Saltie Volgaborg loses power on St. Marys River
12:25 UPDATE: Volgaborg has been cleared to proceed upbound without tug assistance. Anchored vessels will get underway in the same order as they anchored.
ORIGINAL REPORT: SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – Just after 9 a.m. Monday, the upbound saltwater vessel Volgaborg reported it had lost power near Frechette Point on the lower St. Marys River. They were able to get a bow and stern anchor out and did not go aground. The salties Bandura and Shipka, right behind her, anchored immediately in the Nine Mile (Hay Lake) Anchorage. The downbound Federal Bering was able to tie up on the MacArthur Lock lower wall with the assistance of tug Colorado, after which the tug headed down to the Volgaborg to stand by if needed. Although power was reported restored, U.S. Coast Guard inspectors boarded the Volgaborg to make sure the vessel was ready to proceed. Meanwhile, CSL Welland joined the other two vessels in the anchorage around noon, with the downbound Edgar B. Speer being held at the locks. Volgaborg, owned by the Amsterdam-based Royal Wagenborg fleet, is headed for Duluth.
Know Your Ships
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Car drives into Seaway Canal; Ship traffic halted
MONTREAL – Lower Seaway is closed to up and down traffic Monday morning (11/24/25 – 07:00) as a result of a car that drove into the South Shore Canal near the CPR Bridge (east end of Kahnawake). No word on when things will resume moving. At this time, five upbound and two downbound ships are impacted.
Janey Anderson – Ship Junkies
Christmas Tree Ship: Historically-inspired holiday
tradition returns to National Museum of the Great Lakes
TOLEDO, Ohio — The National Museum of the Great Lakes is holding its annual Christmas Tree Ship event, a tradition with historic roots and an emphasis on giving during the holiday season.
The event encourages the public to purchase a live 5 to 7 foot Christmas Tree for themselves or to donate one to a community member in need. The trees are sourced from Matthes Tree Farm in Ida, Michigan. They can be pre-purchased through Sunday, Nov. 30 at 1 p.m., according to a press release from the museum. Trees are $80 each.
On Saturday, Dec. 6, the public can watch Santa Claus arrive on a tugboat filled with Christmas trees for families.
The event, which is centered around the giving season, also invited the public to purchase gift card donations for the museum to distribute to local organizations, including the East Toledo Family Center, Family House, Lucas County Children Services and Sylvania Area Family Services.
Also partnering with NMGL in the project are presenters UToledo Health and the Port of Museum. The former’s help will ensure every tree or gift card donation will include a health hygiene kit for families in need, NMGL said.
The event will coincide with free museum admission and include a variety of family holiday events, such as the East Toledo Holiday Parade and a Meet and Greet with Santa.
The event takes its inspiration from the historic schooner “Rouse Simmons,” which was known as the original Christmas Tree ship. Rouse Simmons sank on Nov. 23, 1912 while carrying a load of Christmas trees to Chicago. Its captain was well-known for giving trees to families in need, NMGL said on its website.
Those who are interested in learning more about receiving a donated tree should call United Way at 211.
For more information, or to purchase a Christmas tree, click here: https://nmgl.org/event/christmas-tree-ship25/
Ocean Tower departs with Big Blue 70 from Manitowoc
Ocean Tower departed with Big Blue 70 at 8:24 AM Tuesday morning with the tug Donald J Sarter assisting them in getting down the river.
The Sarter was back in Sturgeon Bay by 2:31 PM
Wednesday morning update:
The Tow passed under the Mackinac Bridge at approx. 8:00 AM
Thursday Update;
The tow was passing Port Huron this morning.
UPDATE:
Friday update provided by Windsor Aerial Drone Photography
Excellent video today. Click on link: https://www.facebook.com/windsoraerialdronephotography
Update:
Saturday photos added arriving Port Colborne
Update:
Sunday evening AIS Is showing the tow stopped at Port Weller, Canada
[More Photos in the Gallery below]
