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

Industrial accident reported aboard tugboat in Ludington

    LUDINGTON, MI — A worker was hospitalized Monday after an industrial accident aboard a tugboat docked in Ludington for the winter.
   The Ludington Police Department reported that officers, along with the Ludington Fire Department and LIFE EMS, responded at approximately 11:27 a.m. March 2 to a medical emergency aboard the tugboat Undaunted, owned by Interlake Logistics Solutions Inc., according to a department press release.
   Responders determined that a third-party vendor was performing maintenance on the vessel’s carbon dioxide fire suppression system when it unexpectedly discharged, police said.
   One of the vendor’s employees experienced a medical emergency as a result of the discharge, according to the release.
   Employees of Interlake Logistics Solutions provided first aid and initiated potentially life-saving measures before emergency personnel arrived, police said.
   The individual was transported by LIFE EMS, with assistance from the Ludington Fire Department, to Corewell Health Ludington Hospital for evaluation and treatment. The person’s condition has not been released.
   The Ludington Police Department is working with Interlake Logistics Solutions to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
   Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Jake Miller at 231-843-2435 or miller209@ci.ludington.mi.us

 

Ferry service to Sugar Island suspended until further notice

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – Due to thick, dense ice collecting on the Sugar Island ferry route across the St. Marys River, Capt. Greg Gorsuch made the decision Tuesday morning to shut down ferry service until further notice.

“We have made the decision to shut down until further notice,” he posted on social media. “This was a hard decision to make, but if we keep running through this, it’s not a matter of if something will break, but when. After the cutter starts working the ice this morning, it may create opportunities to attempt a run or 2. We will try keeping you all informed the best we can as for when we may make runs.”

USCG cutter Biscayne Bay is expected to work the ice downstream Tuesday to try and get it moving. The tanker Algonova is unloading at the Purvis Dock.

Soo Leader

The ice cover on Lake Erie is declining

    ERIE, PA – On Feb. 25, data from the U.S. National Ice Center, the provider of global to tactical scale ice and snow products, ice forecasting, and other environmental intelligence services for the United States government, shows that the ice on Lake Erie has decreased to 70%.
   In January, National Ice Center data showed that the majority of Lake Erie was completely frozen with nine-tenths (90-100%) in total ice concentration. See graphic in the gallery below.
   This decrease has resulted in open water along the western and southern shores of the western basin of Lake Erie as well as the eastern end of the Lake Erie islands.
   Jonathan Edwards-Opperman, scientist with the National Ice Center, says that westerly winds have pushed the ice pack on the lake more east, compressing ice into the eastern basin of Lake Erie.
   “Approximately the eastern two thirds of the lake is still nearly fully covered,” Edwards-Opperman said. “The thickest ice is in this main ice pack especially in areas where the ice has been compressing into the shore, in the easternmost portion of the lake and south of Long Point.”
   Expect visible changes in ice on Lake Erie
   In the short term, Edwards-Opperman expects to see some visible changes in the total ice coverage on Lake Erie.
   “The upcoming cold temperatures overnight on Feb. 26 and March 1 will allow the open water areas to quickly freeze with new and very thin ice,” Edwards-Opperman said.
   Edwards-Opperman predicts the newly formed ice over the week and next week will be very thin, thus it will melt quicker on relatively warmer days. The new ice could also be destroyed if conditions become windy.
   Out of all the Great Lakes, a graphic provided by the U.S. National Ice Center shows that Lake Erie remains the most ice concentrated Great Lake.
   A majority of Lake Erie according to the graphic is nine to ten tenths covered. The graphic shows that a large percentage of the lake has fallen to one to three tenths of ice concentration. Lake Erie is shown as having little open water, unlike the other Great Lakes which show large ice-free areas. A majority of Lake Michigan has open water.

[Erie Times-News]

Door County Maritime Museum Speaker Series-March 5

The next presentation of the Door County Medical Center Maritime Speaker Series will be held both in person and online on Thursday, March 5 at 7pm, featuring Christy Corp’s Last Stand, by presenter Brennan Christianson, Collections Manager at the Door County Maritime Museum.
   Christy Corporation is well known in Door County for the construction of magnificent ships such as the Spartan and Badger. They saw great financial success from the founding in the late 1940s through the 1950s. By the 1960s, however, they faced a difficult decision. The shipyard started to lose money, requiring Christy Corp. to either change its business strategy or risk going bankrupt. Over the next decade, several large contracts were taken on, yet all was not well.
   The construction of one of these vessels, the USCGC Active, resulted in delays, miscommunication, and disputes, which resulted in the United States Coast Guard being sued and the selling of Christy Corp. Join Brennan Christianson, DCMM Collections Coordinator, as he discusses the last stand of Christy Corp.​​​​​​​
   The Door County Medical Center Maritime Speaker Series programs are held the first Thursday of each month, October through April, beginning at 7pm, on the second floor of the Museum in Sturgeon Bay, as well as online. There is no cost to attend; we suggest bringing a donation of a non-perishable food item, or if watching online, we ask you to donate to your local food pantry.

 

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