The US Navy commissioned the last of its 35 littoral combat ships, the Manitowoc, WI-built USS Cleveland, earlier this month at a pier in its namesake Ohio city. “Steel. Strength. Power,” acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao posted on social media to mark the occasion.

Critics of the littoral combat ship (LCS) program had some other descriptions. “Easy meat,” said one. “An experiment that didn’t work,” said another.

USS Cleveland heads for its namesake port for commissioning recently. [US Navy]

“One of the worst boondoggles in the military’s long history of buying overpriced and underperforming weapons systems,” the ProPublica report said.

The LCS are at what the Navy calls the “low-end” of its surface ship fleet. They’re smaller than its guided-missile destroyers, carry fewer crew, and have less firepower and defenses, but they’re faster and able to operate in more shallow waters.

But after the ships have been plagued by a range of mechanical failures and mishaps since the first one was commissioned in 2008, they’ve earned a derisive interpretation of the LCS acronym, “little crappy ships.”

After the Cleveland entered the fleet last weekend on the shores of Lake Erie, the big question became – what now for the LCS?

Read the full story here: https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/27/us/us-navy-last-littoral-combat-ship-hnk-intl-ml

Algoma Steel’s No. 6 blast furnace was commissioned in 1953. The company quietly keeps it as a backup. [Soo Today File Photo]

Speaking to investors during a conference call last week, Rajat Marwah, Algoma’s chief executive officer, mentioned the possible reactivation of a 73-year-old blast furnace. The company’s No. 6 blast furnace was commissioned in 1953, replacing the aging No. 3 and 4 furnaces. It was superceded in 1975 by No. 7 furnace, which at the time was the largest blast furnace in the British Commonwealth. No. 6 has been left in place for use in case backup was ever needed. Idle for more than a decade around the turn of the millennium, the smaller furnace was briefly restarted in 2008 after a $40-million rebuild. The plan in 2008 was to expand Algoma’s capacity to four million saleable tons, but it was idled once again as an economic downturn affected demand for steel. There was also talk of firing up No. 6 in 2014.

 During this week’s presentation to investors, Marwah mentioned No. 6 blast furnace as part of a contingency plan if Algoma has trouble finding enough material to feed its EAFs. In addition to scrap metal, ore-based metallics including direct reduced iron (DRI), hot briquetted iron (HBI) and pig iron may also be fed into EAFs. These materials are valued for their ability to shape the chemical specification of steel at low cost.

Read more here: 

Golden Banyan of Seacon Marine at the Shell dock in Sarnia Monday. [Jeff Vandenberg]

Polsetam Weltlyn in Gdansk, Poland on April 1. [Polsteam]

Another new vessel belonging to the Polish shipping company Polsteam will transit the St. Lawrence Seaway, arriving in approximately eight days. This is the Polsteam Weltyn, built last

BBC Genoa arriving at Erie, PA. [Amy Dagget]

Currently at Erie, PA, after a stopover in Montreal from Tuticorin, India, is the BBC Genoa. Built in 2024, this is its first transit of the St. Lawrence Seaway. She is carrying a cargo of windmill parts.

Golden Banyan of Seacon Marine was at the Shell middle dock in Sarnia on Sunday loading petroleum products. She sails under the flag of Liberia.

Rene Beauchamp, Jeff Vandenberg, Janey Anderson

Chequamegon Point Light Tower in summer of 2025. [NPS]

“Protecting public safety and preserving the integrity of our maritime heritage are core responsibilities,” said Superintendent BriAnna Weldon. “Unfortunately, the Chequamegon Point Light Tower has reached a point where in-place preservation is no longer feasible. Deconstruction is the safest and most responsible path forward.”

Erected in 1897, the Chequamegon Point Light Tower was part of a network of navigational aids along the southern shore of Lake Superior. Part of the historic Long Island Light Station complex, the tower marked the entrance to Chequamegon Bay. In 1987 the tower was moved 100 feet east to its current location due to shoreline change. Over time, many of its character- defining features were removed. Only the exposed steel lattice frame and lantern room remain today.

The National Park Service, in consultation with the Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), evaluated the tower under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. While not individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the tower is a contributing feature to the Long Island Light Station historic district.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore News Release

Appledore IV. [Dennis Evans Photography]

The environmental education organization announced Thursday, May 21, that Appledore IV is under contract to be sold after serving more than two decades as a floating classroom for thousands of students and community members.

The board cited dramatic shifts in societal behavior, corporate giving priorities, donor requirements and grant availability that no longer align with BaySail’s original operational model, according to a BaySail news release. These changes have made it increasingly difficult to sustain a multi-vessel fleet and maintain programming at historical levels.

“This is a difficult but necessary moment for BaySail,” Greg Velez, the organization’s board chair, said in a statement. “The decision to sell Appledore IV and pause operations for the 2026 season reflects both the realities of today’s nonprofit landscape and our commitment to responsible stewardship.”

Velez said the board’s priority is ensuring any path forward is sustainable, mission-aligned and serves the community’s best interest. The organization plans to share updates as decisions are made.

BaySail thanked donors, volunteers, crew members, educators and community partners who have supported Appledore IV, Appledore V and the organization’s environmental education mission over the years.

M Live

ROGERS CITY, MI – The Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum would like to extend its deepest condolences to the family of Peter Hahn.

Peter Hahn. [Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum]

On May 7, 1965 while passing through the Straits of Mackinac in Lake Huron, the merchant ship Weissenburg intercepted an SOS emergency call from the Cedarville which began to sink after a collision in dense fog. The Weissenburg set course for the damaged ship. Peter and his crew mates launched its lifeboats in search of survivors. In the course of 30 minutes, sailors were found and brought safely on board of the rescue ship.

Peter, a native of Hamburg Germany, passed away on April 15, 2026. Peter is survived by his wife Irma and two daughters.

Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum

Weissenburg. [Post Card from Jim Hoffman Coll.]

MUSKEGON, MI – The USS LST 393 Veterans Museum will host its 12th annual D-Day commemoration May 29-31, marking the 82nd anniversary of the Normandy invasion aboard a ship that participated in the historic operation.

The landing ship tank vessel, built in 1942, made 30 round trips to Omaha Beach during the invasion, delivering weapons and earning three battle stars. Now permanently moored at the Mart Dock on Muskegon’s downtown waterfront, the ship serves as a museum honoring veterans from all eras.

LST 393 at Muskegon.

A 1940s-era swing dance aboard the nearby Milwaukee Clipper cruise ship highlights this year’s event. The dance will feature live music, food and beverages for $15 per ticket. The Aquastar cruise boat will offer rides throughout the weekend.

Dozens of World War II reenactors representing American, French, British, Australian, German and Japanese forces will portray sailors, Marines, soldiers, airmen, nurses and civilian fighters on the ship and surrounding grounds. World War II-era vehicles including halftracks, trucks, Jeeps and an anti-aircraft searchlight will be on display.

Saturday’s schedule begins with an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast by the Northside Lions Club starting at 8 a.m. Food vendors including G&L Chili Dogs and Culver’s will serve throughout the day

At noon, “Air Raid Muskegon” will feature replica anti-aircraft guns firing at the Hooligans Flight Team flying vintage aircraft in a mock attack on LST 393, accompanied by a narrated ground battle between Allied and Axis forces.

Museum tours will be discounted Saturday to $10 per person or $20 per family, with free admission for members.

After serving as the car freighter Highway 16 on Lake Michigan, local volunteers restored the LST 393 ship to its military appearance and established the museum.

The museum operates from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Regular admission is $15 for adults and $10 for students and veterans, which includes museum membership.

All event proceeds benefit the museum and area veterans. Special tours and group events can be arranged by calling 231-730-1477, or by clicking here.

UPDATE, 5-23: LeighAnn Ryckeghem, Operations Manager, Soo Project office, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has clarified the report below after a request from the Boatnerd news page editor. She said the news releaase was meant for mariners and “was to raise awareness and inform mariners traversing the Locks that (their) photos and videos have a different vantage point and can capture sensitive infrastructure the public doesn’t see from the park orobservation platform. Our intent is to deter these types of photos/videos for public broadcast.”

She said that the release was not meant to target to photos taken from Soo Locks Canal Park, the observation platform or from Soo Locks tour boats. “If you are on a Soo Locks boat tour, you can still take photos we just ask you to be mindful of government employees in the photos and any closeups of infrastructure are not allowed,” she said.

SooLeader contacted Jason Wojnaroski, assistant operations manager, for additional clarification for pictures and videos taken of the Soo Locks by drone pilots outside of the SSI/restricted airspace.

“As long as you keep your platform outside of the SSI (restricted airspace) and do not zoom in on operating equipment, lock shelters, security equipment or personnel, you should not have any issue with taking pictures of vessels in the locks or vessels transiting. However, if there is ever a question to release something, please feel free to email me a copy and I will give it a quick review,” Wojnaroski stated.

There is a way to request approval for the release, publication, or distribution of photos and videos taken within restricted areas, according to the USACE. To request approval, submit a written request to Wojnaroski at jason.r.wojnaroski@usace.army.mil.

ORIGINAL REPORT: DETROIT, MI – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, have noticed an increase in photos and videos taken within the St. Mary’s Falls Canal (Restricted Area) being shared publicly. To address this and help us protect this critical national infrastructure, we are issuing a reminder regarding dissemination of photography or videography obtained while transiting the canal. While taking photos and videos of the facility from public areas is

Soo Locks No Drone Zone.

welcome, capturing or sharing photos and videos of restricted zones, security infrastructure, or interior lock operations is prohibited under federal law. Mariners, passengers, and staff may not publish, distribute, or share photos or videos taken within any restricted area of the Soo Locks without prior written consent for the safety and security of our operations.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District

Reminder: Soo Locks Area a No Drone Zone

DETROIT, MI – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District reminds the public that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has designated the airspace over the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan as restricted airspace. Under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §99.7, unauthorized drone operations over the Soo Locks are prohibited due to national security, defense, and public safety concerns. The FAA issued a Special Security Instruction (SSI) to help protect the Soo Locks and surrounding critical infrastructure.

Unauthorized drone operations within the restricted airspace are a serious violation of federal law. The FAA and law enforcement agencies may take immediate enforcement action against operators, including substantial civil penalties and potential criminal charges.

Drone operators are responsible for understanding and complying with all applicable federal, state, provincial, and local aviation regulations. Operators should verify all airspace restrictions before flight to ensure operations are safe and lawful.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District