michigan and Ohio River terminals as north and south districts that now include all tons shipped by Indiana businesses.

“This is the culmination of a decade-long effort to ensure Indiana’s robust maritime shipping industry is properly recognized on a national level,” said Ports of Indiana CEO Jody Peacock. “Indiana ranks 12th in the nation for waterborne shipping but we have never had any ports ranked among the national leaders until now. These rankings now fully recognize how much cargo is shipped through Indiana and elevate the ability of our ports to compete for new business, grant funding and global opportunities for Indiana.”

Ports of Indiana is a statewide port authority created by Indiana Code 8-10-1, and its Commission formally approved the establishment of two districts in 2020.

The southern district includes Ports of Indiana facilities in Mount Vernon and Jeffersonville, and private terminals along the 350 miles of the state’s Ohio River shoreline from Posey County to Dearborn County.

The northern district includes Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor, private terminals, and multiple steel mills along Indiana’s 43 miles of Lake Michigan coastline.

Thunder Bay’s ready for busy cruise ship season with more ships on the horizon

Thunder Bay has said goodbye to the first cruise ship that docked for the 2023 season, but there are plenty left to come. The Viking Octantis opened the season with a multi-day stop at Pool 6 last weekend. And city tourism manager Paul Pepe said a total of 15 cruise ship stops by four different ships have been booked for this season.

“The Octantis and the sister ship the Polaris are both here in port throughout the year, and then we have Hapag-Lloyd’s Hanseatic Inspiration arriving for the first of two visits on June 5,” he said. “And then we have American Queen Voyages returning with the Ocean Navigator on June 10.”

And next year is looking even better: Pepe said so far, 24 stops by five ships have been booked for the 2024 cruise season.

“Definitely we’re seeing a huge increase in activity amongst the global discovery cruising industry,” Pepe said. “They’re discovering the Great Lakes, and more specifically, they’re discovering Lake Superior and Thunder Bay.”

“That market is definitely picking up, and judging by what we hear in terms of the occupancy rates on board these vessels, they’re all selling well, and people are really interested to learn more about the Great Lakes. So the future is looking optimistic for for this new brand of tourism.”

And when the next ship arrives on June 5, passengers will have another attraction to visit: the Transportation Museum of Thunder Bay plans to have its new dockside market up-and-running by then. The market, which was announced earlier this month, will be located in a fenced-off area west of the cruise ship dock, near the Alexander Henry museum ship. The market will pop-up when cruise ships are docked there, giving local businesses and artisans a chance to sell their wares directly to passengers.

“We’ve brought in a load of earth and levelled out the area,” museum chair Wally Peterson said. “We’ve put down sod on the area, and we’re watering it and getting it all set down and ready. All I’m waiting for now is the gravel … to put the path in that we’re going to have, and we’re expecting that in the next couple of days.”

Culinary masters aboard Great Lakes freighters: Navigating the high seas of flavor

Freighters are mysterious creatures, grazing the horizon at what seems a glacier’s pace, laden with commodities like coal or iron ore.  We accept them as part of the Great Lakes’ landscape, but we don’t often think about what it takes to run them.

It turns out, it takes a sizable team. Freighters double as home and workspace for two dozen or more crew during long stretches away from shore. And, of course, everyone needs to eat. The idea of serving that many people may conjure up images of industrial food in tin pans or a mess hall with as much charm as a military barracks. But on many freighters sailing the Great Lakes, there are cooks known as galley stewards who are on a mission to elevate the onboard dining experience, while also creating a sense of community.

Sissy Payment, chief steward of the M/V Mesabi Miner, is one of them. Payment got the sailing bug from her brother and decided to make a career on Great Lakes freighters as a chef.  She’s not classically trained but rather honed her cooking skills on the job.

“I started as the second cook and I’ve learned a lot from working with other stewards,” Payment says. “I just paid attention.”

Read more here: https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/05/culinary-masters-great-lakes-freighters-navigating-high-seas-flavor/

Now Is Your Chance To Own A Michigan Lighthouse

Many Michiganders dream of owning a cottage on one of the Great Lakes, sitting on the outdoor deck, gazing across the wide-open waters. Now is your chance to purchase a Great Lakes getaway, and it actually sits in one of the Great Lakes. It’s a lighthouse.

The Keweenaw Waterway Lower Entrance Light is located at the end of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers breakwater in Houghton County, Michigan, and overlooks the mighty Lake Superior. The Federal Government says that due to the previous steward’s inability to comply with the requirements of the National Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000, the light is now available for purchase through public auction.”

So Just How Much Is This Going To Cost Me? The General Services Administration has placed the lonely lighthouse on the auction block and the opening bid is $10,000. Interested bidders must place a bid deposit of $2,500 to enter the bidding process.

In October of 2016 the North Manitou Shoal Light, which sits in Lake Michigan, 8 miles off-shore from Leland, Michigan, had four bidders and the winner paid $73,000. In September of that same year, the White Shoal Light, which sits west of the Mackinac Bridge, sold for $110,009. That’s not bad if you don’t mind sitting in the middle of one of the Great Lakes.

Read More: Now Is Your Chance To Own A Michigan Lighthouse | https://wbckfm.com/now-is-your-chance-to-own-a-michigan-lighthouse/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

See huge twin cruise ships both anchored off Mackinac Island

MACKINAC ISLAND, MI – The two largest cruise ships on the Great Lakes were both anchored off Mackinac Island Thursday. This is the first time the twin 665-foot Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris have been seen together at the same port.

The Viking Polaris entered the Great Lakes for the first time this season, making its first Michigan port of call on May 30 in Detroit. The Viking Octantis made its debut in 2022.

Mackinac Island resident Clark Bloswick, who retired from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources a few years ago, got up early to take the photo above. He has been taking photos for many years. They can often be found on the Mackinac Island News & Views Facebook page, where this photo was posted.

The Viking ships have four itineraries throughout the Great Lakes with ports of call in Canada and the United States this spring, summer and fall. Michigan ports of call include Alpena, Detroit and Mackinac Island. These ships can accommodate 378 guests in 189 staterooms.

Read more at this MLive link: https://www.mlive.com/news/2023/06/see-huge-twin-cruise-ships-both-anchored-off-mackinac-island.html

Photos: Historic coal-powered car ferry celebrates 70 years of service on Lake Michigan

LUDINGTON, MI – The last coal-powered passenger steamer operating in the United States is celebrating 70 years of service on Lake Michigan.

“We are proud of our 70 years of service and realize that we are able to do what we do because of our amazing and dedicated passengers and port cities,” said Shelby Soberalski, director of marketing and sales at Lake Michigan Carferry.

A birthday bash will be held later this summer, and the company is offering $70 mini cruises in honor of the anniversary.

Read more and view a photo gallery at this MLive link: https://www.mlive.com/news/2023/05/photos-historic-coal-powered-car-ferry-celebrates-70-years-of-service-on-lake-michigan.html?utm_campaign=grandrapidspress_sf&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR2Hhrr9P-ZmiXOJzBMZzxmR1bFByny3n4bDsd29oZmixLSDa1aCAUTvPUg

HELP WANTED – CHIEF ENGINEER: Interlake Logistics Solutions

We are looking for a Chief Engineer to join our Tug/Barge company that operates on the Great Lakes. Join our fleet and work a rotating schedule of 28 days on the vessel and 28 days off! Interlake Logistics Solutions, Inc. operates the versatile articulated tug-barge Undaunted-Pere Marquette, which carries diverse cargoes on the Great Lakes. Equipped to self-load cargo with an 800C John Deere excavator, long reach material handler, the uniquely outfitted vessel can utilize a clam bucket for flowable material or a five-tine grapple for large rocks and scrap metal.  The tug Undaunted that powers the Pere Marquette 41 is a repowered Navy ATA/Rescue Tug that served in World War II.  The barge Pere Marquette41 is the repurposed carferry City of Midland.

If interested, respond to cleonard@interlakems.com
Please see graphic below for more information

 Thunder Bay has the ‘best dock’ says Viking Octantis captain

THUNDER BAY, ON – It was a big day for the city when the Viking Octantis docked Thursday evening at Pool 6, kicking off cruise ship season. This marks the second year the cruise ship line has gone through the great lakes and docked in Thunder Bay. Last year was the first year a ship of its size had ever cruised the great lakes.

The ship’s captain, Håkan Gustafsson, told TBNewswatch that there have been vast improvements on the dock compared to last year, especially the added feature of the fenders for the boat, making docking the vessel a lot easier. He even went on to say that this is the “best one” and that it’s the most smooth.

The city’s tourism manager, Paul Pepe, says having the ships come to the city is a large economic boost, especially since this will be the first full season after Covid. Pepe said “visitors, staff and crew are spending while they are docked.” He continued that there will be vendors at future dockings ” The Transportation Museum of Thunder Bay will be offering market days on the next vessel visit on June 5. Vendors are being invited to set up at Pool 6.”

The ongoing updates to Pool 6 have contributed to a more welcoming space for visitors and crew, and Pepe says “credit goes to the city’s infrastructure and engineering department, they lead the way on the continual improvements. this is probably the most practical and functional marine terminal in the great lakes in its ability to accommodate coaches, vans buses, service vehicles and be walkable to the downtown”

A total of 14 passenger ships are expected to stop in Thunder Bay, including the Octantis’ sister ship the Viking Polaris. View photos here:

https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/best-dock-says-viking-octantis-on-their-2nd-year-7057754?utm_source=Villager&utm_campaign=Content&utm_medium=Facebook_Graph&fbclid=IwAR1fnUk-79W74Kwyk5J36zs_NKoeTwqu-UfnAumJkVF-8oFVeDErGstFiOc

Desgagnés expands by acquiring Valport’s activities

QUÉBEC CITY, QC – Desgagnés is expanding and has completed the acquisition of Valport Maritime Services Inc. (Valport) activities, a company specialized in cargo handling and storage services located at the Port of Valleyfield.  The transaction is effective May 26, 2023.

Desgagnés and the Société du Port de Valleyfield, a key stakeholder in this transaction, have also established a long-term leasing agreement for the facilities and port infrastructure.  This agreement lays the foundation for a collaborative approach for future projects and development initiatives.

The business philosophies of Valport and Desgagnés, supported by that of the Société du Port de Valleyfield, unite with the objective of continuing to build relationships based on trust, particularly with the employees, and with all stakeholders and clients in order to be attentive to their needs and to offer them value-added services.

Frank Dunn, Valport’s founder, will remain involved as a consultant to ensure a seamless transition for the clients.

Cargo handling and storage activities will continue to be carried out under the “Valport” brand name, which is already well-recognized in the industry.  This joining of forces will allow to leverage the expertise of both companies to contribute to the development of the organization, the Port, and the greater Valleyfield region.

Whitefish Point is undergoing parking lot reconstruction

WHITEFISH POINT, MI – The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society has announced that its parking lot project at Whitefish Point is moving along swiftly.

The construction company Payne and Dolan, along with the Chippewa County Road Commission, arrived at Whitefish Point on May 22 to begin work. The entire parking lot has been torn up and will be ready for reconstruction after the Memorial Day weekend.

“We have finished preparing the base for the north parking area, the expanded parking areas on either side of the road, and the roadway itself. Next, we will be working in the old gravel lot,” said Stephanie Boileau, county highway engineer of the Chippewa County Road Commission. “We will cease work earlier in the day on Friday and the parking lot can operate as normal during the holiday weekend.”

Boileau noted that the lot will remain gravel, so visitors are encouraged to remain alert and observant of their surroundings and expect uneven terrain.

“We thank our guests to Whitefish Point and the Shipwreck Museum for their patience as we work our way through these important construction projects. Accessibility is limited in certain areas, but we are still open daily at the museum from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” said Shipwreck Museum Executive Director Bruce Lynn.

Soo Today

Rebuilt wharf provides ‘unique’ St. Joseph Island experience

Boat nerds and just ordinary folks now have a 24-hour attraction at the C Line Wharf in Sailors Encampment, on the St. Marys River.

An upgraded, larger wharf has been constructed with new picnic tables, parking and interpretive signs to improve the visitor experience. Guests are now able to scan a simple QR code to view a real time map of large shipping vessels moving through the St. Mary’s Channel system, and find out when the next big ship will be coming through, a news release says.

Time your visit right and you can see these Great Lakes giants up close and in action. The St. Joseph Island Historical Society and Maria Smith provided information and photographs depicting the history of the area for the new signs.

Significant damage had been done to the existing wharf due to extraordinarily high water in 2019 and 2020. This presented both a challenge and an opportunity. Funding applications were made and the Township of St. Joseph received funding from FedNor.

“This is a great place to direct visiting friends and family to take in a unique St. Joseph Island experience in a beautiful location. If you’d like to plan your visit in advance just visit www.boatnerd.com and click on vessel locations to see a real-time map of all shipping traffic on the great lakes,” said the release.

Soo Today

Windsor port shifting transport to rail and water with help of federal funding

Windsor, ON – An infrastructure investment from the federal government announced Friday aims to make transporting cargo more efficient by using rail and waterways rather than roads.

Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra announced the $12.5 million in federal funding going toward the $27-million project.

“We all already knew that Windsor was at the nexus of one of the most — if not the most — important trade corridor for Canada, for Canadians,” Alghabra said. “And what we’re doing now is we’re building on that strategic advantage that Windsor has.”

The Port of Windsor will put in about $3.6 million and Essex Terminal Railway/Morterm will contribute nearly $10.9 million.

A new warehouse will be built as part of the project, as well as an expansion of the shore wall at the port and a new berth for ships. The aim is to allow more shipping from Montreal to Windsor over the water.

“[The ship berth will] provide opportunities for us to build capacity on that side as well as new warehousing, which will allow us to perform our transload activities that currently take place in one of our current warehouses,” said Tony De Thomasis, president and CEO with Essex Terminal Railway/Morterm.

“So we’ll have a dedicated warehouse to transload, which will allow greater efficiencies and capacity and greater volumes of steel to move through.” Transload is a term for the process of moving goods from mode of transportation to another on the way to its final destination.

Steve Salmons, president and CEO of the Windsor Port Authority, noted more than one million containers come into Ontario by truck and rail each year.

“Many people in this region are bringing in containers, you know through Montreal by truck or rail or they’re shipping them out by truck and rail because they don’t have a local option,” he said.

“With this announcement today, I think we’re going to spark a fuse of excitement to say wait, wait, wait, we can do it locally.”

A new cargo dock could also be built in future, which could be used for different purposes.

With the Gordie Howe International Bridge opening in the next few years, Windsor-Tecumseh MP Irek Kusmierczyk said this announcement marks another commitment to the city and region.

“You’re seeing these major investments that are coming that are really pulling all the pieces together here to make Windsor really the centre in terms of economic activity here in the Great Lakes region,” he said. “Transportation is absolutely critical to that. It’s one thing to build it, but you got to move it.”

In addition to easing congestion on roadways in the area — especially Highway 401 — the shift to using trains will also reduce pollution, a government news release said. “These improvements will prevent shoreline erosion and reduce the risk of flooding due to rising lake water levels caused by climate change,” the release said.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2024 and between 20 and 40 jobs are expected to be created.

CBC Windsor

Canada Plans $1.8 Billion Investment for New Coast Guard Small Vessels

The next phase of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy has been announced, focusing on the Canadian Coast Guard’s small vessels fleet. The federal government reports it will invest nearly C$2.5 billion (US$1.8 billion) for the renewal of its small ship fleet through the acquisition of up to 61 vessels. It is part of a strategy that was first launched over a decade ago investing in science and fisheries vessels, mid-size multi-purpose vessels, and ultimately two Polar icebreakers.

The new program focuses on small craft, barges, and work boats providing new equipment to the Canadian Coast Guard. The small vessels provide search and rescue services, assist disabled vessels, and support aid to navigation programs. So far, under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, 16 small vessels, including 14 search and rescue lifeboats and two channel survey and sounding vessels have been delivered to the Canadian Coast Guard.

The next phase calls for an investment to complete the renewal of the Canadian Coast Guard’s small vessels fleet, which plays a critical role, especially in shallow coastal waters and inland lakes and rivers. It will enable them to acquire six mid-shore multi-mission vessels and one near-shore fishery research vessel. It will also consist of 16 specialty vessels, ranging from shallow draft buoy tenders to science and enforcement vessels, air cushion boats, and search rescue lifeboats. The work will be specifically designated to smaller shipyards and suppliers across Canada to support the marine industry.

“This is a critical investment that will help modernize the Canadian Coast Guard’s small vessel fleet,” said Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. “We are making sure the Canadian Coast Guard has the equipment it needs to keep Canadians and Canada’s waterways safe, while also creating good-paying jobs across the country.”

It is the latest piece of the government’s long-term, multi-billion-dollar program focused on renewing the Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy fleets. Since the program was launched in 2012, the federal government reports contracts under the strategy are estimated to have contributed approximately C$25 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product.

The first newly built vessel commissioned on the program came in 2019, CCGS Sir John Franklin, the first of three Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels (OFSVs). The other two OFSVs – the CCGS Jacques Cartier and CCGS John Cabot – were delivered in November 2019 and October 2020. The 16 multi-purpose vessels were also provided and they carry out multiple missions, including icebreaking in moderate ice conditions and assisting in shipping and springtime flood control in the St. Lawrence waterway and Great Lakes region. They also perform search and rescue, emergency response, and security and protection missions, and maintain Canada’s aids to navigation.

Two Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships are also planned and they will serve missions including North Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) patrols, operating as the primary conservation and protection enforcement vessels on Canada’s east coast, and expanding its patrol capability into the low Arctic. In August 2019, the government also announced the planned procurement of six new program icebreakers to support year-round marine trade in Eastern Canada, the St. Lawrence Waterway, and the Great Lakes. Finally, the government plans two Polar icebreakers.

In addition to the shipbuilding efforts, the government has said it would invest C$2 billion for repairs, refits, and vessel life extension work on the existing fleet until new ships are delivered.

Maritime Executive

Cruise ship to visit Manistique Sunday

MANISTIQUE, MI – Finally it’s a yes. After weeks of speculation and discussion, paperwork filed, refiled, emails and phone conversations, Manistique Public Safety Director Tim Russell was able to confirm the cruise ship Hanseatic Inspiration will be arriving in our waters on May 28

Russell received the city’s final approval from the U.S. Coast Guard on their site plan on Tuesday.

The cruise ship is an international cruise with on-board languages of German and English. When describing the Great Lake excursion, they state “Cities, wilderness and adventures in nature: this cruise makes dreams come true for fans of the USA and Canada with the tremendous facets of the Great Lakes.”

The ship is expected to arrive approximately at 8:30 a.m. Sunday and the community will start to receive passengers shortly after 9 a.m. Passengers will be tendered from the ship to the docking piers on the boat landing side of the marina. Tenders will do regular rotations between the ship and docks all day with the last tender slated to leave at approximately 4:30 p.m.

The only way the cruise line would cancel the visit would be if there was a south east gale.

Approximately 200 passengers and another 50-60 crew members are expected to come to shore to tour the community and participate in planned excursions. Excursions may include Big Springs, Fayette State Park, Seul Choix Pointe Lighthouse and visiting the local businesses.

Passengers will have to go through a mobile TSA that will be set up prior to returning to their cruise ship. On May 31, it will leave Milwaukee, Wis., making its way back to Manistique for June 1 and is scheduled to return again on July 27.

More information on the cruise line can be found at www.hl-curises.com.

Cuyahoga towed to Kingsville to unload

The fire-damaged Cuyahoga was towed into Kingsville, ON, Thursday evening, arriving about 9 p.m. McKeil Marine’s tug Ecosse was at the bow and tug Stormont was on the stern. The arrival was not without incident, as the vessel ran aground on her way into the harbor.

Photos showed her minus her port anchor, which had to be cut away as there was no power to raise it. They also showed a ladder over the starboard side near the bow with what appeared to be a workboat tethered to it.

Cuyahoga was carrying a cargo of stone for Kingsville when she was disable by an engine room fire off Point Pelee in Lake Erie Tuesday night. The stone cargo will need to be unloaded at Southwestern Sales Co. before Cuyahoga is taken for repairs, lay up or retirement. Power is being provided by auxiliary generators. There is no information available as to what the future has in store for the 1943-built lakes veteran.

Watch a video by Sam Hankinson of the Cuyahoga arriving at Kingsville here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=066iy9dkhig

Marine Mart June 10 in Port Huron

Nautical items and Great Lakes marine items bought and sold. See image in the gallery for details.