American Courage freed after running aground on Lake Erie near Fairport Harbor
FAIRPORT, OH – An American freighter again is afloat on Lake Erie after it was stuck for more than a day after running aground near Fairport Harbor, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard announced just after 4 a.m. Tuesday that the American Courage, which is more than 600 feet long, had been freed and was heading into Fairport Harbor on its own power. The large freighter reportedly had been stuck since early Sunday afternoon.
Two tugboats worked to free the boat on Sunday but were unsuccessful. Another large freighter, the Manitowoc, was brought in Monday to help lighten the cargo load of the American Courage, the Coast Guard says.
A third tugboat was brought in to help free the ship on Monday, according to the Coast Guard. There were no reports of injuries and also no signs of pollution from the ship.
The American Courage typically hauls iron ore pellets, coal and limestone, according to the American Steamship Co. It can hold more than 24,000 tons of cargo. It was built in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and has been in service since 1979.
Cleveland.com
Watch drone footage of the aground American Courage at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhSF3G-ReEo
USS Minneapolis-St. Paul commissioned during ceremony
DULUTH, MN – History was made in the Twin Ports on the morning of Saturday, May 21 as USS Minneapolis-St. Paul (LCS-21) was officially commissioned into the active fleet of the United States Navy.
Well-attended by guests and dignitaries alike, the ceremonies began 10:00 at Berth 8 of the Duluth Port Authority’s Arthur M. Clure Public Marine Terminal, where the vessel had been docked since her arrival in port on May 16. Distinguished guests included Representative Betty McCollum from Minnesota’s 4th district; Representative Pete Stauber of Minnesota’s 8th district; Mayors Jacob Frey, Melvin Carter, and Emily Larson of Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Duluth, respectively; Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota; and officials from the United States Navy, Lockheed Martin Integrated Warfare Systems and Sensors, and Fincantieri Marinette Marine. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was also in attendance, and received a 21-gun salute from cannons on the pier at the opening of the event.
Following speeches by officials, the Minneapolis-St. Paul was officially placed into the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Colors were hoisted, the commissioning pennant was broken on the mast, and with Cmdr. Alfonzo White given control of the vessel, the ship’s sponsor Jodi Greene gave the order to bring her to life. A quartet of Minnesota National Guard helicopters flew over the Minneapolis-St. Paul to cap off the event as the crew ran aboard and activated her systems to the tune of “Anchors Aweigh.”
USS Minneapolis-St. Paul was launched and christened on June 15, 2019 at Fincantieri Marinette Marine and delivered on November 18, 2021, according to the U.S. Navy. She will have a home port of Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida. Named in honor of Minnesota’s capital St. Paul and the neighboring city of Minneapolis, the vessel is the first Navy craft with a Minnesotan namesake to be commissioned in the state itself. Both cities have been honored separately as vessel namesakes on two occasions each, and this is the second time that the Twin Cities have been jointly recognized on a hull. The first USS Minneapolis-St. Paul, SSN-708, was a 1983-built Los Angeles-class attack submarine decommissioned in 2007.
Carrying a designation LCS-21, the present-day Minneapolis-St. Paul is a Freedom-class variant in the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship program and the 21st vessel constructed as part of the program. She measures 387 feet in length, 57.7 feet in width, and has a draft of 14.1 feet at a full load displacement of 3,450 metric tons. Designed to operate at high speeds in shallow (littoral) waters, the Minneapolis-St. Paul is propelled by twin steerable water jets giving her a top speed in excess of 40 knots. Lockheed Martin lists the vessel as capable of carrying MH-60 helicopters and an MQ-8 Firescout unmanned aerial vehicle, increasing her survivability in conjunction with a TRD-4S Air Search Radar, SeaRAM (r) 57 mm Mk 110 gun, and decoy launching system all operated by a state-of-the-art COMBATSS-21 combat management system. She carries a core crew of 50 sailors with accommodations for up to 98 crew members.
As of Monday night, the commissioned Minneapolis-St. Paul remains tied up at her Port Terminal berth, awaiting a departure out the St. Lawrence Seaway and entry into active military service. Wherever her duties take her, the vessel’s Minnesota roots will forever be with her and her crew as they defend America, her allies, and freedom throughout the world. In the words of the ship’s motto, AUT VIAM INVENIAM AUT FACIAM: I will find a way or make one.
Joshua Hebeisen
Royal Canadian Navy ships to visit St. Lawrence Seaway-Great Lakes communities in 2022
The Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) Great Lakes Deployment (GLD) 2022 will soon be underway with planned visits to communities along the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes, with Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Oriole (May 14 to August 31) and Glace Bay (June 24 to July 29) being this year’s GLD ambassadors.
GLD provides Canadians with a unique opportunity to tour one of Canada’s naval ships and to learn about life in the RCN from our sailors. Canadians will be encouraged to stop by, say hello, and speak to our sailors about their experiences on domestic and international operations.
It also provides a learning opportunity about the different trades available in the RCN and hear stories and anecdotes directly from sailors who have chosen the challenge of a career at sea.
View the full schedule at this link: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2022/05/royal-canadian-navy-ships-to-visit-st-lawrence-seaway-great-lakes-communities-in-2022.html?fbclid=IwAR1eSqvBDxeZwKTPtgste7NNG9jCwU2j7dRvrN0EuKHqsHu_9ZTS8jD8bdc
Government of Canada
Know Your Ships book signing is Saturday at Port Huron
PORT HURON, MI – On Saturday May 28, the Great Lakes Maritime Center in Port Huron will host its 2022 “Know Your Ships” Book Signing with editor and publisher Roger LeLievre from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Along with the book, Roger will have Great Lakes caps and Stack & Flag charts for sale.
Great Lakes cartoonist / illustrator artist Don Lee, whose freighter cartoons have often appeared on Facebook, will have his easel and will sketch your likeness, with or without freighter (tips appreciated).
Also on hand will be Roger Hulett, author of “A Lot More To Do – Frank Mays Survival of the Tragic Carl D Bradley Sinking.” Ken Niemi, a Great Lakes historian, will have used maritime books, art and some artifacts for sale.
If you can’t make Saturday’s Know Your Ships signing, Roger will also be set up Sunday, May 29, at the Mariner Theater, 430 S. Water St., Marine City, between noon and 3 p.m.
Great Lakes Maritime Center
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.
