Thunder Bay port greets Resko, first saltie of the season
The Port of Thunder Bay has opened to international shipping with the arrival of the first ocean-going vessel to port during the 2022 navigation season. M/V Blacky crossed the Thunder Bay breakwall at 0825 Monday, April 18, 2022. Blacky is currently loading Western Canadian wheat and oats at Richardson International’s main elevator and will sail for Puerto Rico on Wednesday. Blacky Captain Oleg Gerasymchuk and Chief Engineer Igor Matsala were recognized in the Top Hat Ceremony at the Richardson elevator. Port Authority Board Director Pat Bushby presented the Top Hat.
Port of Thunder Bay
Efforts continue to ‘Save The Sullivans’ in Buffalo
Buffalo, N.Y. – The U.S. Coast Guard and partner agencies are continuing efforts to save the historic USS The Sullivans museum ship after it sank at its pier last week at the Buffalo Naval Park in Buffalo, New York.
The decorated U.S. Navy destroyer-turned museum ship partially sank at its pier last Wednesday after a “serious hull breach” on its starboard side.
The Coast Guard said it was working with partners in assessing and refloating vessel. Divers and underwater drones will be deployed as contractors work to dewater the vessel.
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) visited the park this week to announce a “multi-approach plan” to secure federal funding needed to save The Sullivans and continue the environmental cleanup efforts. “Today I am putting out an SOS across the federal government: Save Our Sullivans. I’m fully committed to having all hands on deck in getting the maximum amount of federal dollars we have,” said Schumer.
Currently there are no discussions of scrapping the vessel. “Failure is not an option. We are here to save The Sullivans,” said Coast Guard Commander Bill Mckinstry.
Built in 1943, USS The Sullivans is one of only four Fletcher-class destroyers, known for being the largest and most important class of U.S. destroyers used in World War II, remaining in existence. USS The Sullivans is also the first ship in the U.S. Navy to be named for more than one person—named after the five brothers from Waterloo, Iowa who were killed in action in 1942 while serving together on board the USS Juneau.
The USS The Sullivans is owned and maintained as a museum ship by Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, the largest inland Naval Park in the United States located in Buffalo, New York. Fundraising information can be found on the park’s Facebook page.
FAA has issued Temporary Flight Restrictions around the park, which includes drones, to ensure the safety of responders.
gCaptain
Star Line renamed Mackinac Island Ferry Company as season kicks off
St. Ignace, MI – One of the most popular routes to Mackinac Island is taking on a new name as the new tourism season begins. The Star Line ferry is transitioning to the Mackinac Island Ferry Company in a two-year process beginning now and ending sometime in 2023.
Some signs and branding at Star Line docks will change this summer, but other assets will remain with Star Line logos until 2023.
“The new name is easily recognizable to our customers and, while our name will change, we continue to be committed to providing the same great service, enjoyable rides and on time arrivals and departures that our guests have become accustomed to,” said Jerry Fetty, CEO of Mackinac Island Ferry Company.
Star Line ferries are best known for throwing rooster tails behind as the traverse from Mackinac Island to St. Ignace and Mackinaw City. The company also includes the former Arnold Line Ferry fleet and Mackinac Marine Services shipyard.
“This collection of Mackinac Island Ferry companies has been a prominent group of legacy Michigan brands since 1878,” Fetty said. “From a business perspective, the strategic name change is a result of their accumulation under one company, allowing us to leverage a single brand name.”
WJRT
Museum’s boats reopen for season; call for museum volunteers
Toledo, OH – The National Museum of the Great Lakes will reopen the Col.
James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship and Museum Tug Ohio to the public beginning May 1 and is seeking individuals interested in volunteering.
In addition, the museum’s open hours will increase from 6 to 7 days a week, Monday thru Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
“As the summer season nears, volunteers become the lifeblood of our museum—serving as greeters, helping with our museum vessel and ground maintenance, and so much more,” reports Rebecca Gray, who oversees the museum’s volunteer initiative. “Volunteers could be students in need of interesting work to complete required high school volunteer hours, adults with an interest in restoration efforts, or simply individuals who just want to spend time onboard our vessels or at the museum.”
To learn more about volunteering or to sign-up to volunteer visit: www.nmgl.org/volunteer. To pre-purchase tickets for a museum visit, go to nmglstore.org.
Obituary: Alan Jon Saeger
Alan Jon Saeger, 62, of Hammond, Indiana, passed away suddenly on Thursday February 3.
Alan, known to his many shipmates as Flash, worked for more than 40 years on the Great Lakes, sailing aboard the Inland Steel vessels Edward L. Ryerson, Joseph L. Block, Wilfred Sykes, Adam E. Cornelius, and the tug Cindy B. He was quite proud of his time aboard the Ryerson as he spoke often about sailing on her.
Alan is survived by his mother Caroline Handley, brothers Dennis Saeger, John (Sandra) Saeger, Elden (Cindy) Saeger, and Douglas (Carrie) Handley II. He is preceded in death by his father Ronald Saeger, sister Debra Saeger, step-father Douglas Handley, and nephew Louis Saeger.
Alan was an avid Sci-Fi fan and never missed a movie opening. He was devoted to his family, who will miss him dearly. Burial services will take place at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at St. John/St. Joseph Cemetery 1547 167th Street in Hammond, Indiana. A celebration of Alan’s life including family and friends will follow the burial services from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Highland Elks Lodge #981 3120 45th Avenue, Highland, Indiana.
For additional information, please contact Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center Konnie Kuiper-Kevin Nordyke-Michael Kuiper-Vass by calling 219-838-0800 or visiting www.hillsidefhcares.com
