Ojibway wheelhouse makes final trip

Friday morning the tug Jennifer Anne Fogg, arrived at Port Colborne with an empty barge. She tied up at Marine Recycling and loaded up the wheelhouse from the Ojibway, the Lucien-L bridge and some other ship houses. AIS Sunday morning showed her destination as Beaver Island, MI. The Ojibway wheelhouse will eventually be placed on land at Beaver Island. It is not known where the other items will wind up.

The tug Jennifer Anne Fogg was built in Florida in 1955 for the US Army. She spent time in service in England and then returned to the US in the 1990s. In 2003 she was bought by a private owner and in 2007 was sold to St. James Marine who brought her to the Great Lakes and named her Wendy Anne, after the owner’s wife. She was renamed to Jennifer Anne Fogg this year.

Brad Wood

LOOKBACK: Summer 1959 collision sank saltie Monrovia near Thunder Bay Island

ALPENA, MI – In April 1959, the St. Lawrence Seaway officially opened. That 370-mile project consisted of rivers, lakes, locks, and canals connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. One of the early international ships utilizing the waterway was the SS Monrovia.

The nearly 448-foot ocean vessel, registered in Liberia, was transporting a cargo of sheet and bar steel from Antwerp, Belgium to Chicago, Illinois and Duluth, Minnesota. The ship had a crew of 29, mostly of Greek heritage.

Downbound on Lake Huron was the Canadian bulk freighter SS Royalton. The 530-foot vessel was enroute from Duluth to Montreal, Quebec. The ship was loaded with 10,670 tons of grain.

On June 25, 1959, a collision between those two ships occurred 13 miles off Thunder Bay Island. The Monrovia is attributed being the first ocean vessel to sink in the Great Lakes related to the recently opened Seaway.

The USCG report noted the Monrovia’s master remained on the bridge after disembarking the Canadian pilot at the Lake Huron Lightship. As both ships neared Thunder Bay, an extremely dense fog set in. Traditionally, it was to be a starboard-to-starboard passing at least a mile apart between the two ships.

The Royalton executed several radio communications to the unknown saltwater vessel. No response was returned. The downbound Royalton also began a frequent series of foghorn alerts. In the dense fog, the Monrovia underwent course changes and lowered its speed.

As it neared 2 p.m., the ships were now 400 feet apart. Both shipmasters attempted to change speed and course, be dead in the water, or shift engine to astern. It was too late. The Royalton’s bow sliced into the Monrovia’s port side.

The Royalton ceased being underway and lost sight of the Monrovia. Nearly 20 minutes after the collision, the steamer Norman W. Foy was at the scene. By 3 p.m., the Monrovia’s 29 officers and crew were safely onboard the Foy.

The USCG Report stated the Monrovia’s master ordered the assistant engineer and select other crewmembers to investigate if the ship’s propulsion area was operational and the hull’s integrity safe. They could not verify either and then claimed their personal effects. The Monrovia was doomed to sink.

Just after the midnight hour, the Monrovia sank into Lake Huron at 140 feet.

Most of the vessel remained intact and laid upright on the lake’s bottom. An account from the Foy stated the Monrovia’s crew viewed the ship’s sinking on radar.

The USCG report stated that the Monrovia’s master and radio operator were not fluent in the English language. In addition, that was the Monrovia crew’s first Great Lakes voyage. The Monrovia did not have radar, nor a lookout placed at the ship’s bow. The Monrovia’s crew did not conduct any lifeboat drills.

Read the full story and see photos here: https://www.thealpenanews.com/news/local-news/2021/07/summer-1959-collision-sinks-monrovia-near-thunder-bay-island/

More images in today’s Day in History

Cruise line ends tours stopping in Escanaba

ESCANABA, MI –  Just over a month after the first American Queen Voyages cruise ship made the voyage to Escanaba, the company has announced it will end Great Lakes cruises after this season.

“Our plan in 2019 when we purchased Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager was to operate them on a 12-month schedule, but the extended off-season operational costs outweigh the benefits to achieve our overall business success,” Gary Gerbino, director of public relations for American Queen Voyages told the Daily Press Friday.

According to Gerbino, American Queen Voyages was founded 12 years ago and specializes in paddle-wheel riverboats on seven American rivers. The company will be refocusing its efforts on river tours and placing the Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager cruise ships up for sale.

“Market research shows we have the highest repeat rate of all U.S. river offerings and the highest guest intent to return, so we are focusing on our river cruises going forward,” he said

It is unclear if there is any future for Great Lakes cruises to stop in ­Escanaba, as American Queen Voyages does not know who will buy the two ships or where they will operate them.

The first American Queen Voyages cruise ship visited Escanaba on Mother’s Day, May 14. The last ship, the Ocean Navigator, will dock in the city on Monday, Oct. 2.

“All published voyages will be operated through November 2023, and we are committed to our service excellence through the last day of operation,” said Gerbino.

Escanaba Daily Press

Titanic submersible tragedy has a link to Seaway

There is a St. Lawrence Seaway connection to the ill-fated submersible Titan, aboard which five men have been lost on an expeditionary dive to the Titanic. The vessel Polar Prince, which took Titan out to the site and was the attending vessel, is the ex-Canadian Coast Guard Ship Sir Humphrey Gilbert.

CCGS Sir Humphrey Gilbert entered service with the Department of Transport Marine Service in 1959, was transferred to the newly created Canadian Coast Guard in 1962 and was active until 2001. The icebreaker was sold to private interests in Newfoundland and renamed Polar Prince, sitting mostly idle until resold in 2009 to GTX Technology Canada Limited for service in the Arctic Ocean as a commercial icebreaker.

The ship was taken out of service in 2001. In 2002, the icebreaker was sold to Puddister Trading Co. Ltd of St. John’s and renamed Polar Prince. In 2002, the vessel was acquired by Star Line Inc. In 2005, the vessel was laid up and put up for sale by Star Line on eBay. The vessel was later sold to GX Technologies, Calgary, Alberta, in 2009 and was modernized

In 2017, the vessel was temporarily rechristened Canada C3 and used for a high-profile voyage around Canada’s three maritime coasts as part of the nation’s 150th anniversary. During that voyage she made it as far west as Toronto.

In November 2021 the ship was purchased by Miawpukek Horizon Maritime Service Ltd, a joint venture between Horizon Maritime and the Miawpukek First Nation, a company that has trained Indigenous cadets as seafarers for offshore supply vessels.

In June 2023, Polar Prince was chartered by OceanGate Inc. for an OceanGate Titanic Expedition, the scientific and tourist mission to the wreck of the Titanic.

Graham Grattan, Ron Beaupre, Rene Beauchamp, William Lafferty, Wikipedia

Cleveland’s Anthony J. Celebrezze fire boat decommissioning set for next Wednesday

The decommissioning ceremony of the Cleveland Fire Department’s fire boat Anthony J. Celebrezze will be on Wednesday 6/28/23 at 11 AM- 2 PM at Collision Bend Brewing Co., 1520 Old River Road, Cleveland, Ohio. The new fire boat, the Garrett A. Morgan, will be officially placed in service at the same event that is open to the public. The brewery will also be releasing a summer brew named “Aft the Brezze” to commemorate the event.

The Celebrezze, built in 1961, has been used as base for the dive team, river firefighting operations and to supply water to companies operating on the shoreline. It also patrols the Cuyahoga in winter months to break ice in the river and harbor.

Anthony Joseph Celebrezze Sr. was an American politician of the Democratic party, who served as the 49th mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, as a cabinet member in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, and as a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Ocean Navigator, Ocean Voyager to be sold as American Queen exits lakes market

In what it called a strategic decision to refocus its business, American Queen Voyages, part of Hornblower Group, has announced a series of deployment changes and updates set to start in early 2024 and extend into 2025.

The company also confirmed it would sell the Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager and will not return to the Great Lakes in 2024.

“Our primary commitment is to deliver a best-in-class cruise vacation with a focus on immersive culinary and destination experiences,” said Cindy D’Aoust, president of American Queen Voyages.

“Our customers consistently tell us our U.S. River itineraries are exceptional and demonstrate this by returning again and again,” she continued.

“All of our focus is being put into updating and enhancing our popular river product with strategic partnerships and an elevated culinary program, which we know have been very well received,” added D’Aoust.

Cruise Industry News

Algoma Steel’s electric arc furnace project well underway

Building permits to date value $150 million and the project has infused $47.7 million into the community as of the end of last year, said Michael Garcia, CEO of Algoma Steel. Updated figures will be presented later this week when quarterly results are announced.

The melt shop building, 165 feet tall and 1024 feet wide, is well underway and will be 25,000 square feet, becoming “the newest landmark” on Sault Ste. Marie’s skyline.

A Fume Treatment Plant is also underway and is one of three environmental controls that will be part of the project. A water treatment plant and special engineered furnace enclosures will also be included to reduce sound, sparks or dust particles, he told council.

It’s expected that by mid 2024 a commission ramp up will occur, creating a hybrid mode of steelmaking, Garcia said.

At some time after 2026, the full electric arc furnace making processes will be operational, resulting in the phase out of the blast furnace.

The transition will take several years to complete, arcing one furnace at a time with about 30 per cent hot metal charge from the No. 7 Blast Furnace, which will operate at reduced output.

The second phase will see both electric arc furnaces operational with 100 per cent cold charge, including obsolete and prime scrap with an option for addition of alternate iron units. It will be fully powered by the Ontario grid and onsite power generation will not be required.

Algoma Steel, with its 2,800 employees, says the new processes will eliminate some jobs – but the exact number is not yet known.

What is known, is that job number reduction will occur over several years from the time of the initial start up of the electric arc furnace through to the end of the process, as far away as 2029.

In the meantime, Garcia says the company has notified potential employees of job losses and is working them to reintegrate them into the company, some through apprenticeship programs.

“A fair number of apprentices we have is coming from our own employee base,” he told media following his presentation to city council. “That includes current employees, who in the future, may be impacted by the electric arc furnace transformation and they’re transitioning to an apprentice so they can qualify as a tradesperson in the company at the end of that program.”

Garcia said there is also some retraining money available from higher levels of government and talks are ongoing with the unions to help mitigate the impact of employees through the transition.

The move means that Algoma Steel will be the first integrated steel producer in North America transitioned to electric arc steelmaking, creating a competitive platform for growth.

It also means reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70 per cent, the largest targeted emission reduction project in Canada right now, Garcia said.

When paired with Ontario’s low-carbon power grid, the project will make Algoma Steel the leading producer of green steel in Canada and among the top suppliers in North America.

Garcia said so far, the budget is on time, and on budget, as of the end of 2022.

The steelmaker is now in the final stage of its $135 million plate mill modernization project, increasing capacity and delivering a better product.

The latest fiscal update will be provided after markets close on Wednesday and a presentation will be made Thursday.

Garcia said so far, the budget is on time, and on budget.

With high inflation rates, Algoma Steel said steel prices were steadily raising from November 2022 until about four weeks ago, when the price of hot rolled coil began to move down moderately, he told reporters after the formal presentation.

“The pricing is still significantly higher than it was in October or November of last year when it kind of reached the bottom. Before that it reached a peak in March of last year, when the Russian invasion of Ukraine happened,” he said.

Garcia said he doesn’t have a crystal ball and can’t predict where the pricing will go, but said the company needs to keep control of the things it can, including productivity and cost control and ensure its pricing is successful during the different market cycles.

The Sault Star

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With an uncertain future ahead of her, Ocean Navigator heads upbound for the Soo in the St. Marys River. Roger LeLievre image (St. Marys River – June 20)

Algoma Central Corporation fuels domestic product tanker business with $127-million newbuild investment in partnership with Irving Oil

St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada (June 19, 2023) – Algoma Central Corporation (“Algoma”) (TSX: ALC), today announced it has placed an order with Hyundai Mipo Shipyard in South Korea to build two 37,000 DWT ice class product tanker vessels for a total investment of $127 million CAD. These new ships will be entered on long-term time charters to Irving Oil under Canadian flag, servicing the energy company’s refinery in Saint John, New Brunswick, with deliveries to ports in Atlantic Canada and the US East Coast.

“Strategically unlocking diversified marine shipping opportunities and new partnerships form fundamental pillars that continue to drive our growth and success,” said Gregg Ruhl, President and CEO of Algoma. “With this investment, we will augment our fleet with a new asset class, expand the markets served by our Product Tankers segment and add an important new Canadian customer to our business. These vessels have been designed to support Irving Oil’s unique operational requirements and with a view towards optimizing the carbon requirements in these trades, now and into the future, possessing optionality for future methanol and shore power capabilities,” concluded Mr. Ruhl.

“We remain committed to providing a safe and secure supply of energy products to our customers,” said Ian Whitcomb, President of Irving Oil. “This investment highlights our company’s continued commitment to sustainable operations and ensuring the security of energy in the regions we operate.”

Delivery of the new vessels is expected during the first quarter of 2025. Upon arrival in Canada, the vessels will be immediately deployed on the agreed time charter.

New vessel highlights:

• Eco-friendly optimized ice class 1B design
• Boston Beam width of 27.4 metres
• Methanol ready as per ABS Notations
• Methanol Fuel Ready Level 3(S), Methanol Fuel Ready Level 2D (TA, ME)
• High voltage and shore power (cold-ironing) ready – ABS Notation HVSC-Ready
• Enhanced ballasting capabilities to optimize operations in the Bay of Fundy

Algoma Central Corporation

Press release image for Algoma’s new $127 million tanker. Algoma Central Corporation image (June 19)

Purchase means glass-bottom-boat will remain at Alpena

Great Lakes shipping down slightly so far this year

Great Lakes shipping is down slightly through the end of May as compared to the same time last year.

Ships have hauled 7.97 million tons of cargo on the Great Lakes and through the St. Lawrence Seaway to ports like the Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor on Lake Michigan and the Port of Chicago on Lake Calumet so far this year, down slightly from the 8.2 million tons shipped during the same period last year, according to the Chamber of Marine Commerce.

“While the ebb and flow of economic fluctuations change the backdrop for trade over time, the constant is that Great Lakes/St. Lawrence shipping is always there to meet the needs of businesses and consumers,” said Bruce Burrows, president and CEO of the Chamber of Marine Commerce. “The enhancements at the Port of Cleveland are exemplary of the efforts of all chamber members to maintain a strong supply chain, and keep marine shipping foremost among all modes of cargo transit when it comes to capacity, reliability, efficiency, and sustainability.”

Iron ore shipments have risen by 9.93% to 1.6 million tons so far this year, according to the Chamber of Marine Commerce. Some ports have been especially busy this shipping season like The Port of Cleveland on Lake Erie, which has seen increased traffic to feed Cleveland-Cliffs.

“The Port of Cleveland has had an outstanding start to the year at our bulk terminal due to strong demand for iron ore from the Cleveland Cliffs steel mill. This again justifies the significant recent investment in the extension of our ore tunnel, which has allowed us to mix ore on demand for delivery to the mill and increased the efficiency of our operation,” said David Gutheil, the chief commercial officer for The Port of Cleveland. “At our general cargo terminal, we completed a two-year project in May, which rebuilt and modernized three of our most used docks and berths,” he added. “Also included in the project was the introduction of a below-ground system to filter and clean stormwater before it is introduced back into Lake Erie. We are now also in the design and planning phase of our next large project at the same terminal. This project will modernize our largest warehouse and introduce systems that will set up this warehouse as the electric hub of our port for the eventual transition from diesel to electric cargo handling equipment.”

The Times of Northwest Indiana

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Glass-bottomed Lady Michigan in her days as a shipwreck tour boat. Alpena Shipwreck Tours image (Alpena, MI – Undated)

Great Lakes Fest Celebrates History with Return of the Toledo Antique and Classic Boat Show

Thursday, June 15, 2023 (Toledo, Ohio) – The National Museum of the Great Lakes and Ramsey Brothers Restoration are proud to announce they are teaming up to host Great Lakes Fest featuring the return of the Toledo Antique and Classic Boat Show this summer on Saturday, July 22.

“From 2007 to 2018 the Toledo Antique & Classic Boat Show grew from a small gathering of enthusiasts to a multi-day extravaganza,” shares Scott Ramsey, of Toledo-based Ramsey Brothers Restorations. “After a couple years hiatus, we look forward to bringing back the show in partnership with the National Museum of the Great Lakes, and we have been excited to see the growing interest in boater registration since it officially opened a few weeks ago.”

In 2019 the Antique and Classic Boat Show took a hiatus from a Toledo-based event and then, in 2020, the pandemic struck, lengthening its pause. In 2022, Ramsey Brothers Restoration supported a smaller showing of boats during an inaugural Great Lakes Fest event hosted by the museum that brought over 400 visitors to its grounds and sparked the return to this summer’s larger show. This year’s event is supported by a new volunteer team co-chaired by Tim Goligoski and Sean Harold.

“Last year’s Great Lakes Fest event was a day-long celebration that provided us with a wonderful opportunity to champion Great Lakes history,” says Kate Fineske, the museum’s Senior Director of Institutional Advancement. “With the grand opening of phase 2 of the Glass City Metropark and more and more individuals recognizing our extraordinary riverfront, there is no better moment than now to bring back the full tradition of the Toledo Antique and Classic Boat Show.”

Great Lakes Fest featuring the Toledo Antique & Classic Boat Show will take place from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on July 22. Tickets to join the day-long Great Lakes Fest celebration are FREE for National Museum of the Great Lakes members and children under 6, and $10 (pre-sale) or $15 (day-of) for all others. Admission includes full access to The National Museum of the Great Lakes and museum vessels, all land and water boat show displays, live demonstrations, maritime vendors, food trucks, family activities and more.

The boat show is open to classic boats of all types, but particularly focused on those built prior to 1975 or modern re-creations. Boater registration is $50 per boat / $25 each additional boat by July 15 or $65 after that deadline and includes two tickets to the boat show and Friday night reception on the Col James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship, as well as a gift bag and official show T-shirt.

For additional event details, to pre-purchase tickets, or to apply to be a Great Lakes Fest Marine Mart vendor, Food Truck or Community Partner visit nmgl.org/GreatLakesFest2023 or call 419-214-5000. For more information on registering a boat visit toledoboatshow.com.

The overall activity established by US Great Lakes-Seaway shipping through the first month of the shipping season continued into May, with iron ore showing especially strong numbers. Iron ore traffic through the system was almost 1.6 million tonnes, an increase of 9.93% from the same period last year.

Overall, approximately 7.97 million tonnes of total cargo traffic have now transited the seaway system for the year to date, which is down slightly but consistent with the 8.2 million tonnes of cargo recorded for the same period in 2022. It should be noted that there has been significant variation in traffic across commodities and across ports, with some ports like The Port of Cleveland being especially busy.

“The Port of Cleveland has had an outstanding start to the year at our bulk terminal due to strong demand for iron ore from the Cleveland Cliffs steel mill.  This again justifies the significant recent investment in the extension of our ore tunnel, which has allowed us to mix ore on demand for delivery to the mill and increased the efficiency of our operation,” said David Gutheil, Chief Commercial Officer for The Port of Cleveland.

“At our general cargo terminal, we completed a 2-year project in May, which rebuilt and modernized three of our most used docks and berths,” he added.  “Also included in the project was the introduction of a below ground system to filter and clean stormwater before it is introduced back into Lake Erie.  We are now also in the design and planning phase of our next large project at the same terminal.  This project will modernize our largest warehouse and introduce systems that will set up this warehouse as the electric hub of our port for the eventual transition from diesel to electric cargo handling equipment.”

“While the ebb and flow of economic fluctuations change the backdrop for trade over time, the constant is that Great Lakes/St. Lawrence shipping is always there to meet the needs of businesses and consumers,” said Bruce Burrows, President and CEO of the Chamber of Marine Commerce. “The enhancements at the Port of Cleveland are exemplary of the efforts of all chamber members to maintain a strong supply chain, and keep marine shipping foremost among all modes of cargo transit when it comes to capacity, reliability, efficiency, and sustainability.”

Chamber of Marine Commerce

Lake Guardian begins annual research survey of Lake Huron

ALPENA — Residents of Alpena may have noticed a large ship docked in the Thunder Bay River by the 2nd Avenue bridge for about a week.

Charlevoix Historical Society hosts shipwreck program on June 28

CHARLEVOIX — In conjunction with its upcoming exhibit “The Maritime History of Charlevoix,” the Charlevoix Historical Society will present the program “Documenting Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes” with special guest speaker Chris Roxburgh at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 28 at the historical society’s train depot, 305 Chicago Ave.

A renowned underwater photographer and author, Roxburgh has gained widespread recognition for his work capturing shipwrecks in the Great Lakes region. His photography and environmental efforts have been featured on local and national news platforms multiple times. He is the author of “Leelanau Underwater,” which showcases the shipwrecks along Lake Michigan’s treacherous Manitou Passage.

In addition to his artistic accomplishments, Roxburgh is actively working to raise awareness about the growing problem of plastics pollution in the Great Lakes.

Roxburgh’s underwater photography of the notorious Prohibition-era party boat “Keuka,” which sank half a mile east of Charlevoix’s Ferry Beach in 1932, will be featured in the society’s new exhibit, which opens in July.

The program will be presented at no charge, but contributions in support of the Charlevoix Historical Society are always appreciated. For more information, call (231) 547-0373.

The Petoskey News-Review

New Lock at the Soo project continues in second phase

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have reported that the New Lock at the Soo project remains on schedule.

Major construction on the project is continuing with phases 2 and 3 this season with joint ventures Kokosing-Alberici, and Kokosing, Alberici, Traylor.

“Since resuming major construction this season, the Phase 2 contractor has placed 13 concrete caps, bringing the total caps placed to 68 and preparation for placement of new steel sheets, steel posts and concrete panel wall are in progress,” New Lock Senior Project Manager Mollie Mahoney said. “The Phase 3 contractor plans to focus on demolition of aging structures, extensive electrical work, bridge construction and coffer dam construction to allow for dewatering.”

Phase 3 excavation work will include blasting activities, which will be communicated with stakeholders as blasting activities get closer.

“Beginning May 30, the Hydro Plant tailrace closed to recreational boaters. The normal schedule for the tailrace is: closed Mondays at 6 a.m. through Saturdays at 6 p.m. and open Saturdays at 6 p.m. through Mondays at 6 a.m.,” New Lock Chief Mick Awbrey said. “The closure is necessary to ensure the safety of all boaters and marine construction workers as large barges, cranes and construction boats will be working in the area.”

Phase 1 included deepening the upstream approach to the New Lock from 24 feet to 30 feet deep so modern vessels can approach the New Lock at the Soo. Army Corps of Engineers officials said this phase concluded in August 2022, under budget and ahead of schedule.

Phase 2 includes rehabilitating the upstream approach walls to stabilize the existing approach walls allowing modern vessels to tie up and wait their turn to pass through the New Lock at the Soo. The estimated completion date for Phase 2 is summer 2024.

Phase 3 includes demolishing the existing Sabin Lock, excavation of bedrock, constructing the New Lock at the Soo chamber walls and floor, fabrication and installation of miter gates, installation of mechanical and electrical systems, installation of the innovative hands-free mooring system, rehabilitating downstream approach walls and constructing a new pump well. The estimated completion date for Phase 3 is summer 2030.

“The Detroit District is pleased to continue work with both joint venture contractors on Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the New Lock at the Soo,” said Lt. Col. Brett Boyle, Detroit District Commander. “We recently had a partnering meeting with Phase 2 and 3 contractors and are confident this project will continue safely and on time.”

Sault News

Budweiser Clydesdales get their sea legs on ferry Badger

LUDINGTON, MI –  The Budweiser Clydesdales just wrapped up a week of appearances and events in Northern Michigan. Their visit to Michigan coincided with the Love Ludington Weekend, an annual festival in Ludington from June 9th through 11th.

This year’s festivities also included celebrating the city’s 150th anniversary. The eight-horse Clydesdale hitch paraded through downtown Ludington for ceremonial beer deliveries to customers and also stuck around after for public viewing and photos.

Their visit to Michigan ended as they boarded the SS Badger during its 70th season of making the journey back and forth between Michigan and Wisconsin. The Badger’s Director of Marketing and Sales, Shelby Soberalskai explained that the horses travel via semi-truck.

“For lack of better terms, it’s very comparable to a lot of the loads that we already carry,” Soberalskai explained. “Their crew actually backs the trucks on board with our crew assisting them.”

The Clydesdales team consists of ten horses, while eight of them will be hitched at a time. The ten horses are transported using three separate semi-trucks.

Soberalskai said the Badger is the only ferry that can carry a large load like that across the lake. She also described the process of backing the trucks onto the ship, saying it included making sure all passengers were accounted for and in the end only took around ten minutes since the Budweiser team has a “well-oiled operation” that she said worked very well with theirs.

Soberalskai also said that this is the second time the Clydesdales have sailed aboard the Badger. “It was a special treat for our crew and our passengers that they sailed with us in 2012. And so it was awesome to have them sail with us again, that we hope they’ll sail with us again in the future,” she said.

Read more and see photos here: https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/lakeshore/budweiser-clydesdales-ss-badger-ludington/69-66690eb3-49b4-49f5-85ba-a1517231528b?fbclid=IwAR2zs9V-Zg4YHEvW4If21OCTtc5jzNHsPcJYgefznc9IC0P3eooKomCkPZs

Obituary: Capt. Ron Brezinski

Veteran Great Lakes captain Ronald “Ski” Brezinski died June 10. Brezinski was a third-generation sailor on his dad’s side and a second-generation sailor on his mother’s side. His uncle on his father’s side of the family was first mate on the carferry Pere Marquette 18 when it sank in 1910. Still, Brezinski liked the idea of sailing, and shipped out as a deckhand in 1973, catching the Inland Steel steamer Clarence B. Randall. By the time he left the Randall three years later, he had earned his able-seaman’s ticket and was working as a wheelsman. For the next four years, he sailed on many of the Inland steamers, including the E.J. Block, L.E. Block and the Wilfred Sykes. In 1978, Brezinski wrote for his third mate license, first sailing aboard the Joseph L. Block.

Eventually earning his master’s license, he sailed as relief captain on the Edward L. Ryerson in 1993 before being appoint permanent master of Wilfred Sykes the next year. During his years as captain, he proved a patient teacher and mentored many of the next generation of sailors, many of whom eventually became captains and pilots. He retired from Inland in April 2005, but found that retirement was not for him, so the next year he went back to the lakes as relief captain on the World War II-era vessel Manistee. Health issues forced him to retire for good in 2013.

A long-time member of the fraternal International Shipmasters’ Association, he served as Grand Lodge president in 2006. Read more in the image gallery.

Ludington celebrates 70 Years of SS Badger

LUDINGTON, MI – Ludington’s Maritime Heritage Park was filled with Ludington residents and tourists on Saturday to celebrate the Badger’s 70th birthday. The Badger Birthday Bash included face painting, live music, yard games, and cake to honor the ship’s 70 years of service.

Guests brought their own lawn chairs and enjoyed the performance by local band Road Less Traveled, who even took song requests from the audience. Band members Daniel Mahynski, Mike Lenich, Carleen Shinn, and Deb Chase performed in the park’s pavilion, which was decorated with balloons and banners for the occasion.

Face painting for the celebration was done by Rachael Reed, who works as a bartender on the Badger. Reed expressed gratitude to the organizers for asking her to do the event, despite being fairly new to the art form. Her first time face painting was as recent as last month’s Memorial Day, she explained, calling it her “hidden talent.”

Her skills proved to be in demand as a line of children and adults alike, eager to get a portrait of the Badger painted on their cheeks, gathered at her table throughout the evening.

“People enjoy getting out and seeing other people… Especially when the weather turns nice,” said attendee Dave Bowden, whose daughter and grandchildren came up from Ohio for the Badger Birthday Bash and other festivities.

Ludington’s 150th Anniversary coincided with the Badger’s birthday, making the party one of many events that kicked off the summer season in Ludington this weekend.

The celebration also doubled as a fundraiser for the Lakeshore Child Advocacy Center, which was accepting donations of water, fidget toys, toiletries, and more. Guests who brought donations were entered into a drawing to win round trip tickets on the Badger.

“Their goals are to provide hope, healing, and justice for survivors of abuse,” said former Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Spaniola in a speech on behalf of the advocacy center. The resources collected from the event will go directly to helping children in the community who have been victims of abuse.

The gathering to celebrate the Badger, which has been a beloved pillar of the community for 70 years, brought together many tourists and locals to admire the ship’s considerable history and support the Lakeshore Child Advocacy Center.

Steve Broc, a returning visitor to Ludington, stated, “(It’s) worthy of a big celebration. Ludington’s doing it right, as usual.”

Read more here: https://www.shorelinemedia.net/ludington_daily_news/news/local/ludington-celebrates-70-years-of-ss-badger/article_f07c2090-08bc-11ee-afbc-df7f491fc4b1.html

View another video here: https://www.9and10news.com/video/2023/06/11/ss-badger-celebrates-70-years-with-birthday-bash-in-ludington/

Lighthouse tours resuming in Muskegon as city pursues taking over

MUSKEGON, MI – Tours of one of Muskegon’s two Lake Michigan lighthouses will be offered this summer as the city works toward ownership of the historic structures.

The South Pierhead Lighthouse, located near the U.S. Coast Guard station at Pere Marquette Park, is open for tours from 1-5 p.m. Fridays through Mondays.

The lighthouses are owned by the Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy, which is struggling to properly care for them. The conservancy asked the city to take over the lighthouses, which city commissioners agreed to last month. However, ownership transfer is expected to take some time.

The South Pierhead Lighthouse located on the Muskegon Channel has been the focus of significant repair efforts in recent years, including restoration of its lantern room. The 91-year-old South Breakwater Lighthouse, located at the edge of Lake Michigan on the end of the breakwater, is in need of significant repairs. It has been awarded $800,000 in state funding to pay for some of them, and the city is the fiduciary for that grant.

Tickets are available at the chalet just west of the Coast Guard station. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for students and military veterans

Read more here: https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2023/06/lighthouse-tours-resuming-in-muskegon-as-city-pursues-taking-them-over.html?utm_campaign=muskegonchronicle_sf&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR0kZdgNefoKo1nbVQqhcdIy_shjkZsb0Nl9Iw1I-DMa2EFq5x3MiQfwIMo

Buttigieg: ‘It’s about time’ federal funds approved for Port of Green Bay expansion

GREEN BAY, WI – The Port of Green Bay is on the verge of starting work on its first new shipping terminal in more than 100 years thanks to federal dollars U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Wednesday said was long overdue.

“It’s about time. This city and this region is so key to Midwest commerce. It’s so well-positioned because of its infrastructure,” Buttigieg said, noting interstate highways, rail lines and the port’s connection into the global shipping network.

Buttigieg and U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin took a boat tour of the former Pulliam Power Plant site as part of an effort to highlight the $10.1 million Port Infrastructure Development Program grant Baldwin helped secure for the port expansion effort.

“We really felt every inch of the bay just now, but really also saw the vision and the commitment,” Buttigieg said. “You’ve got a lot to be proud of. It’s a competitive program. It’s not a small thing for you and your team to have earned this (grant).”

The port expansion project would convert the former power plant site into a multifunction port terminal, a facility where ships can load and unload cargo. The county also plans to sell some of the Pulliam site to GLC Minerals for it to expand and add more jobs. The expansion project could increase the port’s economic activity by $87 million in the first five years after it is completed. It also captured a lot of community attention because it could help Green Bay and Brown County relocate the coal piles site out of the central city, a decades-old dream.

The $10.1 million federal grant is one key piece of the puzzle which port, county and city officials have had to put together to expand the port and find a possible new home for the coal piles. Here’s a look at what’s involved, how much it’ll cost, where the coal piles fit in and what’s yet to be determined.

Read more here: https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/money/2023/05/25/in-green-bay-buttigieg-hypes-funds-for-port-expansion-coal-piles-move/70252242007/?fbclid=IwAR3UNmffChJzbGqRdxAbXXiwSnJGYfepXKezoDxGt5VRZeJlg1y8X8XyXvQ