CLEVELAND – Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes increased 4.5 percent from June of last year to 5.1 million tons.  Shipments were a near match to the month’s 5-year average. Year-to-date, the iron ore trade stands at 17.3 million tons, an increase of 4.2 percent compared to 2025.  Iron shipments are below their 5-year average by 4.6 percent for the first six months of the year.

Since 1880, Lake Carriers’ has represented the U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet, which today can move more than 90 million tons of cargos annually that are the foundation of American industry, infrastructure, and power: iron ore, stone, coal, cement, and other dry bulk materials such as grain, salt, and sand.  More information is available here.

BUFFALO, NY – People and pets aren’t the only ones feeling the impact of this hot weather this week. Even bridges are struggling. A video posted Wednesday by Fire Buff New York showed the Edward M. Cotter fire boat along the Niagara River. It was called in to help cool off the Michigan Street Bridge. It was so hot that the metal was expanding, making it unable to lift properly

“Due to the extreme heat, there was an issue with the metal expanding which caused the bridge to stick. The Edward Cotter was spraying water on the bridge to cool it down,” a City of Buffalo spokesperson said.

Edward M. Cotter cooling off Buffalo bridge. [Fire Buff]

CLEVELAND – The Coast Guard announced Wednesday that unanticipated maintenance needs to its buoy-tending fleet has impacted availability of a portion of lighted seasonal buoys within the Great Lakes region. Coast Guard Great Lakes District has prioritized the establishment of aids to navigation in waterways that support the flow of commerce and key commercial shipping channels. The deployment of more remote, offshore buoys has been delayed. While these operational challenges do not impact the smaller buoys routinely used by recreational boaters, several of the larger approach buoys relied upon by mariners have yet to be deployed.

The public is urged to use the relevant Local Notice to Mariners at https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/msi for the most up-to-date information and to ensure safety and situational awareness on the water.

Crew of USCG Buckthorn working a St. Marys River buoy in May 2024. [Roger LeLievre]

The Coast Guard reviews these notifications weekly to ensure information is current and accurate. Additional seasonal buoys will continue to be deployed as operational capabilities allow.

USCG

CLEVELAND, OH – U.S. shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes increased 4.5 percent from June 2025 to 3 million tons. This June’s U.S. loadings were also above the month’s 5-year average by 6.9 percent. Year-to-date, the Lakes U.S. limestone trade stands at nearly 7 million tons, a decrease of 7.5 percent compared to last year and 7.2 percent below the month’s 5-year average.

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – In a lighthearted ceremony June 25 at the annual Boatnerd Picnic in Sault Ste. Marie the event was renamed the Lee and Bill Rowe Annual Boatnerd Picnic, honoring the event’s founder and her husband. Lee Rowe, from Gwinn, MI, started the picnic, then held at Mission Point in the Soo, in 1998. It was eventually moved to the Sherman Park pavilion in the Soo which provides shelter in case of bad weather and has ample parking.

Lee and Bill Rowe with their special proclamation.

The Rowes were presented with a framed proclamation signed by many of the long-time attendees and read by Boatnerd board members Roger LeLievre and Sam Hankinson.

“Thank you for starting this years ago. It’s an honor for Boatnerd to keep the traditional alive,” said Nathan Leindedker, vice president of the Boatnerd board of directors.

The text of the proclamation follows:
WHEREAS Boatnerd has held an annual picnic in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, since 1998 …
And WHEREAS honorary Admiral Lee Rowe and her devoted husband Bill have been the driving force and inspirational leaders behind the picnic for all those years …
And WHEREAS Lee and Bill have made sure that people who love boats have other people to love them with …
And WHEREAS they have turned a picnic into a family reunion for people who didn’t know they were family …
And WHEREAS they have a knack for bringing people together, and once they are together, listening to everyone’s stories …
And WHEREAS their friendship and inspiration have been an example to us all …
THEREFORE, we as grateful members of the Boatnerd community do hereby rechristen the event today and in perpetuity the Lee and Bill Rowe Annual Boatnerd Picnic effective this day, June 25, 2026.

“It’s safe to say Engineer’s Day and Boatnerding as a hobby wouldn’t be what it is today without Lee,” said picnic regular Jeff Gushman, who travels each year from Port Huron, MI. “We all owe you so much,” added Steve Dearth of Cincinnati, OH. “If I didn’t see a single boat, it would still be the best time, ever, being with you and the rest of the crew.”

The saltie Onego Otra has been aground off Contrecœur, QC, on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, since Tuesday afternoon due to a rudder problem. It was en route from Montreal to New Orleans when the incident occurred. The vessel has transited the St. Lawrence Seaway two or three times since 2024.

Onego Otra aground. [Rene Beauchamp]

MARQUETTE, MI – Northern Michigan University alumnus Steve Hughes first became aware of the maritime industry as a curious, casual observer growing up in Marquette, where freighter traffic is firmly entrenched in local history and identity. His 97-year-old dad, John, a former NMU geography professor, used to take him to watch ships navigate to the imposing docks to be loaded with iron ore pellets that fuel the steelmaking process. Hughes could not have imagined then that he would embark on a three-decade career in the industry, rising to the rank of captain. He will retire in December from a rare perch as pilot of the longest vessel operating on the Great Lakes: the M/V Paul R. Tregurtha.

Capt. Hughes relaxing in the captain’s chair. [Interlake]

“I previously captained both the James R. Barker and the Mesabi Miner in a relief capacity. The length difference between this ship and those isn’t detectable from the pilot house, and it doesn’t influence how we operate, but the recognition associated with the Paul R. Tregurtha carries weight among mariners and enthusiasts alike. Because senior captains are typically assigned to the longer vessels, when you get to command one of them, it’s considered the pinnacle of the profession. My mentor, Capt. Tim Dayton, who commanded the ship until his retirement in 2014, prepared me to follow in his footsteps, which was pretty special.”

During a June afternoon interview for this piece, Hughes and his crew were traversing a flat stretch of eastern Lake Superior shrouded in a thick veil of fog. He said mariners call this period “summer sailing,” when the weather is consistently calmer and less of a concern. When a vessel is underway in open water—as on this day—the captain is often off watch, resting or reading, while a mate runs operations on the bridge.

“Last night, I was up virtually all night in the St. Mary’s River,” he said. “We arrived there at about 1:20 a.m. In northern Lake Michigan, there’s Gray’s Reef Passage, which is a narrow spot, and then the Mackinac Bridge to cruise under, and then you go past Mackinac Island, another sort of confined water spot. I took a quick nap between Mackinac Island and the St. Marys River, but didn’t get out until 9 a.m. But it takes 24 hours to get across Lake Superior, so there’s plenty of opportunity to catch up on sleep.”

Hughes elaborated on the dual role of a freighter captain, which blends both skillful hands-on navigation through more challenging environments and effectively managing people who are together 24/7 in relatively close quarters.

“In terms of ship handling, captains do all of the driving at the locks, into harbors and position them alongside the docks,” he explained. “It’s just me and the wheelsman in the pilot house when we’re doing that and the wheelsman is following my directions. Every one of us has had heart-in-the-throat moments, when you’re dealing with weather or environmental conditions that make it difficult. When you manage to rise above that challenge and pull off something that isn’t easy, it can be very rewarding.

“As for leading the crew, I do what I can to promote a family-type atmosphere. I emphasize that we’re living and working together, and all striving toward the same goal. There are definite rewards in that, and when it works out, it’s very good.”

Technical skills serve as a major component and used to be valued far more than interpersonal skills, Hughes said. But he added that there has been a growing emphasis on the ability to manage the crew in recent years.

Hughes did not venture down the path to the captain’s chair until after college. He completed a bachelor’s degree in economics from Northern while working as a student photographer in what was then the NMU News Bureau. He earned a graduate degree in the same discipline at Michigan State University.

After working briefly at a research institute, where his position and others were eliminated by budget cuts, Hughes viewed the unfortunate development as a timely opportunity to shift directions. He charted a new career course based on his lifelong familiarity with the Great Lakes.

“I’ve loved being on the water my entire life. My dad got us into sailing at a very early age, and we watched the ships come into Marquette. I finally reached a point where I thought, how can I make money doing what I enjoy? I figured becoming a mariner was the best avenue for that.”

Hughes began attending Great Lakes Maritime Academy in 1997 and gained extensive experience as a cadet with Interlake Steamship Company during the three-year program. He was hired full time by the Ohio-based company immediately afterward.

In his first 13 years as a mate, Hughes handled much of the day-to-day navigation and cargo loading/unloading work under a rotating watch schedule. He was also treated to “incredible” Aurora displays and unique phenomena such as water spouts. After relieving captains occasionally, he took advantage of an opportunity to move up to that level permanently.

“I definitely made the right choice in transitioning from economics to the maritime industry, and Interlake has been a great company to work for,” he said. “One of the really nice things is the autonomy we have out on the lakes. The shore-based management is pretty hands off. As long as we’re doing what we’re supposed to do, they don’t micromanage at all. They let us do our thing, and I respect and appreciate that.”

Hughes treasures a past photo taken of him and his wife, Jeanine, with company executive Paul Tregurtha and his wife, Lee, whose names grace two active freighters. Hughes was captain of both vessels, so he requested a photo with their namesakes during a social hour at an Interlake winter meeting.

When asked about the employment outlook in the maritime shipping industry, given concerns about AI’s impact on other occupations, Hughes said every graduate of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy should be able to secure a job because of demand. He added that there have been technological improvements over the course of his career in radar and electronic charting, “but we still do things pretty much the old-fashioned way. There’s no AI getting involved in driving the boat; it’s all done by human beings.”

After three decades in the field—or, more appropriately, on the water—Hughes will step away from the pilot house for the last time in December. Retirement comes with mixed feelings, he admits, but also plenty of gratitude for being able to turn his childhood curiosity about lake freighters passing through Marquette into a fulfilling, lifelong career aboard them.

Northern Today

CLEVELAND, OHIO – CEO Joe Starck’s career at Great Lakes Towing has spanned 35 years, beginning in engineering and project management before advancing to CEO. Throughout his tenure, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the modern face of the 126-year-old company and solidifying its position as the leading provider of ship assist services on the U.S. Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway. Gregg Thauvette, President of Towing, and Tom Rigolo, President of Great Lakes Shipyard, will continue to oversee their respective business lines, reporting to Great Lakes Towing’s board of maritime industry veterans, as will CFO Ken Kure.

“It has been an honor to lead Great Lakes Towing and the hard-working teams on shore and on the water,” said Mr. Starck. “I’m incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together and our unwavering commitment to operational excellence and safety, which are at the core of our business. Over the years, we have focused on maintaining and strengthening GLT’s role as the clear leader in the Great Lakes, with a dominant market position and a reputation for professionalism, performance, and reliability.”

Great Lakes Towing

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – Engineers Day at the Soo Locks started off last Friday morning with a historic christening of two new U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) vessels inside the MacArthur Lock. The tugboats H.J. Lawson and R.J. Pearce are the latest additions to their Great Lakes fleet.

Christening of one of two new Army Corps tug last Friday. [Jim Lehocky]

Ronald Johnston Pearce dedicated his life and career to the St. Marys River and the Sault Ste. Marie maritime community. His connection to the area began in 1942 at just 13 years old, serving as a Civil Defense messenger delivering mail to the 15,000 troops stationed at the Soo Locks. Pearce had an extensive career thereafter with the USACE retiring in 2009 after serving for 35 years. Pearce passed away just before his 92nd birthday.

Harold J. Lawson was a lifelong resident of Sault Ste. Marie, who dedicated his 30-year career to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the development of the region’s vital waterways. After graduating from Michigan Technological University in 1955 with a degree in civil engineering, Lawson served in the U.S. Army at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and continued his service in the Army Reserves for eight years. Lawson, too, served proudly in the USACE for three decades. He passed away in 2018.

Members of both families were in attendance.

“I think it is a real tribute to Harold and for the years he worked for the Corps. Oh, we thought it was real great. It’s got the latest electronics and everything in it so it’s a real beautiful tug,” said brother Wilmer Lawson.

“Two amazing gentlemen that really shaped the Corps of Engineers but really more importantly right here in the Soo and the Eastern Upper Peninsula area, the gentlemen worked on Poe Lock construction, new vessel builds and you know what we really see today as a responsibility to the Corps of Engineers,” said Justin Proulx, chief of St. Marys River Section USACE.

Soo Leader

Robert F. Baxter (“Bob”), age 91, of Highland, IN, passed away peacefully on June 25th, 2026. Bob was born in Nauvoo, IL, to Richard “Dick” and Eula (Wilkens) Baxter. Preceded in death by an infant son, brothers Tom and Dan and twin sisters, Mary and Martha.

Soon after his formative years, Bob began working on the barges for Mobil Oil on the Mississippi River. Wanting to make a better life for his growing family, he moved his family and began working for Inland Steel traveling the Great Lakes hauling iron ore, steel, rock, and more. With Vera’s help, Bob studied to become the youngest to earn licenses in steam and diesel engines with unlimited power to move up the ranks to eventually become a Merchant Marine Chief Engineer. Since he was licensed to work on all engines, he would eventually sail on every ship in Inland Steel’s fleet and was sailing on the Joseph L. Block at retirement.

To document his experiences on the Great Lakes, Bob authored the book “Hey You!,” which is still being offered on Amazon. Bob has entertained many audiences with live recantations of his experiences, including searching for survivors when the Edmund Fitzgerald sank on November 10, 1975.

Beyond his career, Bob became interested in the world of antique clocks and pocket watches. This led him to establish the first NWCA (National Watch and Clock Association) Peace Pipe Chapter 83, which is still active today.

When Erie Lackawanna abandoned the railroad property through Highland, Bob developed an incredible idea to transform this property into a hiking/biking trail geared toward wellness and community use. Thus, he sought the donation of the land from the railroad, coordinated dozens of volunteers to manufacture and set a bridge over Cady Ditch comprised of steel donated by local manufacturers, making this concept a reality. Adjacent towns and cities eventually connected to this expanse, making this nearly county-wide bike trail still used today by hundreds of bicycling and jogging enthusiasts.

He was instrumental in the formation of the Nauvoo Historical Society, donating many Icarian artifacts for visitors to admire and learn about his ancestry. The Baxter Winery (Nauvoo, Illinois), originally owned by his ancestors, is still operating today by family and is the oldest active winery operating in the state of Illinois.