Cancer claims maritime volunteer Kari Ann David
Kari Ann David, 57, passed away on Saturday, September 28th, 2024 at Marshfield Hospital, Marshfield, WI. Visitation and a service will be held at Hansen-Schilling Funeral Home on Saturday, October 12th. The visitation will begin at 9 a.m. and go until the start of service at noon. American Legion Post 54 will provide Military Honor at the funeral home following the Memorial Service.
Kari was a firm believer that if you can help out, you should. She was a member and volunteer of many organizations. These organizations included: Wisconsin Horseshoe Pitchers Association, Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society, Great Lake Lighthouse Society, Westboro Fish and Wildlife Club, Crisp Point Lighthouse Society, SS Meteor Maritime Museum, and hanging wreaths and donating baked goods to the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King. In addition to all of that, she also found time for camping, fishing, baking, and cooking.
She was loved by all who knew her and made many friends in the Great Lakes shipping community both and off the boats. She never let her long battle with breast cancer or the health issues that came along with it stop her from helping people or going on awesome adventures.
Kari was also a proud service member. She was a paratrooper in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division.
Kari was born on August 18th, 1967. The daughter of Roger and Rachel (Woltmann) Seefeldt. She attended and graduated from Waupaca High School. It was in October of 1999 that she married the love of her life, Craig David, at Christ Lutheran Church in Marshfield Kari is survived by her loving husband: Craig; children: Gunnar (Alyssa) and Malachi (Emily); and beloved dog: Reuben.
She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws, and her parents Roger and Rachel Seefeldt.
Soo Locks Plaza project taking shape with placement
of models
Sault Ste. Marie, MI – The Soo Locks Plaza, a place for learning and inspiration, a part of the Soo Locks Canal Park began taking shape this summer with the placement of new weathertight cases and the installation of two models of the Soo Locks facility.
The birds eye view of one of the models provides a look into the future showing the entire facility, as it will appear after completion of the New Lock at the Soo. Created in 2022, the model includes ships approaching the locks, the bridges on the western end of the facility and even tiny yellow carts near many of the buildings.
The second model recently installed offers a look into the past. After decades in the park, crews removed this model for professional restoration in 2020. Originally built in 1893, this model features the original Poe Lock, which operated from 1896-1960. Sometime in the 1940s the model was modified to include the MacArthur Lock.
A third case with a restored 1912 model of the Davis Lock and wayside exhibits will be added to the plaza later in the year.
The Soo Locks Plaza project is the result of a partnership between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Soo Locks Visitor Center Association, other community agencies and individual donors to rehabilitate the historic models and return them to the park with informative exhibits creating a place for learning and inspiration for visitors.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District
Lakes Limestone Trade Up 9.4 Percent in September
CLEVELAND — Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.8 million tons in September, an increase of 9.4 percent compared to a year ago. Limestone cargos were also above the month’s 5-year average by 4.5 percent.
Loadings from U.S. quarries totaled 3.1 million tons, an increase of 10.6 percent from 2023. Shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 678,580 tons, an increase of 4.2 percent.
Year-to-date the limestone trade stands at 20.8 million tons, an increase of 1.8 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries increased 2 percent to 16.7 million tons; while shipments from Ontario quarries increased less than 1 percent from 2023 to 4.1 million tons.
[See Chart in Gallery below]
U.S. ports: Calcite, MI; Cedarville, MI; Drummond Island, MI; Marblehead, OH; Port Inland, MI; and Presque Isle, MI. Canadian ports: Bruce Mines, Manitoulin Island, Port Colborne (from August 2017 on), and Smelter Bay (all Ontario).
Fall Boatnerd Mini-Gathering
in the Soo Oct. 3-6
If you are in the Soo Oct. 3-6, join us for a Fall Boatnerd Mini-Gathering. On Friday afternoon there will be a special Boatnerd locks/river cruise courtesy of Original Soo Locks Boat Tours (see image). This is a very informal event, just another chance to get together before winter. https://www.facebook.com/events/1037156117917546
Your guide to freighter watching in southeast Michigan: What to know
Detroit, MI – Horsepower, booming horns and big waves off the Detroit River: For freighter watchers, it doesn’t get much better than that.
Freighter watching, where people observe and photograph ships crossing waterways, has a loyal following in Detroit and Windsor, thanks to the Detroit River bordering both cities.
Marty Flore’s love of freighters on open water started when he was a teenager and his dad sailed the Great Lakes. “I’ve even got to go on some freighters with him,” said Flore, 69, of Windsor.
That long ago experience ultimately led Flore to organize in 2019 the Detroit River Freighters, a Facebook group of nearly 3,000 Boatnerds that share photos of ships they find on the Detroit River and meet up when a unique ship comes to town.
The group, which includes members from Canada and Michigan, has become a place where people along the Detroit River can easily come together to share their passion for big ships.
“We were over there in Detroit a few weeks ago. You guys got the riverwalk now and you can see everything from there,” Flore said.
Whether you’re new to freighter watching or just looking for some new tips, here’s what metro Detroit has to offer:
How to track ships
The first step to shipwatching is using a ship traffic website. This ensures you know what ships are close and where to get the best view. To check freighter travel in Michigan, visit the MarineTraffic.com website. This automatic identification system tracks ships globally and tells you where ships are coming from, where they’re going and at what speed.
What to look for
Look for differences between the ships, including the ship’s origin, cargo and speed. Certain vessels are made to transport unique and special cargo. If that’s more than you care to know, skip the details and just watch the ship calmly glide across the water.
There are many areas to spot a freighter on the Detroit River. Here are three popular ones:
Riverside Park: The 29-acre park on Detroit’s southwest riverfront is equipped with soccer fields, picnic areas and a basketball court. It’s a great location for catching freighters. Riverside Park is located at 3085 W Jefferson Ave.
William Livingstone Memorial Light/Belle Isle: While visitors of Belle Isle cannot access the inside of William Livingstone Memorial Light, you can see the freighters pass behind the lighthouse off the shore. Belle Isle is located at 2 Inselruhe Avenue in Detroit.
Belanger Park: The 9.5-acre park located at 1 Belanger Park Drive in River Rouge is a destination for freighter-watchers to watch ships travel across the Detroit River. The park has a waterfront gazebo, two picnic pavilions, a walking path and a play area for children. Visitors can see freighters from the boardwalk.
For shipwatchers who don’t want to leave their home, the Detroit Historical Society allows viewers to watch freighters pass on the Detroit River using the RiverCam. The camera is mounted on the roof of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum and streams 24/7 live on Youtube. https://detroithistorical.org/dossin-great-lakes-museum/detroit-river-watch-webcam
Editor’s Note: Another great way to find out about the boats is to pick up a copy of the annual field guide Know Your Ships: Guide to Boats and Boatwatching on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway. Order at knowyourships.com
Detroit Free Press
Marine Mart planned for Oct. 12
The Great Lakes Maritime Institute will host its 43rd annual Marine Mart Oct, 12 in St. Clair Shores, MI. See the flier in the photo gallery for details.
