BoatnerdNews – March 7, 2024

March 7, 2024

Fire breaks out on freighter being scrapped at Soo, ON

UPDATE: There were no injuries sustained in the blast.

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – A fire broke out Wednesday on a retired freighter docked on the
St. Marys River. Nearby residents reported a loud noise in the area shortly before 6 p.m.
Wednesday, followed by visible flames coming from the Mississagi. Smoke and fire
could be seen from the Michigan side of the river. The cause of the fire is unknown.

Mississagi was the longest-operating Canadian flagged laker on the Great Lakes when
it went out of service in late 2020. Stripped for parts and equipment while docked in
Sarnia, the Mississagi was towed to the Purvis Marine scrapyard in October 2021.

Demolition has continued at a slow pace since then.

View a video at this link: https://www.sooleader.com/local-news/video-fire-breaks-out-on-freighter-in-st-marys-river-8407758

Soo Leader, Soo Today

Soo Locks to open early for 2024 shipping season

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI. – The Poe Lock at Sault Ste. Marie, MI, will open to marine
traffic at 6 p.m. on March 22, marking the start of the 2024 Great Lakes shipping
season. The shipping industry requested an early season opening due the urging of
major steel producers.

“The St. Lawrence Seaway has announced that it will open this spring on March 22. We
would like to match that early opening at the Soo,” President of the Lake Carriers’
Association James Weakley said. “We also note that the Seaway strike in 2023 and
extreme wind events toward the end of the last operating season left the fleet with
undelivered cargo.”

“Our winter maintenance period is a critical time for us to invest in our aging locks,”
Detroit District Commander Lt. Col. Brett Boyle said. “This year, a number of factors
worked in our favor that allowed us to safely deliver this critical maintenance and also
open to navigation traffic a few days early, with the St. Lawrence Seaway.”

Federal regulation (33 CFR 207.440) establishes the operating season based on the
feasibility of vessels operating during typical Great Lakes ice conditions.

The locks officially closed after the last vessel of the 2023 season on January 16, to
undergo critical repairs and maintenance during the 10 week-long winter shutdown.

Maintenance crews performed a variety of critical tasks on the Poe Lock, including
structural inspections, maintenance, and installation of lifting lugs on the upstream miter
gate. On the downstream miter gates crews installed anchorage components and
completed critical structural repairs. Major rehabilitation continued on the Poe Lock’s
upstream and downstream ship arrestor systems.

“We worked hard to accelerate work up-front during our annual closure, with crews
working extended days and hours to optimize the short time available for critical
maintenance and repairs,” Maintenance Branch Chief Nicholas Pettit said. “Due to the
hard work of our maintenance crews and some mild weather, we’ve been able to
accomplish all required work ahead of schedule.”

“We welcome visitors into the park for the 2024 Soo Locks season opening,” Chief Park
Ranger Michelle Briggs said. “The park and viewing platform will stay open until 8 p.m.
to allow visitors to watch the first ship from the viewing platform.”

All persons entering are subject to a security search at the Soo Locks entry checkpoint.
Firearms, weapons, drugs, pets (except service animals) and bicycles are not permitted.

For those unable to attend in person, the Detroit District will host a Facebook Live of the
event at https://www.facebook.com/USACEDetroitDistrict starting at 5:55 p.m.
The MacArthur Lock, located south of the Poe, will remain closed for maintenance until
April 24. Great Lakes cruising expected to bring $200M, 20,000 passengers to region in
2024.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District

West Neebish Channel to open

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI. – lce throughout the St Marys River is deteriorating. With the
unseasonably warm temperatures ahead, VTS St Marys River plans to open the West
Neebish Channel in accordance with 33 CFR 162.117. Effective 09 March 2024 at 1300
local, the West Neebish Channel will be open to vessel traffic.

USCG

Cruise ships expected to have big economic impact in 2024

The upcoming Great Lakes cruising season is expected to bring 20,000 visitors and
$200 million in economic impact to the region, officials said.

Cruise the Great Lakes, the region’s cruise marketing program, announced its forecast
today for the 2024 cruising season, which follows a record-breaking season in 2023.

“As we look ahead to 2024, we remain committed to sustaining the vitality of our
region’s cruising sector,” said Anna Tanski, tourism director of Cruise the Great Lakes.

“In just a decade, the number of cruise passengers has more than doubled, and Great
Lakes ports continue to thrive as hubs for visitors. We are focused on maintaining this
momentum as we navigate the future.”

Six cruise lines will make nearly 600 port visits this year, the release said.

That’s down from eight cruise lines in 2023. Pearl Seas Cruises, Viking Cruises, St.
Lawrence Cruise Lines, Ponant, Hapag-Lloyd and Plantours Cruises are all returning
while American Queen Voyages and Vantage are not.

On the other hand, economic impact is expected to be up by $20 million, from $180
million, in 2023, the release said. The increase is “driven by an upward trend in
passenger numbers, port visits, shoreside spending,” and the appeal of Great Lakes
cruises.

However, passenger numbers appear to be down. In 2022, total passenger visits were
estimated at 150,000. It was 170,000 in 2023. This year, the prediction is 140,000.