MEARS, MI – This brick-red lighthouse that shines on Lake Michigan’s sandy shoreline is about to get an upgrade. Little Sable Point Lighthouse, standing 115 feet tall at Silver Lake State Park near Mears, will soon have new tempered glass windows in its lantern room, Lakeshore Keepers the nonprofit that manages the light, announced today. The lighthouse currently has plexiglass windows. This project comes as Lakeshore Keepers prepares to open its fifth lighthouse, Manistee North Pierhead Light, and fundraises for a $450,000 restoration of Big Sable Point Lighthouse at Ludington State Park.

The $15,000 window project at Little Sable is fully funded, officials said.

Built in 1874, Little Sable still houses a non-functioning 3rd-order Fresnel lens in the lantern room; it also has a functioning LED light that was replaced in December after burning out. The nonprofit received a $10,000 grant from the United States Lighthouse Society in support of this project. It was one of just five lighthouse organizations to receive funding. The remainder of the project cost is covered by Lakeshore Keepers’ earmarked funds for general restoration. Little Sable will open for the season on May 11.

Little Sable Point Lighthouse. [Trip Advisor Via Facebook]

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Extensive ice in the West Neebish Channel is impacting the Neebish Island Ferry service in Barbeau, Michigan. Unfavorable winds, combined with the backlog of ice upstream, have caused ice to become heavily packed throughout the river, preventing it from naturally flushing out of the river system. These conditions are expected to persist for up to two weeks.

Ice at the Neebish Island ferry dock. [Neebish Island Leaflet – Facebook]

Coast Guard Sector Northern Great Lakes has been in contact with the Chippewa County Emergency Management Office and the Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority to discuss transportation capabilities and contingencies for potential emergency situations on the island.

“Unfortunately, these river conditions are a result of a winter season with above average snowfall and colder temperatures. There’s not much any vessel, or combination of vessels, can do until favorable weather enables the ice to flush from the channel,” said Capt. Jim Bendle, Sector Northern Great Lakes Commander. “The isolating challenges endured by the resilient residents of Neebish Island are a real concern for Sector Northern Great Lakes and our Com-mand Center remains ready.

USCG

Mackinaw on the St. Marys River in January 2026. [Roger LeLievre]

According to her AIS, the USCG icebreaker Mackinaw is heading to Midland, ON, to break ice for the departure of the CSL self-unloader Thunder Bay, which has been laid up there for the winter. This is an unusual destination for the Mackinaw, and illustrates the cooperative approach to icebreaking the U.S. and Canadian coast guards have long employed.

Fincantieri Marine Group, which operates three Great Lakes shipyards, and two other Great Lakes shipbuilders, Fraser Shipyards in Superior, Wis., and Donjon Marine in Erie, Pa., have established a collaborative framework aimed at bringing new shipbuilding programs and technology to the “Fourth Coast,” aligning with the Trump administration’s efforts to expand domestic shipbuilding capacity.

The three shipbuilders plan to work together to compete for a U.S. Coast Guard contract to build a new Homeland Security Cutter, a light icebreaker. Fincantieri is expected to lead the effort alongside its Great Lakes partners and additional companies that may join the initiative.

“Our initial goal is to provide the Coast Guard with a ready-to-build solution for its seven new light icebreakers, and we welcome others to join us on this and other potential projects as we collectively bring significant work to the Fourth Coast,” said Fincantieri Marine Group CEO George Moutafis. “The alliance of these accomplished shipbuilders remains open to other Great Lakes companies, especially those with maritime technology and manufacturing expertise.”

The alliance is intended to accelerate collaboration among regional shipbuilders and maritime companies while supporting the adoption of new shipbuilding technologies.

“This Great Lakes Shipyard alliance will encourage quick mobilization and collaboration among shipbuilders and maritime companies operating in the region as we adopt new ship building technologies,” said Fraser Shipyards CEO Patrick Kelly. “The Trump Administration has proposed Maritime Prosperity Zones to facilitate stronger relationships among industry partners and communities to increase industrial capacity at a time of renewed investment in domestic shipbuilding.”

Donjon Marine President and CEO John Witte Jr. said the partnership reflects a broader push to strengthen domestic industrial capacity.

“Donjon Shipbuilding is excited to stand alongside Fincantieri Marine Group and Fraser Shipyards in building a stronger future for American shipbuilding on the Fourth Coast,” Witte said. “This alliance reflects the kind of collaboration required to expand domestic industrial capacity and deliver important national shipbuilding programs.”

Fincantieri operates three Great Lakes shipyards in northeast Wisconsin that have worked together on multiple shipbuilding programs for nearly two decades. The company said its multi-yard operating model could serve as a blueprint for linking production sites and strengthening the domestic supply chain across the Fourth Coast to accelerate delivery of new vessels.

Marine Log

The St. Lawrence Seaway has announced that the Welland Canal West Flight Locks will be closed for a week due to the March 30 train derailment at Lock 4. Up and downbound traffic will go through the east side.

The Pelee Islander II ferry sets sail for its 2026 season starting April 1, marking the return of regular service between the Leamington, ON, dock and Pelee Island. As the first departure of the season pushes off across Lake Erie, it signals not just a transportation link but the reopening of one of Ontario’s most unique island destinations. Each spring, the ferry’s return is a milestone for residents, businesses, and visitors eager to experience the island’s natural beauty, wineries, and relaxed pace of life after the quieter winter months.

Pelee Islander II. [Windsor Aerial Drone Photography]

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – Mild temps and diligent ice breaking from the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard meant that quite a few ships got through the Soo Locks Monday and that is continuing today… there is a steady flow of traffic both above and below the locks. The Neebish Island ferry is operating on a limited schedule which could change to a total shut down of service if ice conditions in the Rock Cut worsen.

Neebish Islander II at her dock in Barbeau, MI. [John Rice]

John G. Munson passing Neebish Island earlier this week. [Neebish Island Leaflet]

The M/V Blacky (a Canfornav “duck boat”) is the winner of the 164th (2025) and 165th (2026) annual Port of Toronto Top Hat Ceremony, arriving first to kick off the shipping season. The ceremony, held in late March at Redpath Sugar, continues a 19th-century tradition where the captain receives a top hat. Sailing in from São Paulo, she delivered 19,300 metric tonnes of sugar on March 30, marking a strong start to the season. Captain Igor Baturin was presented with the top hat by RJ Steenstra (Ports Toronto President & CEO) and Harbour Master Michael Rieh. The ceremony was initiated to encourage early-season cargo delivery to Toronto, and the top hat now serves as a ceremonial symbol of welcoming the first captain.

Janey Anderson

Blacky in the Welland Canal. [File Photo – Bill Bird]

Blacky is carrying sugar from Brazil. [Janey Anderson]

Top Hat ceremony. [Janey Anderson]

UPDATE MARCH 30: Repairs complete, Herbert C. Jackson left Ecorse the evening of March 29.

Herbert C. Jackson, which left winter layup at Ecorse, MI (near Detroit) Tuesday headed for Sandusky to load coal, instead tied up at Monroe, MI, that same day, escorted by two Great Lakes Towing Co. tugs. Late Thursday she left Monroe, headed back to Ecorse. Although there has been no official announcement, waterfront reports indicate the Jackson may have had steering issues while downbound in the narrow Livingstone Channel and may have sustained some hull damage by touching bottom in the incident.

Herbert C. Jackson upbound on the St. Marys River in 2025. [Roger LeLievre]

The Manitoulin, which has been acquired by McKeil Marine Ltd. of Burlington, ON, had her new logos applied to her stack Monday at BayShip, Sturgeon Bay, WI. She was part of the Lower Lakes Towing fleet which was sold earlier this year.

Rosann Hollinger

Manitoulin getting McKeil stack logo on Monday. [Rosann Hollinger]