In an unpredictable supply-chain, Great Lakes expect stable year of shipping

CLEVELAND, OH – The supply-chain still has kinks, the coastal ports still have congestion and the Russian invasion of Ukraine is drastically changing global markets tied to the Midwest. 

But despite the unpredictability, officials expect the St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes to see stable growth during the 2022 shipping season, just like it did during a global pandemic. “We remain bullish that that type of incremental growth is going to be repeated this season,” said Craig Middlebrook, Deputy Administrator of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp.

The St. Lawrence Seaway, which stretches from the Atlantic Ocean into the Great Lakes, moved 38.19 million metric tons of cargo to ports in Canada and the U.S. in 2021, a 1.6% uptick from 2020′s season that saw start of the COVID-19 pandemic. While tonnage varies each year, the shipping route averaged 38.17 million tons a year from 2015 to 2019, the five years before the pandemic. Middlebrook said the lack of change, while the COVID-19 pandemic was changing just about everything, stood out.

“People have noticed the stability and resiliency of our system over the last two years, compared to the challenges that have confronted the coastal ports,” Middlebrook said. What’s still unclear, he said, is how 2022′s world events will change this year’s shipping season. Ukraine, an exporter of both grain and raw materials used in steelmaking, is still being invaded. And the coastal ports are still struggling with the number of imports.

The St. Lawrence Seaway is already seeing more international vessels than last year, Middlebrook said. The bulk of the cargo shipped through the St. Lawrence Seaway is done in the back-half of the season, Middlebrook said, so answers will be clearer in a few months.

All sorts of items pass through the Great Lakes, but many of the imports are steel-related and project cargo, and many of the exports are grains — like wheat, soybeans and corn. Ukraine, still being invaded by Russia, was a bread-basket for Europe and a large exporter of raw materials used in steel production.

Suppliers will need to look elsewhere, and even if they don’t buy directly from North America, the shift in the global supply could mean more grain leaving from the Great Lakes, Middlebrook said. So far this year Canadian grain exports have been down, but U.S. exports have been up, he said. What’s being shipped now is leftovers from the last harvest in the fall.

Read the full article at this link: https://www.cleveland.com/business/2022/05/in-an-unpredictable-supply-chain-great-lakes-expect-stable-year-of-shipping.html

Cleveland.com

Options for raising the James Whalen tug are still being studied

THUNDER BAY, ON – Nearly three and a half weeks since it  sank, the historic tugboat James Whalen remains submerged in the Kam River. So far, there’s no timetable for a salvage operation.

City officials are still looking into how to best remove the boat from the water and transfer it to a location on land.

Cory Halvorsen – manager of parks and open spaces for the City of Thunder Bay – says “The weight of the tug itself is adding to the amount of time required to confirm the options available to us. There were no immediate options where we could deploy somebody and have it dealt with immediately.”

In an interview Tuesday, he explained that the city is “reaching out to as many local contractors in the area that have the type of equipment, barges and things like that, that might be required. There are some different options, so we want to make sure we’re looking at what is available and trying to do it in a timely manner.”

Halvorsen said it may be possible to lift the Whalen using a combination of a crane and airbags, but the precise approach still needs to be determined. Although he stressed that the focus right now is to raise the tug, Halvorsen acknowledged that the city has been in discussions with the Lakehead Transportation Museum Society about relocating it from the Kam River Heritage Park to the Pool 6 site near the Alexander Henry.

He said the boat will have to be inspected and assessed before any decision can be made on a permanent site. “We want to deal with this as quickly as we can, but it has to be done appropriately. We don’t want to mishandle it. We’re working on this daily.”

Halvorsen said the tug has not shifted since it went under, but divers may need to be sent down to check for possible damage to the hull before an attempt is made to recover it. ”That may be the last bit of information to inform the plan going forward,” he said.

TB News Watch

Know Your Ships book signing is Saturday at Port Huron

PORT HURON, MI – On Saturday May 28, the Great Lakes Maritime Center in Port Huron will host its 2022 “Know Your Ships” Book Signing with editor and publisher Roger LeLievre from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Along with the book, Roger will have Great Lakes caps and Stack & Flag charts for sale.

Great Lakes cartoonist / illustrator artist Don Lee, whose freighter cartoons have often appeared on Facebook, will have his easel and will sketch your likeness, with or without freighter (tips appreciated).

Also on hand will be Roger Hulett, author of “A Lot More To Do – Frank Mays Survival of the Tragic Carl D Bradley Sinking.” Ken Niemi, a Great Lakes historian, will have used maritime books, art and some artifacts for sale. 

If you can’t make Saturday’s Know Your Ships signing, Roger will also be set up Sunday, May 29, at the Mariner Theater, 430 S. Water St., Marine City, between noon and 3 p.m.

Great Lakes Maritime Center

Join us: History happy hour—sailor songs

It’s 5 o’clock and time to add a little history to your happy hour. This time we’re featuring sailor songs with singer, songwriter and musician Lee Murdock in front of the historic Col. James M. Schoonmaker museum ship. So, grab your friends for happy hour drinks and explore the museum grounds after-hours anytime between 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. to hear songs celebrating the people who live, work, and play on the Great Lakes.

The event is in partnership with North Cape Yacht Club. Tickets are $30 for NMGL members / North Cape Yacht Club members or $35 for non-members and includes light snacks and specialty cocktails created by Toledo Spirits (beer, wine and soft drinks will also be available). Participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and/or blankets to enjoy the sights and sounds.

Weather Note: The event will take place rain or shine, but we will move inside the museum if there is rain.

Click on this link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-happy-hour-sailor-songs-tickets-336678714097

National Museum of the Great Lakes

Help wanted: Lake Michigan Carferry

Lake Michigan Carferry is accepting applications for placement in the engine department aboard the historic S.S. Badger.  Candidates must possess a Merchant Mariner’s Credential with QMED (Fireman/Oiler/Watertender) endorsement, a current Medical Certificate and a valid TWIC card.  QMED will expect to live aboard and stand a 4 hour watch, twice a day, 7 days a week for the remainder of the 2022 sailing season (as soon as possible to Oct 16th, 2022) QMED wage is $28.91p/hr ($43.37 for OT hours).   Visit our web site at http://www.ssbadger.com > Join the Crew to fill out an online application or email lbialochowski@interlakems.com  for more information.

Time running out for Boatnerd freighter-chasing cruise early bird rate

After going on pandemic hiatus for the last two years, the Annual Boatnerd Soo Freighter Chasing Cruise is back in business!

•When: Friday – June 24, 6–9 pm, rain or shine

•Where: Soo Locks Boat Tours, Dock #2 (next to the Valley Camp)

•Limit: 100 passengers

•Food: Pizza and salad included with paid passage

•General Admission (US funds): Early Bird rate $30.00 each, $35.00 each from June 1-June 17

•Youth Admission (US funds): Early Bird rate $20.00 each, $25.00 each from June 1-June 17. Youth admission applies to those under 18.

This year’s St. Marys River cruise will be aboard a Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours boat on Friday, June 24. Boarding begins at 5:30 pm, and we cast off at 6pm. The cruise is three hours long. We plan to travel through the U.S. Locks, but that may change in order to chase freighters. (NOTE: At this time, we can approach the Canadian Locks, but not transit through them. We can also approach Algoma Steel, but we cannot enter the slip.)

Pizza and salad are included in paid passage. There will be a cash bar on board. You can bring your own food and beverages (no alcohol).

Reservations are a must, as the group is limited to 100 passengers. Reservations (both online and mail-in) must be received no later than Friday, June 17. Buy tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/2p86wujf

If the cruise is not sold out, Angie Williams will take CASH ONLY reservations through the end of the Boatnerd Picnic on Thursday, June 23, at the Procrastinator Price of $40.00 per General Admission ticket, and $30 per youth ticket.

Contact Angie at griffinclawangie@gmail.com or 734-386-0899 if you have questions or wish to reserve without using EventBrite,.

The Boatnerd  Picnic will be Thursday, June 23, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Sherman Park, just west of the locks. Bring a dish to pass. Burgers, hot dogs, buns and condiments will be provided by Boatnerd. Free.) Save the date and think early about your travel plans and lodging. The event will be held rain or shine, but lets hope for sunshine!

Events are in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers annual Engineer’s Day (Friday, June 24) open house at the Soo Locks, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

American Courage freed after running aground on Lake Erie near Fairport Harbor

FAIRPORT, OH – An American freighter again is afloat on Lake Erie after it was stuck for more than a day after running aground near Fairport Harbor, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard announced just after 4 a.m. Tuesday that the American Courage, which is more than 600 feet long, had been freed and was heading into Fairport Harbor on its own power. The large freighter reportedly had been stuck since early Sunday afternoon.

Two tugboats worked to free the boat on Sunday but were unsuccessful. Another large freighter, the Manitowoc, was brought in Monday to help lighten the cargo load of the American Courage, the Coast Guard says.

A third tugboat was brought in to help free the ship on Monday, according to the Coast Guard. There were no reports of injuries and also no signs of pollution from the ship.

The American Courage typically hauls iron ore pellets, coal and limestone, according to the American Steamship Co. It can hold more than 24,000 tons of cargo. It was built in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and has been in service since 1979.

Cleveland.com

Watch drone footage of the aground American Courage at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhSF3G-ReEo

USS Minneapolis-St. Paul commissioned during ceremony 

DULUTH, MN – History was made in the Twin Ports on the morning of Saturday, May 21 as USS Minneapolis-St. Paul (LCS-21) was officially commissioned into the active fleet of the United States Navy.

Well-attended by guests and dignitaries alike, the ceremonies began 10:00 at Berth 8 of the Duluth Port Authority’s Arthur M. Clure Public Marine Terminal, where the vessel had been docked since her arrival in port on May 16. Distinguished guests included Representative Betty McCollum from Minnesota’s 4th district; Representative Pete Stauber of Minnesota’s 8th district; Mayors Jacob Frey, Melvin Carter, and Emily Larson of Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Duluth, respectively; Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota; and officials from the United States Navy, Lockheed Martin Integrated Warfare Systems and Sensors, and Fincantieri Marinette Marine. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was also in attendance, and received a 21-gun salute from cannons on the pier at the opening of the event.

Following speeches by officials, the Minneapolis-St. Paul was officially placed into the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Colors were hoisted, the commissioning pennant was broken on the mast, and with Cmdr. Alfonzo White given control of the vessel, the ship’s sponsor Jodi Greene gave the order to bring her to life. A quartet of Minnesota National Guard helicopters flew over the Minneapolis-St. Paul to cap off the event as the crew ran aboard and activated her systems to the tune of “Anchors Aweigh.”

USS Minneapolis-St. Paul was launched and christened on June 15, 2019 at Fincantieri Marinette Marine and delivered on November 18, 2021, according to the U.S. Navy. She will have a home port of Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida. Named in honor of Minnesota’s capital St. Paul and the neighboring city of Minneapolis, the vessel is the first Navy craft with a Minnesotan namesake to be commissioned in the state itself. Both cities have been honored separately as vessel namesakes on two occasions each, and this is the second time that the Twin Cities have been jointly recognized on a hull. The first USS Minneapolis-St. Paul, SSN-708, was a 1983-built Los Angeles-class attack submarine decommissioned in 2007.

Carrying a designation LCS-21, the present-day Minneapolis-St. Paul is a Freedom-class variant in the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship program and the 21st vessel constructed as part of the program. She measures 387 feet in length, 57.7 feet in width, and has a draft of 14.1 feet at a full load displacement of 3,450 metric tons. Designed to operate at high speeds in shallow (littoral) waters, the Minneapolis-St. Paul is propelled by twin steerable water jets giving her a top speed in excess of 40 knots. Lockheed Martin lists the vessel as capable of carrying MH-60 helicopters and an MQ-8 Firescout unmanned aerial vehicle, increasing her survivability in conjunction with a TRD-4S Air Search Radar, SeaRAM (r) 57 mm Mk 110 gun, and decoy launching system all operated by a state-of-the-art COMBATSS-21 combat management system. She carries a core crew of 50 sailors with accommodations for up to 98 crew members.

As of Monday night, the commissioned Minneapolis-St. Paul remains tied up at her Port Terminal berth, awaiting a departure out the St. Lawrence Seaway and entry into active military service. Wherever her duties take her, the vessel’s Minnesota roots will forever be with her and her crew as they defend America, her allies, and freedom throughout the world. In the words of the ship’s motto, AUT VIAM INVENIAM AUT FACIAM: I will find a way or make one.

Joshua Hebeisen

Royal Canadian Navy ships to visit St. Lawrence Seaway-Great Lakes communities in 2022

The Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) Great Lakes Deployment (GLD) 2022 will soon be underway with planned visits to communities along the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes, with Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Oriole (May 14 to August 31) and Glace Bay (June 24 to July 29) being this year’s GLD ambassadors.

GLD provides Canadians with a unique opportunity to tour one of Canada’s naval ships and to learn about life in the RCN from our sailors. Canadians will be encouraged to stop by, say hello, and speak to our sailors about their experiences on domestic and international operations.

It also provides a learning opportunity about the different trades available in the RCN and hear stories and anecdotes directly from sailors who have chosen the challenge of a career at sea.

View the full schedule at this link: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2022/05/royal-canadian-navy-ships-to-visit-st-lawrence-seaway-great-lakes-communities-in-2022.html?fbclid=IwAR1eSqvBDxeZwKTPtgste7NNG9jCwU2j7dRvrN0EuKHqsHu_9ZTS8jD8bdc

Government of Canada

Know Your Ships book signing is Saturday at Port Huron

PORT HURON, MI – On Saturday May 28, the Great Lakes Maritime Center in Port Huron will host its 2022 “Know Your Ships” Book Signing with editor and publisher Roger LeLievre from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Along with the book, Roger will have Great Lakes caps and Stack & Flag charts for sale.

Great Lakes cartoonist / illustrator artist Don Lee, whose freighter cartoons have often appeared on Facebook, will have his easel and will sketch your likeness, with or without freighter (tips appreciated).

Also on hand will be Roger Hulett, author of “A Lot More To Do – Frank Mays Survival of the Tragic Carl D Bradley Sinking.” Ken Niemi, a Great Lakes historian, will have used maritime books, art and some artifacts for sale. 

If you can’t make Saturday’s Know Your Ships signing, Roger will also be set up Sunday, May 29, at the Mariner Theater, 430 S. Water St., Marine City, between noon and 3 p.m.

Great Lakes Maritime Center

Help wanted: Lake Michigan Carferry

Lake Michigan Carferry is accepting applications for placement in the engine department aboard the historic S.S. Badger.  Candidates must possess a Merchant Mariner’s Credential with QMED (Fireman/Oiler/Watertender) endorsement, a current Medical Certificate and a valid TWIC card.  QMED will expect to live aboard and stand a 4 hour watch, twice a day, 7 days a week for the remainder of the 2022 sailing season (as soon as possible to Oct 16th, 2022) QMED wage is $28.91p/hr ($43.37 for OT hours).   Visit our web site at http://www.ssbadger.com > Join the Crew to fill out an online application or email lbialochowski@interlakems.com  for more information.

Time running out for Boatnerd freighter-chasing cruise early bird rate

After going on pandemic hiatus for the last two years, the Annual Boatnerd Soo Freighter Chasing Cruise is back in business!

•When: Friday – June 24, 6–9 pm, rain or shine

•Where: Soo Locks Boat Tours, Dock #2 (next to the Valley Camp)

•Limit: 100 passengers

•Food: Pizza and salad included with paid passage

•General Admission (US funds): Early Bird rate $30.00 each, $35.00 each from June 1-June 17

•Youth Admission (US funds): Early Bird rate $20.00 each, $25.00 each from June 1-June 17. Youth admission applies to those under 18.

This year’s St. Marys River cruise will be aboard a Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours boat on Friday, June 24. Boarding begins at 5:30 pm, and we cast off at 6pm. The cruise is three hours long. We plan to travel through the U.S. Locks, but that may change in order to chase freighters. (NOTE: At this time, we can approach the Canadian Locks, but not transit through them. We can also approach Algoma Steel, but we cannot enter the slip.)

Pizza and salad are included in paid passage. There will be a cash bar on board. You can bring your own food and beverages (no alcohol).

Reservations are a must, as the group is limited to 100 passengers. Reservations (both online and mail-in) must be received no later than Friday, June 17. Buy tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/2p86wujf

If the cruise is not sold out, Angie Williams will take CASH ONLY reservations through the end of the Boatnerd Picnic on Thursday, June 23, at the Procrastinator Price of $40.00 per General Admission ticket, and $30 per youth ticket.

Contact Angie at griffinclawangie@gmail.com or 734-386-0899 if you have questions or wish to reserve without using EventBrite,.

The Boatnerd  Picnic will be Thursday, June 23, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Sherman Park, just west of the locks. Bring a dish to pass. Burgers, hot dogs, buns and condiments will be provided by Boatnerd. Free.) Save the date and think early about your travel plans and lodging. The event will be held rain or shine, but lets hope for sunshine!

Events are in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers annual Engineer’s Day (Friday, June 24) open house at the Soo Locks, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

American Courage aground off Fairport Harbor

MARBLEHEAD, OH – Around 9 am local time, the self-unloading vessel American Courage ran aground off the Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Light while attempting to back into port. The American Courage is currently loaded with limestone from Marblehead, Ohio, and as of Monday morning remained aground while Great Lakes Towing’s tugs Ohio and Pennsylvania were nearby in an attempt to free the vessel. It is unknown if there has been any damage to the hull.

Jack Hurt

Expanding container shipping along the Great Lakes and Seaway

The rise in fuel prices has prompted renewed interest in expanding container shipping at America’s Great Lakes ports, like Duluth and Cleveland. There is potential for Port of Duluth to develop containerized dry bulk agricultural exports to Europe, where growing numbers of customers are willing to take delivery of containers of agricultural produce.

The Port of Cleveland played an instrumental role in developing viable container shipping between Europe and the Great Lakes when it  introduced a direct service to Antwerp. A comparatively small container ship of under 1,000 TEU has feasibly carried containers between Antwerp and Cleveland, with rates that compete with the alternative option – a mega-size container ship sailing to Port of Newark followed by high-cost railway connection to Cleveland. The Port of Duluth involves an even greater railway distance (1250 miles), making direct Duluth – Europe container shipping potentially more attractive.

The Port of Hamilton on Lake Ontario took the initiative to develop a maritime container connection to the Port of Montreal, with future potential to expand to include a future interline connection to the Port of Halifax. There is potential for a viable Europe – Halifax – Hamilton connection courtesy of terms negotiated in the Canada – Europe Trade Agreement (CETA) that makes provision for container transshipment at Port of Halifax.

The precedent of the Antwerp – Cleveland container shipping service provides an economic basis and business case to extend the service to Port of Duluth, located in the western region of Lake Superior. Duluth’s metro population of 290,000 is located within close proximity to the Minneapolis – St. Paul metropolitan area, with a population of almost 3.7 million. Nearby Winnipeg, Canada is home to another 825,000. The Port of Duluth can serve a population of over 10-million that would include the states of North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska and the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

While ports around the Great Lakes represent destinations for containers that originate from overseas, there is a need to develop an export market involving empty containers that arrived with import items near Great Lakes and Seaway ports. An initiative involving the transportation of dry bulk in containers has been tested along sections of the American inland waterway system, involving tugs and barge tows. Agricultural dry bulk includes wheat, barley, oats, soy, peas, beans and corn with non-agricultural dry bulk including salt and also of potash fertilizer that may be transported inside containers.

Agricultural dry bulk cultivated in regions that could be exported in containers via Port of Duluth include durum wheat, spring wheat, corn, soy, peas, beans, lentils, barley and oats. Main production areas would include North and South Dakota along with Saskatchewan and Manitoba in Canada. Saskatchewan is the world’s biggest exporter of peas, lentils, durum wheat and oats as well as being the world’s leading producer of potash that is used for fertilizer. Main highways and railway lines link Port of Duluth with important American and main Canadian agricultural regions that would benefit from containerized export of their produce.

European markets have indicated a willingness to accept delivery of containers of dry bulk agricultural produce. There is potential to connect Port of Duluth with European ports that would accept delivery of containerized dry bulk agricultural production. Railway trains would carry most of the containers of agricultural dry bulk from producing areas to Port of Duluth, for transfer to Seaway-max size container ships of up to 1,400 TEU capacity. The vessels on this route could take aboard additional containers of agricultural dry bulk at one of the ports along the St. Lawrence Seaway prior to sailing to Europe.

At the present time, the Port of Cleveland is the main destination on the Great Lakes for container ships that connect to Europe. The potential to transfer containerized agricultural dry bulk for export to overseas markets at Port of Duluth would significantly increase container shipping along the Seaway and across the Great lakes. While there might be the option to transfer containers between smaller vessels and mega-size container ships at Port of Halifax, the precedent between Ports of Cleveland and Antwerp has proven that a small container ship can feasibly sail between the Great Lakes and Europe.

European customers have become willing to take delivery of containerized agricultural dry bulk from North America. Such a shift in the market provides opportunity for Port of Duluth to develop agricultural dry bulk container shipping to Europe and make productive use of available empty containers. Such an operation would complement the export of agricultural dry bulk from the Port of Thunder Bay, where bulk carriers are often loaded to capacity before sailing to European destinations.

The Maritime Executive

Know Your Ships book signing is Saturday at Port Huron

PORT HURON, MI – On Saturday May 28, the Great Lakes Maritime Center in Port Huron will host its 2022 “Know Your Ships” Book Signing with editor and publisher Roger LeLievre from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Along with the book, Roger will have Great Lakes caps and Stack & Flag charts for sale.

Great Lakes cartoonist / illustrator artist Don Lee, whose freighter cartoons have often appeared on Facebook, will have his easel and will sketch your likeness, with or without freighter (tips appreciated).

Also on hand will be Roger Hulett, author of “A Lot More To Do – Frank Mays Survival of the Tragic Carl D Bradley Sinking.” Ken Niemi, a Great Lakes historian, will have used maritime books, art and some artifacts for sale. 

If you can’t make Saturday’s Know Your Ships signing, Roger will also be set up Sunday, May 29, at the Mariner Theater, 430 S. Water St., Marine City, between noon and 3 p.m.

Great Lakes Maritime Center

Help wanted: Lake Michigan Carferry

Lake Michigan Carferry is accepting applications for placement in the engine department aboard the historic S.S. Badger.  Candidates must possess a Merchant Mariner’s Credential with QMED (Fireman/Oiler/Watertender) endorsement, a current Medical Certificate and a valid TWIC card.  QMED will expect to live aboard and stand a 4 hour watch, twice a day, 7 days a week for the remainder of the 2022 sailing season (as soon as possible to Oct 16th, 2022) QMED wage is $28.91p/hr ($43.37 for OT hours).   Visit our web site at http://www.ssbadger.com > Join the Crew to fill out an online application or email lbialochowski@interlakems.com  for more information.

Time running out for Boatnerd freighter-chasing cruise early bird rate

After going on pandemic hiatus for the last two years, the Annual Boatnerd Soo Freighter Chasing Cruise is back in business!

•When: Friday – June 24, 6–9 pm, rain or shine

•Where: Soo Locks Boat Tours, Dock #2 (next to the Valley Camp)

•Limit: 100 passengers

•Food: Pizza and salad included with paid passage

•General Admission (US funds): Early Bird rate $30.00 each, $35.00 each from June 1-June 17

•Youth Admission (US funds): Early Bird rate $20.00 each, $25.00 each from June 1-June 17. Youth admission applies to those under 18.

This year’s St. Marys River cruise will be aboard a Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours boat on Friday, June 24. Boarding begins at 5:30 pm, and we cast off at 6pm. The cruise is three hours long. We plan to travel through the U.S. Locks, but that may change in order to chase freighters. (NOTE: At this time, we can approach the Canadian Locks, but not transit through them. We can also approach Algoma Steel, but we cannot enter the slip.)

Pizza and salad are included in paid passage. There will be a cash bar on board. You can bring your own food and beverages (no alcohol).

Reservations are a must, as the group is limited to 100 passengers. Reservations (both online and mail-in) must be received no later than Friday, June 17. Buy tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/2p86wujf

If the cruise is not sold out, Angie Williams will take CASH ONLY reservations through the end of the Boatnerd Picnic on Thursday, June 23, at the Procrastinator Price of $40.00 per General Admission ticket, and $30 per youth ticket.

Contact Angie at griffinclawangie@gmail.com or 734-386-0899 if you have questions or wish to reserve without using EventBrite,.

The Boatnerd  Picnic will be Thursday, June 23, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Sherman Park, just west of the locks. Bring a dish to pass. Burgers, hot dogs, buns and condiments will be provided by Boatnerd. Free.) Save the date and think early about your travel plans and lodging. The event will be held rain or shine, but lets hope for sunshine!

Events are in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers annual Engineer’s Day (Friday, June 24) open house at the Soo Locks, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

National Maritime Day celebrates importance of ships in Upper Michigan

MARQUETTE, MI – Sunday is National Maritime Day. It’s a time to reflect on its importance in Upper Michigan.

Lake Carriers’ Association Vice President Eric Peace said the industry could not function without all of those who work on the ships that carry cargo across the Great Lakes. “The men and women that are operating these vessels don’t get a lot of credit, but they should,” Peace said. “Everything they do contributes to everything we have.”

Peace said that the $2.3 trillion economic stimulus package known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed by Congress in 2021 would not be possible without much of the material being carried by freighters across the Great Lakes. Peace added that the infrastructural developments taking place across the US rely on shipments from the Great Lakes Region.

“None of that happens without the movement of raw materials to actually get things built,” Peace said. “This includes concrete, cement, iron ore, and more. All of those things are going to depend on US shipping here on the Great Lakes.” The employees that work on these freighters are known as merchant marines. They are largely responsible for transporting materials like iron ore across the Great Lakes. Peace said the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 requires all ships in US ports to be made in the US, which Peace said contributes further to our economy. “All of the vessels that we represent are US-flagged, US crewed and US-owned,” Peace said. “Nothing in this sector of the supply chain is dependent on a foreign country to move that cargo.”

Peace said that iron ore shipped across the Great Lakes is used to create steel, something Marquette Maritime Museum Director Hillary Billman added is an essential metal. “That car you’re driving has got so many steel components in it,” Billman said. “There are so many things that use steel, including cell phones. Just about everything relies on iron ore.”

Marquette has relied heavily on mining and shipping iron ore across the Great Lakes since 1849. “People living in Marquette at the time had to find a place to ship this iron ore out, so that is when the City of Marquette became a port,” Billman said. “It has been one of the most important ports on Lake Superior for a long time.”

Although Duluth, Minn. has the largest port by tonnage on Lake Superior, Peace said the maritime industry is still one of the largest businesses in the Upper Peninsula. “We ship about 6.5 million tons of iron ore out of Marquette every year which goes to ports in the southern Great Lakes,” Peace said. “There are about 165,000 jobs that are dependent on the maritime industry here in the Great Lakes Region.” This material is all shipped from the Upper Harbor Ore Dock.

Besides transporting iron ore, the maritime industry carries out other important tasks. Peace said the industry is responsible for commercial fishing across Lake Superior and added that the maritime industry has helped construct some of the largest cities in the midwest. “Chicago was built by shipping that came from the northern Great Lakes region,” Peace said. “The ships took timber and brought it down to Chicago to build the city. A lot of cities to the south of the UP were built by timber that came out of northern Michigan.”

In addition to National Maritime Day, Congress awarded merchant marines serving in World War II with the Congressional Gold Medal on Wednesday. “Over 250,000 merchant mariners participated in World War II,” Peace said. “They lost over 6,700 people across 800 ships. Getting cargo across the North Atlantic was a very treacherous mission for them, and they were never really formally recognized until this week.”

Upper Michigan Source, NBC TV 6

Tug Don Raul headed for Buffalo to work on Corps project

MONTREAL, QC – The American tug Don Raul was headed towards Buffalo Saturday. It should call at Montreal and depart Sunday for the Seaway. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District awarded a $8.4 million contract to Cleveland-based Great Lakes Towing on April 20 for lease of the tugboat to serve as part of its repair fleet on the Great Lakes. Don Raul, a 74-foot, 2,800 horsepower, twin-screw seagoing tug, was built by Great Lakes Shipyard in 2008 and Handy One.

Rene Beauchamp

Great Lakes Maritime Academy cadets depart for summer cruise

TRAVERSE CITY, MI – Cadets from the Great Lakes Maritime Academy departed Traverse City on Saturday night aboard the training ship State of Michigan to begin phase one of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy’s spring/summer cruise.

This year the Great Lakes Maritime Academy will have three phases, allowing different cadets to rotate on and off the vessel to acquire the appropriate amount of sea time in order to test for their licenses. 

Cadets will stand watch in the pilot house or engine room, depending on the program they’re in, and go through practical training while also experiencing life at sea.

To follow the State of Michigan’s schedule click on this link: https://www.nmc.edu/maritime/about/cruise-itinerary.html

Jack Hurt

Know Your Ships book signing is Saturday at Port Huron

PORT HURON, MI – On Saturday May 28, the Great Lakes Maritime Center in Port Huron will host its 2022 “Know Your Ships” Book Signing with editor and publisher Roger LeLievre from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Along with the book, Roger will have Great Lakes caps and Stack & Flag charts for sale.

Great Lakes cartoonist / illustrator artist Don Lee, whose freighter cartoons have often appeared on Facebook, will have his easel and will sketch your likeness, with or without freighter (tips appreciated).

Also on hand will be Roger Hulett, author of “A Lot More To Do – Frank Mays Survival of the Tragic Carl D Bradley Sinking.” Ken Niemi, a Great Lakes historian, will have used maritime books, art and some artifacts for sale. 

If you can’t make Saturday’s Know Your Ships signing, Roger will also be set up Sunday, May 29, at the Mariner Theater, 430 S. Water St., Marine City, between noon and 3 p.m.

Great Lakes Maritime Center

Marine Mart in Port Huron to resume in June

PORT HURON, MI – A long-standing tradition, sidelined by COVID, will make a return this year in a new location. The Summer Marine Mart, formerly the St. Clair Marine Mart, will be held Saturday, June 11, at the American Legion Post #8, 1026 Sixth St., in Port Huron, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The Mart features nautical items, artifacts, photos, books, artwork, models, postcards and more. See the poster in the image gallery below for more information.

Help wanted: Lake Michigan Carferry

Lake Michigan Carferry is accepting applications for placement in the engine department aboard the historic S.S. Badger.  Candidates must possess a Merchant Mariner’s Credential with QMED (Fireman/Oiler/Watertender) endorsement, a current Medical Certificate and a valid TWIC card.  QMED will expect to live aboard and stand a 4 hour watch, twice a day, 7 days a week for the remainder of the 2022 sailing season (as soon as possible to Oct 16th, 2022) QMED wage is $28.91p/hr ($43.37 for OT hours).   Visit our web site at http://www.ssbadger.com > Join the Crew to fill out an online application or email lbialochowski@interlakems.com  for more information.

Great Lakes shipping sees strong start to the season led by grain exports

Shipping on the Great Lakes has kicked off with a bang this season as ports in the region step up to fill the global void of grain caused by the war in Ukraine.

The Great Lakes Seaway Partnership (GLSP) said grain exports out of the U.S. through the Great Lakes reached 176,000 metric tons since the start of the season in March, a 175% increase from the 64,000 exported during the same time frame last year. Imports of renewable energy components, particularly wind, are also up.

“In times like this, it is reassuring to see our ports in the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System working hard to keep the supply chain moving,” Craig H. Middlebrook, Deputy Administrator of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation said. “The Great Lakes Seaway marine transportation system is critical infrastructure, and remains vital to keeping commerce flowing without disruption in order to support North America’s agricultural, manufacturing, construction, energy, and mining industries.”

Looking at individual ports, the Port of Oswego on Lake Ontario received one shipment of wind equipment from South Korea and two shipments of aluminum from Quebec, while it exported a shipment of soybeans to Ireland. The Port of Oswego has also stepped up to help meet global grain demand amid the war with its first export of the season being 18,000 metric tons of soybeans to Europe, and the port expects more of these exports to be made throughout the season.

“Given the consequences to global food supply amid the war in Ukraine, the rest of the world has had to step up to fill the void.” said William W. Scriber, director of the Port of Oswego. “Here in Oswego, we’re proud to be a major player in helping the world meet its demand for grains.”

The Port of Ogdensburg, also on Lake Ontario, also received a shipment of wind equipment from India, indicating the State of New York as a leading destination for renewable energy material imports.

On Lake Erie, the Port of Cleveland has proved to be a leading importer as seven “salties,” i.e. ocean-going ships that arrive the Great Lakes through the St. Lawrence Seaway, have arrived carrying containerized goods, steel products, and general cargo including machinery. “We’ve worked diligently to improve our operations and increase the capacity across our docks in recent years,” said William D. Friedman, president of the Port of Cleveland. “It’s no coincidence that we’ve positioned ourselves as an emerging port of call for containerized cargoes from across the globe.”

Additionally, the Port of Toledo has been off to a good start in 2022. Through April, 78 vessels have already called upon the Port of Toledo and its tonnage is up nearly 11% over the same period in 2021. Grain, salt, coal and liquid bulk are all outpacing 2021 totals.

“While it is early in the season, there are signs that 2022 will be successful,” said Joseph Cappel, VP of Business Development for the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. “Grain and fertilizer are expected to be big movers in 2022 as trade patterns and pricing continue to fluctuate based on various global happenings. If our staple commodities like coal, iron ore and other dry bulk commodities remain consistent, we will have a strong year.”

The Port of Ashtabula, another Lake Erie port, has also been busy so far with inbound shipments of ilmenite sand from Senegal, ferrochrome from Finland, and two shipments of titanium slag from Canada and Norway, according to the GLSP.

Partnering with the craft brewer and food manufacturer Briess Malt, the Port of Manitowoc on Lake Michigan has utilized a new maritime supply chain route to import Danish Barley from Quebec. Previously, these shipments arrived from Thunder Bay but thanks to the new route, Manitowoc can receive barley from Quebec. This has enabled the Port of Manitowoc to increase its malt capacity and give Briess more options for importing the product, according to Paul Braun, the city planner for the City of Manitowoc.

Shipping on the Great Lakes kicked off March 22 with the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway. The Welland Canal, which connects Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, opened March 24, while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opened the Soo Locks in northern Michigan on March 25. The Soo Locks connect Lake Superior and Lake Huron.

In 2021, more than 28 million metric tons of cargo was shipped through the St. Lawrence Seaway from the opening of the waterway on March 22, 2021 through its closing October 31, 2021, an increase of 1.92% compared to the 2020 season. Total transits increased 1.33% to 2,976 vessels through October.

gCaptain

Thunder Bay business district prepares for cruise ship visitors

Businesses in Thunder Bay’s Waterfront District Business Improvement Area are preparing for summer and to receive visitors from cruise ships, the first of which will arrive on May 27.

With seven post stops in Thunder Bay for the 378-passenger Viking Octantus ship and another two port stops for the 210-passenger Ocean Navigator, Thunder Bay will see the most visitors in years. Guests will be welcomed from Tourism Thunder Bay with a staffed concierge tent shipside, from 5-8 p.m. on Fridays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, to help connect guests with attractions, culinary and transportation options.

“We are preparing our businesses so they can be all hands-on-deck when we have people docked here,” said Kara Pratt, co-ordinator of the waterfront district BIA.

“We want to get them pumped up for the new visitors of the city, which is exciting after all of the delays.” Pratt says there is much partnering involved between businesses, the BIA and the city. “It’s going to be a learning experience the whole summer I think, mainly with the first (cruise ship) in May, because everything’s kind of still fluid in terms of pandemic rules. I know our businesses are excited to show off what they can do, what they have in their shops and what the culinary scene will bring.”

From pasta and fresh fish cuisine to giftware and clothing, shoppers can expect the best of Thunder Bay’s home-grown products. Pratt says the BIA has been approved to open up the streets for the summer and a funding boost from the Tourism Development Fund has been provided by the Community Economic Development Commission to help with beautification of the area.

Read the rest of this article at this link: https://www.chroniclejournal.com/news/local/business-district-prepares-for-cruise-ship-visitors/article_f3f9c386-d586-11ec-9ecb-f71bc96c485a.html

The Chronicle Journal

Lighthouse, museum to open this summer

ESCANABA, MI — The Dr. John and Mary Jane Beaumier Museum and historic Sand Point Lighthouse are returning to their normal hours of operation this summer. Set to open on Memorial Day, members of the Delta County Historical Society, a local non-profit organization that works to preserve the history of Delta County, are ready to welcome back tourists and residents.

“We are all here because we like what we are doing and the lighthouse is real special,” Dr. Charles Lindquist, President of the Delta County Historical Society, said. “It is fun to have people come through and talk to them about the history of it, but it’s also fun to see how much they enjoy coming into the lighthouse.”

In Delta County two of the main tourist attractions are Fayette Historic State Park and the Sand Point Lighthouse, which attracts over 6,000 people from throughout the Midwest and Great Plains regions every summer. The demographic consists mostly of families with school-aged children who are looking for summer activities. “A lot of schools are open until the first week of June, so we really don’t see too much traffic until the second week of June,” Lindquist said. “After that, up they come in a steady parade for a couple of months until it slows down around mid-August.”

“People come to the lighthouse to learn. They want to learn the history of the lighthouse,” Lindquist said. “And maybe, hopefully, they want to learn why exactly the lighthouse is here in Escanaba.”

The Sand Point Lighthouse, located on the Delta County Historical Society grounds next to Ludington Park, was constructed in 1867. Fully operational a year later, the lighthouse worked as a navigational beacon to the abundance of ships traveling throughout Little Bay de Noc. “By 1865 the government realized there were going to be a lot of ships coming into the [Escanaba] port to pick up iron ore. Eventually there were five lighthouses in the area,” Lindquist said. “The main lighthouse was here in Escanaba. It coordinated and kept track of all the other lighthouses.”

These ships were transporting iron ore and lumber from Escanaba to large cities like Chicago, Detroit, and Cleveland via Lake Michigan. “Boats would come out of Lake Michigan and there were shoals and sandbars all throughout [Little Bay de Noc],” Lindquist said. “They would get around the Peninsula Point and look for the red light coming out of our lighthouse.”

While the rich history of the Sand Point Lighthouse makes it unique, the fact that tourists are able to enter and tour the space distinguishes it from other lighthouses as well. “A lot of people are lighthouse aficionados. They just love lighthouses,” Lindquist said. “Many lighthouses do not let you come in. But we let you go in the house part, and you can go up the stairs, see the lens, and get a view of the lake.”

When touring the Sand Point Lighthouse, visitors will also be able to view an exhibit room, which is restored to look and feel as if it were still in operation. The entire history of the lighthouse can be found directly in the lighthouse itself, along with the accompanying museum and archives building.

“The Great Lakes are a real attraction in this country. When people are coming from the southwest this would be one of the first places they would stop,” Lindquist said. “We try to make this place very friendly and informative. When people enjoy what you’re doing, it makes you enjoy it especially too.”

The lighthouse is currently undergoing a bit of construction. By drone footage last year, it was discovered that holes in the roof of the lantern room were the reason water was leaking onto the lighthouse’s stairs. The tower face is going through a bit of maintenance as well. After opening on May 30, the Delta County Historical Society plans to keep both the lighthouse and museum open until at least late August. The Historical Society hopes to return to its normal closing date of Labor Day, depending on foot traffic during the later part of the summer.

The museum and lighthouse will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., including holidays. Admission is $3 per person or $5 for a family, which is two or more people. Kids under 14 can enter for free with their families, while kids over 14 will be charged a dollar. Members of the Delta County Historical Society can enter for free.

“Our local history is important in terms of family and community values,” Lindquist said. “People are proud of their community and its history. It is a sense of pride.”

Daily Press

Help wanted: Lake Michigan Carferry

Lake Michigan Carferry is accepting applications for placement in the engine department aboard the historic S.S. Badger.  Candidates must possess a Merchant Mariner’s Credential with QMED (Fireman/Oiler/Watertender) endorsement, a current Medical Certificate and a valid TWIC card.  QMED will expect to live aboard and stand a 4 hour watch, twice a day, 7 days a week for the remainder of the 2022 sailing season (as soon as possible to Oct 16th, 2022) QMED wage is $28.91p/hr ($43.37 for OT hours).   Visit our web site at http://www.ssbadger.com > Join the Crew to fill out an online application or email lbialochowski@interlakems.com  for more information.

Time running out for Boatnerd freighter-chasing cruise early bird rate

After going on pandemic hiatus for the last two years, the Annual Boatnerd Soo Freighter Chasing Cruise is back in business!

•When: Friday – June 24, 6–9 pm, rain or shine

•Where: Soo Locks Boat Tours, Dock #2 (next to the Valley Camp)

•Limit: 100 passengers

•Food: Pizza and salad included with paid passage

•General Admission (US funds): Early Bird rate $30.00 each, $35.00 each from June 1-June 17

•Youth Admission (US funds): Early Bird rate $20.00 each, $25.00 each from June 1-June 17. Youth admission applies to those under 18.

This year’s St. Marys River cruise will be aboard a Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours boat on Friday, June 24. Boarding begins at 5:30 pm, and we cast off at 6pm. The cruise is three hours long. We plan to travel through the U.S. Locks, but that may change in order to chase freighters. (NOTE: At this time, we can approach the Canadian Locks, but not transit through them. We can also approach Algoma Steel, but we cannot enter the slip.)

Pizza and salad are included in paid passage. There will be a cash bar on board. You can bring your own food and beverages (no alcohol).

Reservations are a must, as the group is limited to 100 passengers. Reservations (both online and mail-in) must be received no later than Friday, June 17. Buy tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/2p86wujf

If the cruise is not sold out, Angie Williams will take CASH ONLY reservations through the end of the Boatnerd Picnic on Thursday, June 23, at the Procrastinator Price of $40.00 per General Admission ticket, and $30 per youth ticket.

Contact Angie at griffinclawangie@gmail.com or 734-386-0899 if you have questions or wish to reserve without using EventBrite,.

The Boatnerd  Picnic will be Thursday, June 23, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Sherman Park, just west of the locks. Bring a dish to pass. Burgers, hot dogs, buns and condiments will be provided by Boatnerd. Free.) Save the date and think early about your travel plans and lodging. The event will be held rain or shine, but lets hope for sunshine!

Events are in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers annual Engineer’s Day (Friday, June 24) open house at the Soo Locks, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Touring the USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul

DULUTH, MN – It’s one of the newest classes of naval ships for the United States, and for the first time it is here in Duluth for its commissioning.

The USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul is one of over two dozen littoral combat ships, designed to work close to shorelines. “Anything from 25 miles into shore,” says Commander Alfonza White.  “We have a shallow draft, and we’re design to exploit those areas around the world.  Now what that details is what our commanders and chief dictate.”

This ship can work close to shore thanks to its propulsion system.  Instead of using propellers and rudders, it uses water jets and buckets to move the same amount of water in an Olympic-size swimming pool every second.  It can reach speeds over 45 miles per hour, while having the ability to maneuver in directions quicker than many other naval ships.

“It is definitely cool to drive,” says Commander White.  “Think of a Corvette on a dragway.”

The ship has the fire power to engage if necessary, as well as the ability to store supplies and launch boats, helicopters, and land vehicles.  Commander White says all that will be dependent on what each mission needs, which is decided by commanders and chief above him.  “This ship is prepared up to this point as we are trained to be.  We are trained to sail the high seas, and we are prepared to do so.”

Its crew size is currently at 110 and will drop to 98 once in active duty.  That is about one-third the size of crew one sees in the next size ship. “Every sailor on board this ship carries their own weight plus some,” says Command Senior Chief Edward Pare.  “We can’t just have anybody on board riding not putting their full commitment every day.”

Chief Pare adds the challenges COVID has presented the past few years has not stopped the crew from working as one, comparing the mentality to a small Midwest town. “This crew has gelled and come together for many years, and it showed during our first transit, and we look for great things to come here in the future from probably the best I have ever served with.”

The Minneapolis-Saint Paul spent last week traveling the Great Lakes to reach Duluth on Monday.  Commander White says it was a joy to bring it through the Soo Locks and Lake Superior. As for what it was like to travel under the Lift Bridge? “Going under obstacles such as that with a ship the size of ours is always interesting.  You want to aim for center and you stay there.”

The commission ceremony will take place May 21 at 10 a.m.  Once it’s completed, the crew will be able to enjoy the best of the Twin Ports with their families before them and the ship head out to Florida.

Fox 21 News

New Cruise Ship Sailing Great Lakes to Dock at Chicago’s Navy Pier

A Florida-based cruise line sailing the Great Lakes will dock at Chicago’s iconic Navy Pier, becoming the only overnight cruise ship to do so.

The Ocean Navigator from American Queen Voyages holds up to 202 guests and travels between Chicago and Toronto, stopping at ports in various places like Mackinac Island, Detroit, Cleveland, Niagara Falls and more.

Guests who book the cruise will get a pre-cruise hotel night and can take optional tours of the city, including the popular Chicago River Architectural Tour.

“It’s beautiful!” said Captain Gary Kerr. “You know, some of the areas we go to… I woke the passengers up at 7 in the morning because we were going through Little Current – and no one was awake. We were out on Georgia Bay with the sun coming up.”

NBC Chicago

Meet Hans and Greta, the S.S. Badger’s new explosive detection K9s

LUDINGTON, MI – They’re sweet, friendly, a little bit “ball crazy” – and trained to detect explosives. Hans and Greta are the newest additions to the K9 program for the S.S. Badger car ferry.

The pups had their first workday last week when the ferry made its first trip of the year across Lake Michigan.

The dogs spent about two hours inspecting vehicles before they were loaded onto the ship in Ludington. As the coal-fired ferry made the four-hour crossing to Manitowoc, the dogs got a well-earned rest. Then it was back to checking vehicles for the return journey. That’s a typical day for the working K9s – and it can be quite strenuous for them, said Dean Schultz, who’s been a handler with the program since 2016.

While they are trained to work, Hans and Greta are still pups. They’re playful, silly, happy dogs that are a bit “ball crazy,” he said. When the dogs find something – like nail polish remover, which contains the explosive triacetone – in a vehicle, they get to chase a ball. It’s like a payday for them, Schultz said. If it’s a slow day and the dogs aren’t finding anything, the handlers will “place a hide” for them to find so they can “get paid,” he said.

Hans is a 1-year-old black brindle Dutch shepherd paired with handler Chuck Hockanson, a retired Michigan State Police trooper. Hans was born in Poland and sold to Mid Michigan Police K9 with the intent that he would be a dual-purpose patrol dog, but his bite work wasn’t up to the trainer’s standards, Schultz said. Instead, he was sold as a “green dog” to Lake Michigan Carferry, Inc, which owns the Badger.

Read the full article at this MLive link: https://www.mlive.com/news/2022/05/meet-hans-and-greta-the-ss-badgers-new-explosive-detection-k9s.html?utm_campaign=mlivedotcom_sf&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR0yjt523icbKBsq-hnWR31z7o0ibs0Ft8teL3p4T8cE-QR2vPuCJ_dU75Y

MLive

Help Wanted: Lake Michigan Carferry

Lake Michigan Carferry is accepting applications for placement in the engine department aboard the historic S.S. Badger.  Candidates must possess a Merchant Mariner’s Credential with QMED (Fireman/Oiler/Watertender) endorsement, a current Medical Certificate and a valid TWIC card.  QMED will expect to live aboard and stand a 4 hour watch, twice a day, 7 days a week for the remainder of the 2022 sailing season (as soon as possible to Oct 16th, 2022) QMED wage is $28.91p/hr ($43.37 for OT hours).   Visit our web site at http://www.ssbadger.com > Join the Crew to fill out an online application or email lbialochowski@interlakems.com  for more information.

Time running out for Boatnerd freighter-chasing cruise early bird rate

After going on pandemic hiatus for the last two years, the Annual Boatnerd Soo Freighter Chasing Cruise is back in business!

•When: Friday – June 24, 6–9 pm, rain or shine

•Where: Soo Locks Boat Tours, Dock #2 (next to the Valley Camp)

•Limit: 100 passengers

•Food: Pizza and salad included with paid passage

•General Admission (US funds): Early Bird rate $30.00 each, $35.00 each from June 1-June 17

•Youth Admission (US funds): Early Bird rate $20.00 each, $25.00 each from June 1-June 17. Youth admission applies to those under 18.

This year’s St. Marys River cruise will be aboard a Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours boat on Friday, June 24. Boarding begins at 5:30 pm, and we cast off at 6pm. The cruise is three hours long. We plan to travel through the U.S. Locks, but that may change in order to chase freighters. (NOTE: At this time, we can approach the Canadian Locks, but not transit through them. We can also approach Algoma Steel, but we cannot enter the slip.)

Pizza and salad are included in paid passage. There will be a cash bar on board. You can bring your own food and beverages (no alcohol).

Reservations are a must, as the group is limited to 100 passengers. Reservations (both online and mail-in) must be received no later than Friday, June 17. Buy tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/2p86wujf

If the cruise is not sold out, Angie Williams will take CASH ONLY reservations through the end of the Boatnerd Picnic on Thursday, June 23, at the Procrastinator Price of $40.00 per General Admission ticket, and $30 per youth ticket.

Contact Angie at griffinclawangie@gmail.com or 734-386-0899 if you have questions or wish to reserve without using EventBrite,.

The Boatnerd  Picnic will be Thursday, June 23, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Sherman Park, just west of the locks. Bring a dish to pass. Burgers, hot dogs, buns and condiments will be provided by Boatnerd. Free.) Save the date and think early about your travel plans and lodging. The event will be held rain or shine, but lets hope for sunshine!

Events are in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers annual Engineer’s Day (Friday, June 24) open house at the Soo Locks, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Another day, another passenger ship: Soo welcomes Ocean Voyager

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – The busy passenger ship season welcomed another new vessel, Ocean Voyager, on Wednesday. She was the third different cruise ship to visit the Soo in the last four days. After locking up in the morning, she returned downbound and moored at the Valley Camp dock, after which passengers boarded hop on-hop off buses that took them to various locations such as the Soo Locks. Ocean Voyager is the former Victory I.

Roger LeLievre

Watch a 740-foot freighter slide out of the Soo Locks up close

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI — If you want to feel small, stand a few feet from a 740-foot freighter as it slides past on its way out of a 1,200-foot shipping lock.

The Baie Comeau, a self-unloading bulk freighter owned by Canada Steamship Lines, passed through the Poe Lock in Sault Ste. Marie about 8:15 a.m. on Monday, May 16 while en route to Nanticoke, Ontario from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

The Baie Comeau, named for the city of Baie-Comeau in Quebec, locked through the Soo after a busy weekend at the shipping complex, which saw 21 vessels, including tour boats and survey boats as well as large cargo-carrying freighters, lock through the day prior.

To watch the video and read the rest of this article, click on this MLive link: https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2022/05/watch-a-740-foot-freighter-slide-out-of-the-soo-locks-up-close.html

MLive

Marblehead Lighthouse celebrating 200th year

MARBLEHEAD, OH —  For two centuries, Marblehead Lighthouse has been a towering mainstay along Lake Erie’s shoreline.

Since its construction in the early 19th century, the lighthouse has provided a steady beacon and landmark for sailors and served as a popular subject for photographers and painters.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is hosting a series of events this year to honor Marblehead Lighthouse’s bicentennial anniversary, beginning Saturday with “Legacy on the Lake: Celebrating 200 Years of the Marblehead Lighthouse.” Sarah Wickham, ODNR’s chief of communications, said the Legacy on the Lake celebration will be held from 12-4 p.m. at Marblehead Lighthouse State Park.

Wickham said there will be entertainment, food trucks, birthday cake, games, giveaways, ODNR naturalists with some of the area’s wild animal friends, a touch-a-truck, Smokey Bear, free lighthouse tours, and other activities.

She said the lighthouse continues to be a popular spot for visitors traveling to Ottawa County.

“Each year, more than 25,000 people climb to the top of the lighthouse, but we estimate more than 1 million visitors come to the park every year,” Wickham said. Wickham said Marblehead Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes, has guided sailors safely along the rocky shores of Marblehead Peninsula since 1822.

Read the full article at this link: https://www.thenews-messenger.com/story/news/2022/05/18/marblehead-lighthouse-celebrating-200th-year/9804099002/

Fremont News Messenger

Summer ship & shore days allow museum visitors to explore Great Lakes history on land and water

TOLEDO, OH – The National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) and The Sandpiper passenger tour boat are teaming up again this summer to offer the “Ultimate Great Lakes History Day.” One Saturday a month, a special ticket will be available combining full access to the National Museum of the Great Lakes and a trip along the Maumee River aboard The Sandpiper. 

“The Ship & Shore experience provides a way to explore Great Lakes history all day long,” says Kate Fineske, the museum’s spokesperson. “Guests receive full-day access to the National Museum of the Great Lakes including our museum’s world-class, family-friendly exhibits, a 617-foot iron ore freighter and a lake class tugboat—along with a mid-day trip aboard The Sandpiper departing and returning from the museum docks.”

While touring the Maumee River aboard The Sandpiper, visitors will have access to the award-winning Port of Toledo: Then and Now exhibit. This exhibit uses QR codes onboard the vessel to allow cruisers to interact with Great Lakes history along the Maumee River. The codes provide additional images and information about the rich history behind various spots along the river’s banks—giving visitors the opportunity to visually compare and contrast the old Maumee River with the new.

“Ship & Shore: The Ultimate Great Lakes History Day” is offered three Saturdays this summer—June 11, July 9 and August 13. Tickets must be purchased in advance at nmgl.org or by calling 419-214-5000. For additional information please visit nmgl.org/event.

View the gallery to read the full press release and see prices.

National Museum of the Great Lakes

Dredging contract awarded for Toledo Harbor, Maumee River

A contract for the dredging of the federal navigation channel in Toledo Harbor and the Maumee River was awarded this week to Michigan-based Ryba Marine Construction Co.

The announcement was made by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, which said the contract is valued at about $4.6 million.

Dredging of harbors like Toledo’s and rivers like the Maumee ensures accessible depths for large vessels, the continued flow of commodities across the Great Lakes, and the economic viability of U.S. waterways, the Army Corps said in its announcement.

The contract was awarded on Tuesday.

Toledo Blade

Help Wanted: Lake Michigan Carferry

Lake Michigan Carferry is accepting applications for placement in the engine department aboard the historic S.S. Badger.  Candidates must possess a Merchant Mariner’s Credential with QMED (Fireman/Oiler/Watertender) endorsement, a current Medical Certificate and a valid TWIC card.  QMED will expect to live aboard and stand a 4 hour watch, twice a day, 7 days a week for the remainder of the 2022 sailing season (as soon as possible to Oct 16th, 2022) QMED wage is $28.91p/hr ($43.37 for OT hours).   Visit our web site at http://www.ssbadger.com > Join the Crew to fill out an online application or email lbialochowski@interlakems.com  for more information.

Time running out for Boatnerd freighter-chasing cruise early bird rate

After going on pandemic hiatus for the last two years, the Annual Boatnerd Soo Freighter Chasing Cruise is back in business!

•When: Friday – June 24, 6–9 pm, rain or shine

•Where: Soo Locks Boat Tours, Dock #2 (next to the Valley Camp)

•Limit: 100 passengers

•Food: Pizza and salad included with paid passage

•General Admission (US funds): Early Bird rate $30.00 each, $35.00 each from June 1-June 17

•Youth Admission (US funds): Early Bird rate $20.00 each, $25.00 each from June 1-June 17. Youth admission applies to those under 18.

This year’s St. Marys River cruise will be aboard a Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours boat on Friday, June 24. Boarding begins at 5:30 pm, and we cast off at 6pm. The cruise is three hours long. We plan to travel through the U.S. Locks, but that may change in order to chase freighters. (NOTE: At this time, we can approach the Canadian Locks, but not transit through them. We can also approach Algoma Steel, but we cannot enter the slip.)

Pizza and salad are included in paid passage. There will be a cash bar on board. You can bring your own food and beverages (no alcohol).

Reservations are a must, as the group is limited to 100 passengers. Reservations (both online and mail-in) must be received no later than Friday, June 17. Buy tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/2p86wujf

If the cruise is not sold out, Angie Williams will take CASH ONLY reservations through the end of the Boatnerd Picnic on Thursday, June 23, at the Procrastinator Price of $40.00 per General Admission ticket, and $30 per youth ticket.

Contact Angie at griffinclawangie@gmail.com or 734-386-0899 if you have questions or wish to reserve without using EventBrite,.

The Boatnerd  Picnic will be Thursday, June 23, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Sherman Park, just west of the locks. Bring a dish to pass. Burgers, hot dogs, buns and condiments will be provided by Boatnerd. Free.) Save the date and think early about your travel plans and lodging. The event will be held rain or shine, but lets hope for sunshine!

Events are in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers annual Engineer’s Day (Friday, June 24) open house at the Soo Locks, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

US Great Lakes shipping reports mixed results; signs for optimism 

U.S. Great Lakes ports reported mixed results for the start of the spring shipping season, with gains and losses heavily tied to global trading conditions and Lake Superior ice-breaking resources. U.S. grain exports, steel imports, road salt and containerized goods were strong performers.

“Inadequate ice-breaking resources in Lake Superior had a major impact on cargo shipments out of the port of Duluth-Superior, which underlines how much we need new and improved capacity for the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaking fleet,” says Bruce Burrows, President and CEO of the Chamber of Marine Commerce. “On a more positive note, grain exports from U.S. ports were in strong demand along with shipments of salt, steel and containers. We expect that the demand for different cargo segments will continue to be impacted by fluctuating prices and trade flows related to global supply chain issues and the Russia/Ukraine conflict.”

Overall cargo shipments (from March 22 to April 30) via the St. Lawrence Seaway totaled 3.5 million metric tons, down by 18 percent compared to the same period in 2021. Iron ore volumes were down 23 per cent. Year-to-date U.S. grain shipments via the Seaway totaled 176,000 metric tons, up 175 percent compared to 2021. Road salt shipments were also up 21 percent, as Canadian mines delivered to cities throughout the bi-national region.

The Port of Toledo was off to a good start in 2022. Through April, 78 vessels have already called upon the Port and tonnage is up nearly 11 percent over the same period in 2021. Grain, salt, coal and liquid bulk are all outpacing 2021 totals. “While it is early in the season, there are signs that 2022 will be successful,” said Joseph Cappel, VP of Business Development for the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. “Grain and fertilizer are expected to be big movers in 2022 as trade patterns and pricing continue to fluctuate based on various global happenings. If our staple commodities like coal, iron ore and other dry bulk commodities remain consistent, we will have a strong year.”

The Port of Cleveland has experienced a very strong start to the 2022 season in its general cargo operation. April tonnage more than doubled its total tonnage from April 2021. “Our container numbers have also increased dramatically due to the addition of Doornekamp’s Peyton Lynn C to the Spliethoff service last September,” said David Gutheil, Chief Commercial Officer at the Port of Cleveland. “Export customers are now jumping on board due to shortages of containers and vessel space at coastal ports. We are very close to completing the first phase of a very large infrastructure project which will improve the efficiency of the movement of general cargo throughout the Port. This project will be completed in its entirety late first quarter of 2023.”

Hampered by Great Lakes icebreaking challenges and a slower-than-normal start for the American lake freighter fleet, total tonnage through the Port of Duluth-Superior reached only 2.43 million short tons in April 2022. Combined with an icy March in which only three ships called on the port, overall tonnage through April 30 trailed last year’s pace and the five-season average by 38 percent and 27 percent, respectively.

Iron ore, the port’s top cargo by tonnage, neared 1.6 million short tons through April. This represented a 42 percent dip from the 2021 pace and a 34 percent drop compared to the five-season average. Each of the port’s major cargo categories finished April behind the 2021 pace with the exception of grain and salt. Outbound grain shipments comprised of wheat and beet pulp pellets totaled 148,620 short tons through April, nearly doubling the 2021 pace and exceeding the five-season average by 24 percent. Almost two-thirds of the Duluth-Superior grain float sailed through the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System as export commerce.

Inbound salt deliveries to Duluth-Superior topped 81,000 short tons in April, more than doubling the April 2021 total and the five-season average.

“Winter lingered a bit too long this year, which made March and most of April a tough slog for Coast Guard icebreakers and the freighters that depend on them for support to power through those conditions,” said Deb DeLuca, executive director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority. “We started to see an uptick in vessel traffic later in the month, as the ice situation improved, but it’s still hard to predict the tenor of 2022. Unusual factors continue to affect the world of cargo transportation, including ongoing global supply chain delays and the situation in Ukraine. That instability keeps everyone guessing, but there’s still reason for optimism that it’ll be a good season in the Port of Duluth-Superior.”

AJOT 

Soo welcomes another passenger ship, Ocean Explorer

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – The busy passenger ship season welcomed another new vessel, Ocean Explorer, on Tuesday. She moored at the Valley Camp dock, after which passengers boarded hop on-hop off buses that took them to various locations such as the Soo Locks. They departed just after 6 p.m. for Mackinac Island. The 432-foot-long vessel, built in 2021, is operated by Vantage Deluxe World Travel, Boston, MA.

Roger LeLievre

Help Wanted: Lake Michigan Carferry

Lake Michigan Carferry is accepting applications for placement in the engine department aboard the historic S.S. Badger.  Candidates must possess a Merchant Mariner’s Credential with QMED (Fireman/Oiler/Watertender) endorsement, a current Medical Certificate and a valid TWIC card.  QMED will expect to live aboard and stand a 4 hour watch, twice a day, 7 days a week for the remainder of the 2022 sailing season (as soon as possible to Oct 16th, 2022) QMED wage is $28.91p/hr ($43.37 for OT hours).   Visit our web site at http://www.ssbadger.com > Join the Crew to fill out an online application or email lbialochowski@interlakems.com  for more information.

Time running out for Boatnerd freighter-chasing cruise early bird rate

After going on pandemic hiatus for the last two years, the Annual Boatnerd Soo Freighter Chasing Cruise is back in business!

•When: Friday – June 24, 6–9 pm, rain or shine

•Where: Soo Locks Boat Tours, Dock #2 (next to the Valley Camp)

•Limit: 100 passengers

•Food: Pizza and salad included with paid passage

•General Admission (US funds): Early Bird rate $30.00 each, $35.00 each from June 1-June 17

•Youth Admission (US funds): Early Bird rate $20.00 each, $25.00 each from June 1-June 17. Youth admission applies to those under 18.

This year’s St. Marys River cruise will be aboard a Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours boat on Friday, June 24. Boarding begins at 5:30 pm, and we cast off at 6pm. The cruise is three hours long. We plan to travel through the U.S. Locks, but that may change in order to chase freighters. (NOTE: At this time, we can approach the Canadian Locks, but not transit through them. We can also approach Algoma Steel, but we cannot enter the slip.)

Pizza and salad are included in paid passage. There will be a cash bar on board. You can bring your own food and beverages (no alcohol).

Reservations are a must, as the group is limited to 100 passengers. Reservations (both online and mail-in) must be received no later than Friday, June 17. Buy tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/2p86wujf

If the cruise is not sold out, Angie Williams will take CASH ONLY reservations through the end of the Boatnerd Picnic on Thursday, June 23, at the Procrastinator Price of $40.00 per General Admission ticket, and $30 per youth ticket.

Contact Angie at griffinclawangie@gmail.com or 734-386-0899 if you have questions or wish to reserve without using EventBrite,.

The Boatnerd  Picnic will be Thursday, June 23, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Sherman Park, just west of the locks. Bring a dish to pass. Burgers, hot dogs, buns and condiments will be provided by Boatnerd. Free.) Save the date and think early about your travel plans and lodging. The event will be held rain or shine, but lets hope for sunshine!

Events are in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers annual Engineer’s Day (Friday, June 24) open house at the Soo Locks, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul arrives in Duluth

DULUTH, MN – A naval ship to be commissioned by the U.S. Navy arrived in the port Monday morning.

The USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul is scheduled for commissioning at 10 a.m. Saturday before it is moved to its homeport of Naval Station Mayport, Florida, where it will have a crew of 140 sailors, the News Tribune first reported in 2020.

Built by Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wisconsin, the Freedom-class littoral combat ship was launched and christened June 15, 2019. Littoral combat ships are “a fast, agile, mission-focused platform designed to operate in near-shore environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats,” according to a press release from the Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

The USS Minneapolis St. Paul was expected to become the first anti-submarine warfare littoral combat ship in the U.S. naval fleet. It is designed for speed and shallow-water, near-shore combat. The Navy League described anti-submarine warfare as a “branch of underwater warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines.”

Duluth News Tribune

Icebreaker shortage freezes up supply chain on Great Lakes

CLEVELAND, OH – The ice season is over on the Great Lakes, but the impacts of insufficient Coast Guard icebreaking linger.

During this year’s ice season, the U.S.-flag Great Lakes shipping industry lost the equivalent of a month due to delays in ice-covered waters. More than 1.6 million tons of cargo carrying capacity was delayed for 28 days due to ice conditions on Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan and in Green Bay. A lack of Coast Guard icebreakers hampered efforts to meet the needs of commerce.

“It amazes me that a cargo container stuck in Chesapeake Bay or in the Suez Canal gets worldwide attention, and that happens on the Great Lakes every year. The loss of one day of shipping is tremendous, but a month is devastating. Imagine if highways in the northern states didn’t have enough snowplows to keep traffic moving during frequent winter storms and sat on the road for a month. It is unacceptable,” stated Jim Weakley, president of the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), ice conditions this past winter were “average” to “slightly below average” during the bulk of the icebreaking period. Several ships, including some Canadian-flag lakers, faced perilous journeys through ice-infested waters that nearly forced a vessel aground in the Straits of Mackinac and shut down waterways.

At one point, several vessels were stuck in eastern Lake Superior for more than three days. With an aging fleet of six 40-year-old small icebreaking tugs and only one heavy icebreaker, the U.S. Coast Guard couldn’t keep up. Multiple vessels were shoved near the edge of the navigational channels as ice floes over a foot thick shifted, which lasted up until mid-April. At the beginning of the ice season, the U.S. Coast Guard lost five icebreakers to engineering casualties, just when they were needed most.

“The Coast Guard needs more icebreakers on the Fourth Sea Coast. We have 237,000 jobs depending on a reliable Great Lakes Navigation System. In addition, our sailors deserve to feel safe navigating our waterways regardless of the time of year,” said John Baker, International Longshoremen’s Association and Vice President of the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force.

While progress fixing the icebreaking issue has been slow, it is moving forward thanks to key Great Lakes senators and Congressional representatives. Over the past year, both the current commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard and the nominee to replace him testified before the Senate Commerce Committee, acknowledging the need for another heavy Great Lakes icebreaker.

In addition, the Great Lakes Winter Commerce Act has passed the House as part of the Coast Guard Authorization Bill, which authorizes full funding for the new icebreaker, mandates transparent and accurate performance measures, and commissions a study by the Government Accountability Office to examine the impacts and needs for additional U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers on the Great Lakes.

Transport Topics

Two North Shore communities have ambition to revive a Lake Superior port

The Town of Marathon and Biigtigong Nishnaabeg (formerly Pic River) are looking to revive the port facilities at the site of the former Marathon Pulp mill.

The two neighbouring communities have signed a memorandum of understanding to create a port authority and establish the only commercial port on the north shore of Lake Superior, between Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay. Besides being blessed with a natural harbour, what remains from the pulp mill days is a 500-foot (152 metres) wharf with 11 steel bollards in place for ship tie-up.

“From what we’ve been looking at and from the preliminary discussions with the engineers, it’s ship-ready,” said Marathon Mayor Rick Dumas. “We could pull in ships today.”

The port initiative and repurposing the brownfield site has figured prominently in the municipality’s economic development plans since the closure of Marathon Pulp in 2009. Discussions began picking up steam in the last two years with the arrival in town of Generation Mining. The Toronto mining company has plans to develop an open-pit palladium and copper mine 10 kilometres north of the town centre. Commercial production at the proposed mine will tentatively begin in late 2023 and early 2024.

The dock is attached to 93 acres of developable land, where the mill once stood, near the middle of town. The current draft at the dock is 25 feet (7.6 metres), deepening to 30 feet (9 metres) further out in Peninsula Harbour.

The property is five kilometres off the Trans-Canada Highway and a CP rail spur runs onto the site, ending 500 metres from the dock. The site, zoned heavy industrial, has municipal water, sewer and fibre-optic connections, and a five-megawatt substation. In terms of inbound marine cargoes, Dumas said they would be looking to attract bulk freight that area communities and industry always need, such as road salt, aggregates and fuel oil.

“We’re looking at things we use every day.”

Read the full article at this link: https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/industry-news/transportation/two-north-shore-communities-have-ambition-to-revive-a-lake-superior-port-5285635

Northern Ontario Business

Time running out for Boatnerd freighter-chasing cruise early bird rate

After going on pandemic hiatus for the last two years, the Annual Boatnerd Soo Freighter Chasing Cruise is back in business!

•When: Friday – June 24, 6–9 pm, rain or shine

•Where: Soo Locks Boat Tours, Dock #2 (next to the Valley Camp)

•Limit: 100 passengers

•Food: Pizza and salad included with paid passage

•General Admission (US funds): Early Bird rate $30.00 each, $35.00 each from June 1-June 17

•Youth Admission (US funds): Early Bird rate $20.00 each, $25.00 each from June 1-June 17. Youth admission applies to those under 18.

This year’s St. Marys River cruise will be aboard a Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours boat on Friday, June 24. Boarding begins at 5:30 pm, and we cast off at 6pm. The cruise is three hours long. We plan to travel through the U.S. Locks, but that may change in order to chase freighters. (NOTE: At this time, we can approach the Canadian Locks, but not transit through them. We can also approach Algoma Steel, but we cannot enter the slip.)

Pizza and salad are included in paid passage. There will be a cash bar on board. You can bring your own food and beverages (no alcohol).

Reservations are a must, as the group is limited to 100 passengers. Reservations (both online and mail-in) must be received no later than Friday, June 17. Buy tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/2p86wujf

If the cruise is not sold out, Angie Williams will take CASH ONLY reservations through the end of the Boatnerd Picnic on Thursday, June 23, at the Procrastinator Price of $40.00 per General Admission ticket, and $30 per youth ticket.

Contact Angie at griffinclawangie@gmail.com or 734-386-0899 if you have questions or wish to reserve without using EventBrite,.

The Boatnerd  Picnic will be Thursday, June 23, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Sherman Park, just west of the locks. Bring a dish to pass. Burgers, hot dogs, buns and condiments will be provided by Boatnerd. Free.) Save the date and think early about your travel plans and lodging. The event will be held rain or shine, but lets hope for sunshine!

Events are in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers annual Engineer’s Day (Friday, June 24) open house at the Soo Locks, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.