American Cruise Line Buys
American Queen Voyages’ River Ships
Ocean Voyager, Ocean Navigator Also Sold
American Cruise Lines’ river fleet is set to expand with the addition of four vessels acquired from former cruise line American Queen Voyages.
ACL agreed to purchase the river ships American Duchess, American Countess, American Empress and American Queen plus other assets. American Queen Voyages ceased operations on Feb. 20, 2024. Hornblower Group, the former cruise line’s parent company, filed for bankruptcy soon after.
Sale Prices:
American Queen: $2,150,000
American Empress: $1,600,000
American Countess: $1,600,000
American Duchess: $200,000
Certain other related assets, including, among other things, trademarks associated with American Queen Voyages™ (“AQV”), website domain names associated with AQV, and certain business records: $750,000.
The cruise line confirmed the acquisition in a statement provided to Cruise Critic. “American Cruise Lines is pleased to be the successful bidder for AQV’s river vessels. We look forward to announcing additional details after this portion of the Hornblower Holdings bankruptcy process concludes.”
Once completed, the purchase will bring American Cruise Line’s total fleet up to 25 vessels, which includes river boats, coastal ships and paddlewheelers.
The exact itineraries and entry into service dates for the soon-to-be-acquired ships are still unknown at this time.
Meanwhile, American Queen Voyages founder John Waggoner has emerged as the highest bidder for the former company’s two Great Lakes ships at a bankruptcy auction for AQV’s assets, according to documents viewed by Travel Weekly.
The Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator were purchased for less than $1 million each at the April 1 auction, according to the documents. The two Bahamas-flagged vessels had been on the market since last year for !5 million each when American Queen Voyages announced it would pull out of the Great Lakes region after the season there ended in November.
Cruise Critic, Cruise Industry News, Travel Weekly
Coast Guard Issues Bulletin Regarding Lake Erie and Eclipse
CLEVELAND, OH – The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a Marine Safety Information Bulletin for Lake Erie boaters regarding the April 8 total solar eclipse.
“We will be setting up a communications command center, bringing in extra Coast Members, boats and helicopters to focus on safety April 8,” said Lieutenant Phillip Gurtler. “We expect a lot of boat activity on Lake Erie for the eclipse,” Gurtler told Fox 8 News.
According to the Coast Guard boater bulletin, “While offering stunning celestial display, the eclipse may present challenges and potential distractions for those who navigate and operate commercial vessels on the Great Lakes.”
The Coast Guard safety tips are also for recreational boaters primarily on Lake Erie and other parts of the lower Great Lakes.
The most unique safety tip offered by the Coast Guard states: “Be aware that rapid changes in light may affect spatial perception and visibility.”
Boaters are also urged to remember to turn on their navigation lights because darkness will fall fast during the eclipse starting just after 3 p.m. in Cleveland.
Safety forces also say to have someone on the boat be a lookout and have flashlights ready.
National Museum of the Great Lakes reopens May 1
TOLEDO, OH – The National Museum of the Great Lakes will be reopening the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship and Museum Tug Ohio for the season to the public beginning Monday, May 1! The museum ships close annually over the winter months and re-open for public tours between May 1 and October 31.
Visitors may climb onboard the 617-foot cargo ship and historic tug to experience what life was like on the lakes in the early 1900s while also visiting the museum galleries. The 11,000 sq. feet museum galleries (open year round) features awe-inspiring stories of our Great Lakes through breathtaking photography, over 300 incredible artifacts, a number of powerful audiovisual displays and 40 hands-on interactive exhibits.
Summer Museum Hours:
Monday-Saturday: 10am-5pm
Sunday: 12pm-5pm
*The last time to board the boats is 4 pm.
Ticket Price:
$17.00 (Museum & Ship) / $11.00 (Museum Only) – Adults (18-64);
$16.00 (Museum & Ship) / $10.00 (Museum Only) – Seniors (65+)
$14.00 (Museum & Ship) / $8.00 (Museum Only) – Youth (6-17)
FREE – Children 5 and under, GLHS/NMGL Members
NMGL
Algoma Central receives Corporation of the Year Award
PRESS RELEASE: Algoma is pleased to announce that we were unanimously voted as the recipient of United Way Niagara’s 2023 Corporation of the Year Award. Thank you to United Way Niagara for helping us contribute to our local communities. Community engagement lies at the heart of our values as we commit to being responsible corporate citizens across Canada and here in Niagara.
We are incredibly proud to continue to donate to United Way and take part in their Days of Caring, but it wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and commitment our Bear family displays through their teamwork and passion to uplift and support their communities.
Algoma Central Corporation
Port Huron Museums is the next host for the upcoming Michigan Lighthouse Alliance
PORT HURON, MI – Calling all lighthouse aficionados and history buffs, Port Huron Museums is hosting a lighthouse conference.
Port Huron Museums is the next host for the upcoming Michigan Lighthouse Alliance Conference. The three-day conference will have people going through workshops, touring the Fort Gratiot Light Station and networking with other people passionate about lighthouses. The Michigan Lighthouse Alliance Conference will take place from April 21 to April 23 at the Blue Water Convention Center.
The last day to register for the Michigan Lighthouse Alliance Conference is April 8. People can register for the conference by visiting the event page from the Port Huron Museum’s Facebook. Registration costs $165 and includes all the activities and meals for all three days of the conference.
April 21 will serve as a social evening event for conference attendees at the Port Huron Carnegie Center. This event includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a one-woman lighthouse show. In addition to the sessions on April 22, attendees will have access to a VIP tour of the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse. April 23 will have a VIP tour of the Huron Lightship as well as its planned sessions.
Port Huron Museum Community Engagement Manager Andrew Kercher said the museum is thrilled to host the Michigan Lighthouse Alliance Conference.
The theme for the conference is “Be the Beacon: Connecting With and Guiding Your Community.” Kercher said lighthouses across the state have a community centered around them. He said these communities work to preserve, raise awareness, and overall care for these lighthouses. Michigan has approximately 129 lighthouses.
The Michigan Lighthouse Alliance holds a conference every two years. The last one took place in 2022 in Holland.
PORT HURON, MI – Calling all lighthouse aficionados and history buffs, Port Huron Museums is hosting a lighthouse conference.
Port Huron Museums is the next host for the upcoming Michigan Lighthouse Alliance Conference. The three-day conference will have people going through workshops, touring the Fort Gratiot Light Station and networking with other people passionate about lighthouses. The Michigan Lighthouse Alliance Conference will take place from April 21 to April 23 at the Blue Water Convention Center.
The last day to register for the Michigan Lighthouse Alliance Conference is April 8. People can register for the conference by visiting the event page from the Port Huron Museum’s Facebook. Registration costs $165 and includes all the activities and meals for all three days of the conference.
April 21 will serve as a social evening event for conference attendees at the Port Huron Carnegie Center. This event includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a one-woman lighthouse show. In addition to the sessions on April 22, attendees will have access to a VIP tour of the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse. April 23 will have a VIP tour of the Huron Lightship as well as its planned sessions.
Port Huron Museum Community Engagement Manager Andrew Kercher said the museum is thrilled to host the Michigan Lighthouse Alliance Conference.
The theme for the conference is “Be the Beacon: Connecting With and Guiding Your Community.” Kercher said lighthouses across the state have a community centered around them. He said these communities work to preserve, raise awareness, and overall care for these lighthouses. Michigan has approximately 129 lighthouses.
The Michigan Lighthouse Alliance holds a conference every two years. The last one took place in 2022 in Holland.
Port Huron Timers Herald
Opening For Chief Engineer – Interlake Logistics
Interlake Logistics Solutions, Inc. operates the versatile articulated tug-barge Undaunted-Pere Marquette, which carries diverse cargoes on the Great Lakes. Equipped to self-load cargo with an 800C John Deere excavator, long reach material handler, the uniquely outfitted vessel can utilize a clam bucket for flowable material or a five-tine grapple for large rocks and scrap metal. The tug Undaunted that powers the Pere Marquette 41 is a repowered Navy ATA/Rescue Tug that served in World War II. The barge Pere Marquette41 is the repurposed carferry City of Midland.
The Chief Engineer is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the vessel’s (both tug and barge) machinery and propulsion plants.
Responsibilities:
- Both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance of equipment / machinery.
- Ordering needed supplies and maintaining inventories.
- Proper record keeping, documentation and adherence to rules and regulations.
- Working with the Engine Utility to maintain a clean, safe, and positive work environment.
- This is not an all-inclusive list, but an overview of responsibilities.
Qualifications/Certifications Required:
- Minimum requirement; Valid USCG license, Chief Engineer (Limited) with at least a 2000HP endorsement.
- TWIC Card
- Current Physical / USCG Medical Certificate.
- DOT Drug Screen
- Legally eligible to work in the USA (proof of identity or eligibility required.
The rotation is 28 days on the vessel and 28 days off. After completing a 90-day probationary period, your eligible for medical, dental, vision and a 401k plan.
Applicants please apply thru website: www.ssbadger.com
