The 2025-2026 winter layup list is now up and running at  https://boatnerd3.jasonbowlerdesign.com/winter-lay-up-list-2025-2026

Lake Ontario shipwrecks could get the ‘extended reality’ treatment

WXXI News | By Jeremy Moule
   Lake Ontario was once an important gateway between the Atlantic Ocean and the rest of the Great Lakes. As a result, it has a few dozen shipwrecks below its surface, many dating to the 1700s and 1800s.
   And now, the New York Department of State plans to hire the nonprofit Coastal States Stewardship Foundation to develop an immersive extended reality experience and modular exhibit highlighting at least two of the “iconic” shipwrecks in what’s now the federally designated Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary.
   The St. Peter, a schooner that sank in 1898 near Pultneyville in Wayne County, is one of the possible subjects.
   “This exhibit is going to allow visitors of all ages and abilities the ability to enter the sanctuary, so to speak, and to experience shipwrecks in a really transformative new way,” said Kisha Santiago, deputy secretary of state.
   Extended reality is an umbrella term for immersive technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality (think Pokémon GO), and mixed reality, according to computing technology giant NVIDIA. They essentially create a virtual world for users.
   Santiago said there is a large collection of high-resolution and 3D video of the wrecks from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, as well as from recreational divers and other sources. There are also recorded stories from divers and oral histories passed down among family members.
   The sanctuary is a 1,700-square-mile stretch of eastern Lake Ontario beginning at the border between Monroe and Wayne counties and continuing to Cape Vincent in the Thousand Islands. It received the federal marine sanctuary designation in 2024, something a coalition of governments and community partners pursued for a decade.
   Marine sanctuaries are akin to national parks, but underwater.
   “We want to draw people in to be more interested in the history of New York,” Santiago said. “And you know, what … cooler way to do that than to tell some folkloric history of these shipwrecks themselves.”
   The project has a $420,000 budget; $50,000 of the funding is coming from the state Environmental Protection Fund while the rest is federal money.
   A notice posted by the Department of State to a state contract registry said that the immersive videos and exhibit would be designed for public education and outreach. They would be used in museums, schools, libraries, visitor centers, and public events across the region and state.
   “One thing that’s really important to us is inclusivity,” Santiago said. “And so we want to make sure people with different abilities and sensory sensitivities are able to experience different exhibits, as well as the ability for some of it to be loaned out.”

Now available for application! “Mate Tug Class 1” position for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers onboard the tug Demolen

   The job announcement is now open, please find the announcement information below.
   Click on the link below in this e-mail to apply. Also can be found at “usajobs.gov” website.  “DHA” for the general public and “Merit” for current or former federal employees.
   Please see the job announcement links below for XH-5782-11 Mate, Tug, Class 1 position within the Detroit District.  These announcements will be used to fill the vacancy at the Detroit Project Office on the Tug DEMOLEN.
               DUTIES:             

• Ensures vessel is prepared to sail at the scheduled time, is seaworthy, properly crewed and fitted to accomplished assigned mission.
• Serves as timekeeper for the crew members and assists the Master to evaluate the crew’s performance.
• Navigates the vessel during assigned watch.
• Observes weather conditions, forecasts, barometer, wind velocity, and other weather indicators to determine suitableness for operation.
• Works from plans or field notes showing location and extent of work to be performed in removing shoals from channel. Locates area and makes necessary arrangement for accomplishing work.
• Enforces safety regulations and instructs crew both on safety work procedures and work practices peculiar to floating plant.
• Assigns port watches for safety and security of vessel and creates the schedule and insures equitable assignment of these duties to employees.
• Sets port watch schedule for safety and security of vessel. Ensures equitable assignment/rotation of workers.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Conditions of employment
• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Must have a current U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine Credential endorsements of: a Mate of Self-propelled vessels not including auxiliary sail of less than 500 gross register tons (GRT)upon Great Lakes and Inland Waters (or greater/equivalent).
• Must have a current U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine Credential endorsements of: Master of towing vessels upon Great Lakes and inland waters (or equivalent).
• Must have a current U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine Credential endorsements of: Radar Observer (Unlimited)
• This position is covered by the Civilian Drug Abuse Testing Program. Incumbent is required to sign a DA Form 5019-R. Individual must pass drug test.
• This position requires a pre-employment physical exam AND annual physical due to the physical requirement of the position.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state issued motor vehicle driver’s license.
• This position requires incumbent to obtain and maintain a First Aid Certification
• This position requires incumbent to wear safety equipment and/or use personal protective equipment (PPE) when needed.
• This position requires Temporary Duty Travel (TDY) up to 75% of duty time.
• Shift work is required during open-water (lake) towing operations.

OVERVIEW:
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates 02/17/2026 to 03/03/2026
Salary $47.96 to – $55.94 per day
Pay scale & grade XH 11
Location 001 vacancies in the following location: Detroit, MI
Remote job: No
Telework eligible: No
Travel Required: 75% or less – You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed: Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type: Permanent
Work schedule: Full-time – Seasonal
Service: Competitive
Promotion potential: None
Job family (Series): 5782 Ship Operating
Supervisory status: No
Security clearance: Not Required
Drug test: Yes
Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process: Suitability/Fitness
Financial disclosure: No
Bargaining unit status: Yes
Merit:
Open: 2/17/2026
Close 3/3/2026
Link: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/857902000

DHA:
Open: 2/17/2026
Close 3/3/2026
Link: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/857899800

Memories of sailing for the Ford fleet featured at GLMI dinner April 12

   The Great Lakes Maritime Institute presents its annual dinner at 2 p.m. April 12 at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum in Detroit. Featured speaker will be Greg Rudnick, who will talk about his time sailing on the Ford Motor Co. vessels Henry Ford II and Benson Ford. See the flyer posted in the gallery for details. Reservations required by March 31.
[You can see the billing for this in the gallery below]

Make your reservation for a stay on the City of Milwaukee today

It’s time to plan your summer getaway aboard the S.S. City of Milwaukee!
   Book a room and spend the night on a floating National Historic Landmark, then explore all six decks of this 95 year old railroad car ferry.
   Step back in time, experience Great Lakes history up close, and make it a stay you won’t forget.

See you aboard! Link to site;  https://www.carferry.com/boatel?fbclid=IwY2xjawQJgrxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJUOWJ6bVljek5zVE8wbVRrc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHp09bZhg2J1_QTU2qcbLcdS7M2ZwXeUqQneAsczgLqjpCmkQQBe_O6-SGKDp_aem_wHFOXWoMgm4wqI_FHzJTSw

Chance to win a trip on a lakes freighter