Presque Isle at Anchor After Grounding
SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – The 1,000-foot tug/barge combo Presque Isle was stopped in the Nine Mile (Hay Lake) Anchorage Wednesday morning after observers say she missed the turn at Johnson’s Point in the Middle Neebish upbound channel on the St. Marys River Tuesday evening.
“We were standing at Johnson’s Point watching it making the turn. As it was turning you could see he was not in the channel, it was way over to the Canadian side. We watched it back up trying to right itself, it eventually was able to move forward and get in the channel,” one observer posted on Neebish Island social media.
“Even gave a salute once it was unstuck! Lots of cheering!” wrote another poster.
There has been no official word on the incident. An oil containment boom has been deployed around the stern. The vessel is likely undergoing inspection. Presque Isle was headed for Superior, WI, when the incident occurred.
Bollinger Teams Up With Global Powerhouses to Fast-Track Icebreaker Production for U.S. Coast Guard
Mike Schuler
July 29, 2025
Louisiana-based Bollinger Shipyards has joined forces with Rauma Shipyards of Finland, Seaspan Shipyards of Canada, and Aker Arctic Technology Inc. to form a strategic partnership aimed at building the next generation of Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs) for the U.S. Coast Guard—marking the latest bid to fast-track American icebreaker construction.
The coalition brings together some of the world’s foremost experts in icebreaker design, engineering, and production to deliver a proven, mission-ready Arctic Security Cutter in just 36 months from contract award—meeting the Coast Guard’s urgent need for Arctic capability and aligning with President Trump’s “America First” shipbuilding priorities.
“In line with President Trump’s directive to grow and modernize America’s icebreaking fleet, Bollinger is proud to lead this partnership with a focus on speed, quality, certainty and results,” said Bollinger CEO Ben Bordelon.
