February 1997 News Archive

Escanaba ready to load

02/28/1997:
the Escanaba Ore Dock is expecting to load the Barge Joseph H.Thompson on March 9, the bubble system around the ore docks has been activited, and fisherman have been warned.

Reported by: Jim Grill

Great Lakes Maritime Industry And Customers Oppose Icebreaking User Charges

02/27:
Lake Carriers’ Association, the American Iron and Steel Institute, American Great Lakes Ports and the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force have sent a joint letter to Great Lakes Senators and members of the House opposing the Clinton Administration’s proposal to implement a user charge for icebreaking starting in FY1999. The proposed fee would generate $25 million a year. The letter, dated February 25, follows:Dear Senator/Dear Representative:

We are writing to express our firm opposition to a provision in President Clinton’s FY1998 Budget to develop and implement a “fee-for-service” for icebreaking performed by the U.S. Coast Guard on the Great Lakes by FY1999. This ill-conceived proposal must be immediately rejected as both bad for the Great Lakes and national economies and a major reversal of long-standing U.S. government policy.

Without Coast Guard icebreaking, the Great Lakes shipping industry would be so reduced in scope that it would become a “used to be” in the nation’s transportation system. The ice season can begin in early December and generally lasts until early or mid-April. (In 1996, the Coast Guard continued “ice ops” on Lake Superior until May 17.) Every facet of Great Lakes shipping is affected by Coast Guard icebreaking – the domestic trades, imports and exports to and from Canada, and overseas cargos via the St. Lawrence Seaway. In recent years, these trades have approached 200 million tons.

In the past three years, U.S.-Flag vessels have carried approximately 46 million tons of cargo during the ice season. Iron ore for the steel industry predominates that total. Had these cargos gone undelivered, Great Lakes basin steel mills would have faced shutdowns and lay-offs when their stockpiles were exhausted. Millions of tons of coal, stone, cement, grain and general cargo also moved to and from Canada and overseas during periods of ice.

Government-funded icebreaking is not “corporate welfare.” The American steel industry, the iron ore mining industry in Minnesota and Michigan, and U.S.-Flag Great Lakes carriers collectively pay more than $1 billion a year in corporate taxes to the Federal Treasury. Their employees (140,000 strong) are likewise major contributors to the Federal Treasury. It is blatantly unfair for these industries and citizens to be asked to bear an even greater share of the Federal budget.

Furthermore, the Coast Guard provides a variety of services to commercial navigation, recreational boaters and the fishing industry throughout the United States. However, the Administration’s budget singles out domestic icebreaking – a service provided almost entirely on the Great Lakes – for user fees. In fact, there are no other user fee proposals contained in the Coast Guard budget. The proposal is blatantly unfair in that it asks our region and its industries to pay for Coast Guard services, while no effort is made to recover costs for services provided on the East Coast, West Coast, Gulf of Mexico or other regions.

We urge you to communicate your strong opposition to user charges for Coast Guard icebreaking to Secretary of Transportation Slater and Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Kramek by contacting Minnesota Congressman James Oberstar and signing the attachedletter.

Sincerely,

American Great Lakes Ports
American Iron and Steel Institute
Great Lakes Maritime Task Force
Lake Carriers’ Association

Reported by: the Lake Carriers Association

Visit the LCA’s home page for complete details

Salt Trade Tops 8 Million Tons In 1996

02/27:
Shipments of salt from U.S. and Canadian Great Lakes ports totaled 8.1 million tons in 1996, an increase of 20.6 percent compared to 1995. Given the very limited number of salt producers, further analysis is not possible without divulging confidential information.

Reported by: the Lake Carriers Association

Visit the LCA’s home page for complete details

Public meeting on pilotage in Cleveland Update

02/26:
St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. will hold a public meeting in Cleveland at 10:00 A.M. March 11, 1997 at the Sheraton Airport Hotel. The purpose of the meeting is to seek ideas on how to improve U.S. Great Lakes pilotage. In particular, comments will be sought in the areas of efficiency, reliability and safety.

Reported by: Steve Schultz

From the weekly electronic publication “The World Maritime News”

St. Lawrence Seaway opening

02/25:
Canada and the United States plan to open the St. Lawrence Seaway to vessels on 2 April. However, there may be restrictions. If water levels in Lake Ontario remain high on that date, vessel transits will be restricted to daylight only. Heavy precipitation since October has caused higher than usual levels.

Reported by: Steve Schultz

From the weekly electronic publication “The World Maritime News”

“Big 3” Trades Up in 1996

02/25:
Shipments of iron ore, coal and stone on the Great Lakes in 1996 totaled 141,168,971 net tons, an increase of more than 3 million tons compared to 1995. These three cargos represent the major commodities moving on the Great Lakes in the domestic and cross-Lakes trades.Iron ore shipments topped 71 million tons for the first time since the recession of the early- and mid-1980s. Compared to 1995, the ore trade increased roughly one percent.

Thanks in large part to increased demand from utilities in Canada and the United States, coal shipments rose 1.9 million tons to 34.8 million net tons.

The Lakes stone trade increased 1.5 percent to 35.1 million tons.

In assessing the 1996 shipping season, credit must again be given to the icebreaking crews of the Ninth District Coast Guard. The USCG Cutter MACKINAW and other Coast Guard icebreakers played an instrumental role in getting commerce moving in March and April of last year. Without the Coast Guard’s assistance, the season-end totals would much lower.

Reported by: the Lake Carriers Association

Visit the LCA’s home page for complete details

Grain elevators to be dismantled

02/24:
The Seaway Port Authority of Duluth has awarded a $1 million contract to a Duluth firm to dismantle two grain elevators on the city’s waterfront.Isle Engineering Inc. will dismantle the former Cargill C and D elevators, which have been idle for many years. Cargill D was built in 1900 and C in 1923. The port authority acquired the structures in 1989.

Both elevators occupy land that is separated from the port authority’s terminal by a loading slip. Once the structures are razed, the port authority plans to prepare the site for use as a bulk cargo facility by June 1999.

The waterfront on Duluth’s inner harbor was once packed with grain elevators and coal docks. Three elevators remain – General Mills, Cargil and AGP. One vacant dock – dubbed Dakota Pier – was obtained several years ago by the port authority and eventually turned into the Northland Constructors Dock. This site is now an asphalt recycling facility that receives roughly a dozen stone cargoes a year.

Reported by: Al Miller

U.S. Coast Guard orders more buoy tenders

02/24:
The U.S. Coast Guard announced 20 Feb. that Marinette Marine Corp. has been awarded a contract for six Ida Lewis-class Coastal Buoy Tenders at a cost of about U.S.$73 million. Construction will begin this year with delivery in 1999 and 2000. With this order, a total of 10 such vessels have been or will be built. Another four are planned.

Reported by: Steve Schultz

From the weekly electronic publication “The World Maritime News”

Ryerson in the rumor mill

02/19:
Rumor mill has Inland Steel’s Edward L. Ryerson coming out of long term lay-up this spring. They plan to use her as is for a year or two then convert it to a self-unloader next year or the year after.The Ryerson has been in long term lay-up since January 24,1994 at Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay.
This is a RUMOR that has not been confirmed

Reported by:

Tug/barge combo damaged

02/19:
The tanker barge Great Lakes, pushed by the tug Michigan was damaged when the combination “nudged” the EJ&E and Canal Street Bridge In Indiana Harbor. Minor hull fractures on the startboard side ballast tanks were discovered as the unit was approaching Grand Traverse Bay. These cracks caused the barge to take on water which was handled by the on board tanks.The unit will have permanet repairs made in Chicago.

Reported by: Rken

Port of Goderich re-cap

02/18:
The CANADIAN OLYMPIC departed February 1st ending the 1996-1997 shipping season at the Port of Goderich. The first ship to arrive was the JOHN B. AIRD, he loaded salt on March 27, 1996. Since then, 171 ships have loaded salt, 32 grain boats visited the elevators, 4 barges delivered liquid calcium and 2 visits by the passenger ship NANTUCKET CLIPPER. Numerous visits were made by the Canadian Coast Guard ships, SAMUEL RISLEY AND GRIFFON.The first ship for the 1997 season is expected mid to late March.

Reported by: Philip Nash

New pilot rates update

02/17:
As of 1 March, new pilotage rates will take effect on the U.S. Great Lakes. Rate increases of eight percent to 19 percent will be implemented in the three districts, affecting 38 pilots. The new rates are lower than those proposed by the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp., and were calculated using a new method of the U.S. Department of Transportation. To calculate pilot rates, Great Lakes masters were assumed to earn an average of U.S.$131,213 annually, comprised on U.S.$116,767 in wages and U.S.$14,446 in benefits. First mates were assumed to receive an average wage of U.S.$92,290. Using these figures, the average weighted increase on District 1 is eight percent, including nine percent on the St. Lawrence River and six percent on Lake Ontario. District 2 will increase an average of 19 percent, with no increase on Lake Erie but 31 percent on the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers. District 3 will see a six percent increase overall, with seven percent on Lake Huron, six percent on Lake Michigan and four percent each on Lake Superior and the St. Marys River. The new rates stemmed from the first full Great Lakes pilotage review since 1987. In addition to the new rates, it will also be mandated that pilotage rates be reviewed at least once a year.

Reported by: Steve Schultz

From the weekly electronic publication “The World Maritime News”

More on the Halcyon

02/17:
The Muskegon Cronical implied in a story published 2/9/97 stated that the Halcyon had sea water in her after she was raised. They also implied that the core of engineers knew about the many problems and that one marine engineer told them it was a wonder the boat didn’t sink before she did. The boat was not built to original specifications and sat some 3 feet lower in the water than original specs called for, makeing it unstable in heavy seas.

Reported by: Bob Wheelock

Visit the Grand Haven Port Report’s News section for a picture of the vessel

Tanker Gemini running

02/13:
The tanker GEMINI was spotted upbound in Lake St. Clair yesterday Feb. 12 with the Canadain Coast Guard icebreaker SAMUEL RISELY for an escort.

Reported by: Andrew Severson

Canadian Olympic in lay-up

02/12:
The Canadian Olympic arrived at Nanticoke at 0800 hours on Friday February 7, 1997 under escort of the Samuel Risley. The Olympic is tied up at the west dock at Ontario Hydro Nanticoke Generating Station.

Reported by: Dave Otterman

Ore boat wanted

02/11:
The Marquette Underwater Preserve is looking for an ore boat or other Great Lakes vessel (should be linked to the iron mining industry) to clean and sink within Preserve boundries. The Vessel will become a historic diving attraction, drawing attention for our community. Vessel can be recieved as a non-profit donation, allowing donator to write off value of ship. For more information, please contact Kurt Fosburg @ 906-475-5101 or Rob Schmitt @ Diver Down Scuba, 906-225-1699. Any assistance, including possible leads, would be greatly appreciated.

Reported by: Kurt Fosburg

Record Lay-Up at Bay Ship

02/10:
According to Great Lakes/Seaway Log, Bay Shipbuilding Co. in Sturgeon Bay,Wisconsin has its largest winter lay-up fleet ever. Eighteen vessels are tied up in Sturgeon Bay. So many are there at the PRESQUE ISLE is being tied up in the inactive Peterson Shipbuilders yard. The large number of ships means up to 300 jobs.

Reported by: Jim Zeirke

Socanav formally bankrupt

02/08:
Socanav Inc. has been formally declared bankrupt, after its bankruptcy trustee, KPMG, announced that a buyer had not been found. In addition, Socanav failed to present a restructuring proposal by 31 Jan. The date was the end of a third extension granted to Socanav by the Quebec (Canada) Superior Court. Socanav has debts of C$15 million to C$17 million. Its four remaining vessels will be sold, but how and when it will be accomplished is at the discretion of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. The bank is owed C$10 million, with the rest of the debts owed to 700 creditors, ranging from crews to ports on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway. Unsecured creditors will meet 6 March. The four remaining ships, owned and/or operated by Socanav, are the Le Chene No. 1 (Canadian-registry 5,065-gt, 7,809-dwt, 3,451-nt tanker built in 1961 at Marine Industries Ltd., Sorel, Quebec); the L’Orme No. 1 (Canadian-registry 5,890-gt, 9,178-dwt, 4,109-nt tanker built in 1974 at Marine Industries); the Le Saule No. 1 (Canadian-registry 5,114-gt, 7,175-dwt, 3,382-nt tanker built in 1970 at Marine Industries); and the W.M. Vacy Ash (Canadian-registry 5,725-gt, 8,697-dwt, 4,342-nt tanker built in 1969 at Marine Industries). All are iced in at Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and the estimated value of all four is C$8.5 million. The four were to be sold to Gorse Down Canada, but that deal collapsed in October under questions from regulators. Socanav and Gorse Down Canada shared offices and for six months had the same president.

Reported by: Steve Schultz

From the weekly electronic publication “The World Maritime News”

Ada Gorthon aground in Seaway

02/07:
The Ada Gorthon (Swedish-registry 13,525-gt, 10,565-dwt ro/ro built in 1984, operated by Gorthon Lines) ran aground in the St. Lawrence Seaway on 5 Feb. near Pointe-au-Pic, Quebec, Canada. Heavy ice was reported in the area. The ship was sailing to Pointe-au-Pic with paper, and suffered damage to a tank. The Ada Gorthon was later escorted to Quebec.

Reported by: Steve Schultz

From the weekly electronic publication “The World Maritime News”

CANADIAN OYLMPIC calls it a season

02/06:
The CANADIAN OYLMPIC departed the Atwater dock in Detriot this morning (2-6) bound for Nanticoke Ont. for winter lay-up.

Reported by: Andrew Severson and Dave Marcoux

Repairs to the Aerial Lift bridge

02/05:
Repairs will be started on the Aerial Bridge in Duluth this week. On Wednesday or Thursday, the bridge will be jacked up about a foot in order to relieve the tension on the cables around the pulleys. Makeshift asphalt ramps will be placed to allow traffic to cross without having to hit the one-foot difference in height. This same procedure was done last winter when the northeast pulley was moved back into place (it had started to slide and would likely have become stuck sometime last year had the repair not been made). This winter’s work includes more pulley and shaft work. The bridge will be closed to any vessel traffic until sometime early in March.

Reported by: Jody Aho

Float on Lakes Reaches New Post-Recession Peak in 1996

02/05:
U.S.-Flag carriers moved more than 117 million net tons of dry- and liquid-bulk cargo during the recently completed 1996 Great Lakes shipping season, a new record for the post-recession era. The previous peak was 115 million tons in 1994.Iron ore cargos moved in Jones Act lakers totaled 60.6 million tons in 1996, the highest level since 1988. The Lorain/Cleveland iron ore shuttle reached it highest ever – 6.7 million tons. The Lorain/Cleveland shuttle dates from the early 1980s.

Stone cargos in U.S. bottoms totaled 27 million tons, the most since LCA begain its survey of U.S.-Flag carriage in 1985.

The cement trade in U.S.-Flag vessels also set a new record – 3.8 million tons.

Two commodities registered decreases in 1996. Coal cargos declined slightly from 1995. Grain loadings fell to their lowest level since 1988. High grain prices prompted millers to switch to the spot market in 1996 and thus increase their usage of rail deliveries.

Reported by: the Lake Carriers Association

Visit the LCA’s home page for complete details

More on the Mauthe conversion

02/05:
The conversion calls for the entire aft to be cut off, including living quarters and removal of the engines. The tug (unknow at this time) will then fit into a steel notch. Last week crews were removing asbestos from the vessel.In related news: this years lay-up fleet at Bay Shipbuilding is the largest ever – 18 vessels, the old record was 15 during the 94/95 lay-up

Reported by: Norm Becker

See the lay-up list for more details

Tug Atomic breaking ice in Kingston

02/05:
Feb 3 the tug Atomic departed Hamilton enroute to Kingston to break ice for the Kingston ferries. She had been called in after the ferries started to have trouble working in heavy ice. One ferry had already sustained prop damage. The tug was requested a couple days earlier but had to wait on the Burlington Bridge to leave Hamilton.The Atomic has quite an extensive history of Ice- Breaking from years past but this is her first foray since McKeil’s bought and repowered her.

Reported by:

Tug John Spence Still Working

02/05:
The Spence And MacAsphalt 401are still plying there trade between Sarnia and Lake Erie Ports. She will be going on hire to Pembina in a couple days as there is no other vessels available to serve as a dive/work platform in the heavy ice in Lake Erie

Reported by:

Canadian Olympic continues to run

02/03:
The Upper Lakes vessel Canadian Olympic was in Goderich yesterday (Feb. 2) for what appears to be one more shipment of salt for this season. Also in harbor was the C.C.G.S. Samuel Risley, to assist her in the ice. The Canadian Olympic continues to work overtime in the salt trade this late in the season. On her last trip into Goderich for salt (January 23) she was accompanied by the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker Mackinaw (WAGB-83)

Reported by: Mike Gibson

ULS changes name

02/02:
Name Change: ULS Corporation Becomes Upper Lakes Group Inc.Ottawa, January 23, 1997 – ULS Corporation has become Upper Lakes Group Inc., effective January 1, 1997, and all correspondence should be addressed accordingly, the company advises.

Reported by: Canadian Shipowners Association

Barge refit in Milwaukee

02/01/1997:
The City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District will spend U.S.$55,000 to refit a city barge to clean the Milwaukee River this summer. About U.S.$20,000 will be spent on skimming equipment and outboard engines and the rest will be spent on operating the barge. The city’s share must be approved by the Common Council. Eventually, the barge will be replaced by a new, dedicated vessel.

Reported by: Steve Schultz

From the weekly electronic publication “The World Maritime News”