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.
