Corps of Engineers promotes LeighAnn Ryckeghem to Operations Manager, Soo Project Office

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District hires LeighAnn Ryckeghem to the newly named Operations Manager position at the Soo Locks, effective July 1.

The Operations Manager, formerly known as the Area Engineer, is responsible for overseeing all Corps of Engineers operations and maintenance activities as well as stakeholder outreach from the Menominee River Watershed in Wisconsin, East across northern Lake Michigan and Huron to the St. Marys River, then West along Lake Superior to Munising, Michigan. The area of responsibility includes maintenance of 13 harbors and offshore channels, maintenance of approximately 70 miles of Federal Navigation Channel in the St. Marys River, and Operation and Maintenance of the Soo Project Office which includes Hydropower, a Class I Visitor Center and the Soo Locks.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District

Thunder Bay hosts 60th anniversary parade for Canadian Coast Guard Day

THUNDER BAY, ON – A parade and ceremony will took place in Thunder Bay in recognition of 60 years of Canadian Coast Guard service in Canada. The event celebrated the critical contribution and role of the Canadian Coast Guard in maintaining and policing the waterways of the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Seaway System since 1962.

Thunder Bay’s vibrant maritime industry has benefited from the Canadian Coast Guard’s services including icebreaking, aids to navigation, lighthouse keeping (historical – now automated), ship inspection, and saving of lives. The event honored and celebrated the Canadian Coast Guard’s unique tie to Thunder Bay’s history, community, growth, and prosperity.

Thunder Bay also acknowledged the 64th Birthday of CCGS Alexander Henry, one of only a few pre-1962 Coast Guard ships still in existence.

Lake Superior News

Lost shipwreck resurfaces in Lake Michigan nearly 200 years after sinking

SAUGATUCK, MI – A West Michigan couple believes they’ve located a once lost shipwreck in the shallow waters of Lake Michigan.

Kevin Ailes and his wife, Amy, share a passion for preserving shipwrecks. “My main focus is preservation,” Ailes said. “But in the process of preservation we come across a lot of information which is quite intriguing to go find something.”

In the last decade, Kevin Ailes has located 4 shipwrecks once considered lost across the Great Lakes. He now has another wreck to add to the list.

Ailes began researching the wreck of the Milwaukie, a ship that went down in a fierce winter storm near Saugatuck in November of 1842. It’s one of the earliest known shipwrecks along the West Michigan lakeshore.

Using historical accounts of where the ship went down, Ailes used archive satellite imagery on Google Earth to scan the area of interest. Water conditions, sun angle, and several other factors at the time satellite imagery is captured plays a big role.

An archive satellite image from March 2021 revealed just what Ailes was looking for, just a few hundred feet from the shoreline. “I just couldn’t believe when I saw it there,” Ailes said. “You can even see the bow pointing not straight at shore, but about a 45 degree angle at shore.”

With a new point of interest to investigate, the couple first visited the site by boat during Spring 2022. Using a magnetometer and sonar on board, they verified what had been seen on the satellite scans. “Every one to two feet the detector would register a hit, and that matches up with the spikes which hold a ship together,” Ailes said.

Underwater images reveal what lies against the innermost sandbar along the Saugatuck Dunes State Park shoreline when waves and sand cooperate. “Clearly a keel, a little bit of ribs there,” Ailes said. “It’s definitely a shipwreck.”

The dimensions match up to the Milwaukie’s 113 foot length, he added.

While not much remains of the nearly 200-year-old vessel, the story behind its final resting place is quite the tale.

Read the rest of the story at this link: https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/shipwreck-boat-sinks-lake-michigan-saugatuck-milwaukie-divers-exploration-ailes-kevin?fbclid=IwAR1qlXQD39SzFi47jLrtI-GBfc-FAB2E9ToeBbeMuCdxDdF12ACXt-jPsKw

Up North Live

Reserve now for MHSD’s Detroit River cruise on September 10

View the image gallery to learn more about the event and how to purchase tickets

Port of Green Bay reports ‘blockbuster month’ for shipping

GREEN BAY, WI – The Port of Green Bay says June was an “outstanding” month for shipping.

Cargo shipments hit 328,734 tons last month, one of the highest monthly totals in recent years, the Port of Green Bay said in a statement Friday. By comparison, last month’s total was 179,058 tons. A year ago, June shipping reached 149,019 tons.

“After a relatively slow start to the 2022 shipping season, it was exciting to see the ship traffic that we had in June,” said Dean Haen, Port of Green Bay Director. “We know there are many ups and downs during the typical shipping season on the Great Lakes, but we certainly hope this is a sign of good things to come for the Port.”

Imports of foreign and domestic salt led the way in June, reaching nearly 150,000 tons. It was also a good month for limestone imports (53,355 tons), cement imports (48,702 tons), and coal imports (47,679 tons). When it comes to petroleum products, the Port saw 22,821 tons of imports, while 6,258 tons were exported.

Overall, a statement from the Port says tonnage is running 10% ahead of last year when final totals reached nearly 2 million tons. A total of 24 ships, including four Canadian ships and two foreign vessels, moved through the Port in June, bringing the 2022 total to 53.

June also saw the first cruise ship visit to the Port of Green Bay. The Ocean Navigator made overnight stops at Leicht Park on June 16 and June 30.

NBC 26

Help save the United States post office at the Soo Locks

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – The United States Postal Service (USPS) is considering shutting down the post office for sailors at the Soo Locks due to a “lack of usage”. 

If you know a sailor or are feeling kind, consider sending a letter or a post card to that sailor or a favorite boat of yours. Any mail will help keep this service available to the sailors on the Great Lakes.

If you’re interested in sending mail then follow this format:

Person’s name

C/O name of boat

Marine Post Office

Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783

Corps of Engineers begin next phase of construction on new Soo lock

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District anticipates phase 3 of construction on the new Soo lock project will start this summer after the $1.068 billion contract was awarded earlier this month.

Kokosing Alberici Traylor, LLC, a joint venture headquartered in Westerville, Ohio, will begin constructing the largest phase, the new lock chamber and rehabilitation of the downstream approach walls. The recently announced contract allows the contractor to begin work.

With continued funding, the remaining work, valued at $803.95 million, may be awarded over the next three years. Corps of Engineers officials expect phase 3 construction to take seven years.

“The Corps of Engineers looks forward to beginning construction on the new lock chamber later this summer, and we continue to work hard to maintain the pace and continue to make progress toward New Lock at the Soo total project completion in summer 2030,” said New Lock at the Soo Project Manager Mollie Mahoney.

With phase 1 nearly complete and phase 2 scheduled for completion in summer 2024, officials said the third construction phase is a big milestone for the project. A major cost increase led to a five-month contract award delay while the Corps of Engineers developed necessary reports to deliver a new cost estimate for reauthorization to Congress. They said the root causes for the cost increase are changing market conditions, inflation, a nationwide labor shortage, design modifications and early estimate assumptions.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Great Lakes iron ore trade down 32.6 percent in June

CLEVELAND, OH – Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 3.9 million tons in June, a decrease of 32.6 percent from 2021. Shipments were 29.5 percent below the month’s 5-year average.

Year-to-date the iron ore trade stands at 13.8 million tons, 33.5 percent below the previous year’s total of 20.7 million tons.  Iron shipments are below their 5-year average by 30.9 percent for the first half of the year.

Lake Carriers’ Association 

Corps of Engineers awards contract to dredge Duluth-Superior Harbor

DETROIT, MI – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, awarded a contract for dredging at Duluth-Superior Harbor in western Lake Superior on the Minnesota-Wisconsin border, to begin early August.

The $2.72 million contract is awarded to Roen Salvage Co., from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The contract is to mechanically dredge about 76,000 cubic yards of material from the harbor. The dredged material will be placed at Erie Pier Confined Disposal Facility (CDF) and the 40th Avenue West Placement Area. Dredging will begin in early August and will be complete by November 1, with Erie Pier site work complete by March 2023.

“Maintenance dredging executed under this contract will allow ships to safely navigate in the Duluth-Superior Harbor and approximately half of the material will be beneficially used for habitat restoration at the 40th Avenue placement site,” said Project Manager Stephen Rumple.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District

Obituary: Max Hanley

Max Hanley, age 65, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, passed away on June 30th, 2022.

Max was born in Ludington, Michigan, to Lyle and Chieko Hanley on May 1, 1957. He attended school at Ludington High School and Baker College in Muskegon, Michigan. On October 12th 1991, Max married JoLynn Dale Hanley in Ludington.

After 25 years of working at Great Lakes Castings Corporation, he took early retirement and landed his dream job at Lake Michigan Carferry where he was able to work in information technology and use his talent and unique eye to photograph and sail on the ships that he was crazy about. Additionally, he dived into the C&O Carferries and the Pere Marquette Railroad archives, fulfilling the great desires of his historian’s heart.

Read more or leave condolences and memories at https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/max-hanley-obituary?id=35719779&fbclid=IwAR1PZsS0Lmm8HVG_i_yrVR7_HiksSfeYr1bHgAlp63q9tCtDdvWf3Zk5EiM

Trade winds blowing at the Port of Monroe

MONROE, MI – The Port of Monroe (Port) along with port tenant Ventower Industries (Ventower) and terminal operator DRM are working to develop and expand new renewable energy supply chain opportunities during the 2022 shipping season.

The Port and DRM are working to load wind tower sections manufactured in Monroe by Ventower for outbound shipment on US-flagged barges.  The wind towers are being transported to the Port of Oswego, New York where they will be staged with other components for delivery to a project site in upstate New York.

Ventower Industries is the only active wind turbine tower manufacturer in the United States located at a Port. The relationship between the Port and Ventower has been critical in developing these new supply chains. A load of tower sections was loaded aboard a foreign-flagged vessel in 2019 for delivery to a project in South America but this current project is a positive step forward for short-sea-shipping on the Great Lakes.

“The fabrication of utility-scale wind turbine towers is what we do best.  When you combine the skills of our manufacturing team and the capabilities we developed at our Port of Monroe manufacturing facility with a world class marine transportation facility next door, it creates an environment which allows us to serve our customers more effectively and makes our products that much more competitive in the region,” said Gregory Adanin, CEO/President at Ventower.

Ashton Marine Corporation, a Michigan-based tug company, is handling the transportation for the project.

“We are honored to partner with the Port, Ventower and DRM on this renewable energy project,” said Seth Andrie, President of Ashton Marine. “Transporting project cargo for our customers throughout the Great Lakes is one of our specialties.”

In 2016, the U.S. Maritime Administration designated the Port of Monroe as part of the Marine Highway Route M-90. As a Marine Highway, the Port and its stakeholders are committed to developing and expanding marine highway service options in the United States to expand the use of America’s navigable waterways. “In a single project we have Michigan manufactured renewable energy components, built right here at the Port of Monroe, being transported under the American flag on a designated Marine Highway Route,” said Capt. Paul C. LaMarre III, Port Director at the Port of Monroe. “The Port of Monroe is proud to be at the forefront of domestic cargo diversification which will ultimately benefit the system as a whole.”

The Port recently welcomed a new Manitowoc crawler crane to the port which will be used to load tower sections. Funds to purchase the crane were awarded through the Marine Highway program.

The wind tower project is expected to be completed later this summer.

Port of Monroe 

Photograph shows M/V Gwen loading US fireboat

PICTON, ON – The new MetalCraft Marine US fireboat bring lifted aboard M/V Gwen in Picton Bay Thursday morning, now departed for Italy to load other cargo for South East Asia, and then off to Kuwait. This custom-built fireboat (FireCat 25M) based on a catamaran is heading to Kuwait. It is the 6th vessel built for Kuwait. The towers go up 45 feet above the water, and shoot huge velocity of water (5,500 gallons per minute).

Janey Anderson

World’s largest rubber duck to make 2 appearances in Michigan this summer

Known as Mama Duck, the “World’s Largest Rubber Duck” is set to make two appearances in Michigan over the summer. 

The first will be at the Festival of Sails in Alpena, along the shores of Lake Huron, from July 15-17. Then, Mama Duck will head to Marquette’s Mattson Lower Harbor Park, along Lake Superior, from Aug. 12-14.

Make no mistake about it, this isn’t your ordinary rubber duck. It’s 61-feet high, 69-feet wide, 79-feet long and weighs 31,500 pounds, according to Craig Samborski, president and owner of the World’s Largest Rubber Duck.

Samborski said the duck made its debut in August 2014, when it appeared in Los Angeles. The duck is available for events and festivals throughout the summer from late June until October, Samborski said.

“The duck uses three high-intensity blowers to keep it inflated during each of its visits,” Samborski said. Samborski added the duck travels by semi-truck everywhere it goes, and is stored when not in use at a warehouse just outside of Cleveland, Ohio.

Click on Detroit

Museum’s new self-guided walking tour explores the fascinating maritime history of Toledo port

TOLEDO, OH – The National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) is releasing a new, stand-alone product for individuals to explore the story behind the museum’s hometown maritime history. Using VoiceMap, a self-guided tour app, individuals can travel back in time with author, storyteller, and holytoledohistory.com curator Tedd Long on a 90-minute walk along the heart of downtown Toledo’s riverfront while sightseeing, boat watching and enjoying the winding path along the Maumee. 

“There are so many fascinating maritime stories to explore in Toledo—from why Toledo’s Warehouse District was centered on Swan Creek, to how the canals helped to transform the Glass City, and how a change in wind direction saved downtown Toledo in 1894,” shares Mr. Long, who donated his time and talents to support the museum’s mission through this new product. “Stories like the crash of the Yuma into the Cherry Street Bridge and the building of the first 5-masted sailing vessel the David Dows help to highlight a whole new perspective on Toledo, the Maumee River, and the largest landmass port on the Great Lakes.” The walking tour begins across the river from the museum at Middlegrounds Metropark and follows a path to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge and back. 

The Port of Toledo Walking Tour costs $5.99 and can be purchased at the Museum or online at nmglstore.org. Once purchased, the walking tour can be accessed at the owner’s convenience. Individuals can make a full day or multi-day activity of a museum visit and the Port of Toledo Walking Tour as well as take the tour as a stand-alone activity. Through the generous donation of Tedd Long, all proceeds from the tour purchase support the National Museum of the Great Lakes and its mission, to preserve and make known the history of the Great Lakes. For additional information visit nmgl.org or call 419-214-5000.

National Museum of the Great Lakes

Algoma Compass departs from lay-up

OWEN SOUND, ON – Algoma Central Corporation’s 680’ vessel Algoma Compass departed Owen Sound, ON., early July 13th and sailed to Goderich, ON., for its first load of the season.

A major asset of the four vessel sale from American Steamship Co. to Algoma Central Corporation in late 2017, the Algoma Compass has mostly rotated between lay-up and active trading since the acquisition.

Early literacy skills explored with maritime-themed music and movement class

TOLEDO, OH – On Monday, July 18, at 10:30 AM, the National Museum of the Great Lakes will host another Capt. Scupper’s Songfest: Maritime Music and Movement. This new, small group activity presented by Sing into Reading was developed with children ages 0-6 in mind. During the class, little ones will spend 30 minutes exploring maritime themes through music and movement with a parent or caregiver, followed by open play in the Museum’s “Port of Play,” and exploration of the museum galleries. Each class is limited to 20 kids and their grownups. Additional classes will be offered on August 22, and September 19. For additional information and to purchase tickets, visit www.nmgl.org

View the gallery below to view the National Museum of the Great Lakes’ infographic.

National Museum of the Great Lakes

Port of Québec consolidates and expands cruise ship capacity with new multipurpose terminal

QUÉBEC CITY, QC – To meet the growing enthusiasm for Québec City as a cruise destination, the Port of Québec now has a modern terminal as welcoming as the city itself. The official inauguration of Terminal 30 by Mario Girard, President and CEO of the Québec Port Authority, was attended by Chantal Rouleau, Minister for Transport, Minister Responsible for the Metropolis and Montréal Region and MNA for Pointe-aux-Trembles; David Weiser, city councillor responsible for economic development and member of Québec City’s executive committee; and many other dignitaries.

The cruise terminal was built following consultation with the local cruise industry, which had identified the need for a new terminal to improve the reception of cruise passengers in Québec City and ensure a high satisfaction rate. With the commissioning of these world-class facilities, the Port of Québec and the Québec City and Lévis region have solidified their position as a favourite destination among cruise passengers.

“Terminal 30 is the result of the hard work and vision of numerous players who have combined their efforts over the past 20 years to ensure that the Port of Québec is worthy of a UNESCO World Heritage City. In addition to serving large cruise ships, this multipurpose terminal will be available throughout the year for a wide array of events,” said Mario Girard, President and CEO of the Québec Port Authority.

“Our National Capital is a popular destination for tourists from Québec and abroad. The Terminal 30 that we are inaugurating today will certainly increase the level of satisfaction of travellers and encourage them to return to visit our hotels, restaurants, and businesses for many years to come. I congratulate the Port of Québec for completing this important project,” said Geneviève Guilbault, Deputy Premier, Minister of Public Security and Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale region, and MNA for Louis-Hébert.

“The cruise terminal we are inaugurating today will allow tourists from here and elsewhere to take full advantage of all the riches that the St. Lawrence River has to offer. It will have important spinoffs for all of Québec. I would like to thank the Port’s teams for all the work that has gone into this major project,” said Chantal Rouleau, Minister for Transport, Minister responsible for the Metropolitan and Regional Affairs of Montréal and MNA for Pointe-aux-Trembles.

“The City is thrilled to inaugurate Terminal 30 at the Port of Québec today. The new port facility is good news for future cruise passengers, as well as for local residents and business owners. I know the new terminal will generate significant economic benefits and drive growth here in Québec City and throughout the region. All of our projects share a common goal: helping Québec City shine bright. This terminal is further proof of that commitment,” added David Weiser, city councillor responsible for economic development and member of Québec City’s executive committee.

Multipurpose equipment

Designed and engineered to meet the needs of cruise passengers and the community at large, Terminal 30 can serve several purposes at once. During the off-season, Terminal 30 offers storage services for pleasure crafts and hosts large-scale events, such as the Imagine Monet exhibition, which runs until September 5, 2022. It also recently served as a vaccination centre for CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale.

Terminal 30 cost a total of $31.9 million to build, divided between the Government of Québec ($15 million), the City of Québec ($5 million), and the Port of Québec ($11.9 million).

As the number one destination for international cruises on the St. Lawrence and the most popular destination for cruise passengers and cruise lines, Québec City receives tens of thousands of visitors each season.

This unprecedented popularity has generated exceptional exposure for Québec City and major economic benefits for the region. The new world-class facilities will accommodate all types of ships and will enhance the customer experience. This will ensure the Port of Québec remains one of the world’s top embarkation and disembarkation destinations.

Terminal 30 in numbers

•    Boarding bridge with a span of 21 metres from the waterline

•    Can accommodate more than 2,500 passengers at once

•    Surface area of 9,447 m2 (ground floor: 5,862 m2; level 2: 3,585 m2)

•    Storage area of over 4,500 m2 or approximately 65 boats

•    First ship is expected to arrive on August 4, 2022, carrying 3,140 passengers and 1,200 crew members

Cruises with significant economic benefits

Québec City is a popular destination for visitors and has become one of the world’s top destinations for many cruise lines and tourism media. This popularity within the cruise industry helps generate significant economic and tourism benefits for the region.

Port News 

Historic Johnston Boiler building ravaged by fire

FERRYSBURG, MI – On Saturday, firefighters managed to save most of the historic Johnston Boiler Company building Saturday afternoon, but not before a fire ravaged portions of the roof and the east walls.

Johnston Boiler built steel ships in the early 1900s and supplied large marine boilers for Great Lakes vessels for many years.

Company president and CEO David Reinink confirmed that no one was in the building when the fire started around 2 p.m. Once firefighters arrived, they began battling the blaze from outside, and also entered the building. A short time later, according to witnesses, a loud explosion sent black smoke billowing in the air and forced firefighters to scramble back outside the building.

It took several hours for firefighters to completely extinguished the blaze. Dozens of Johnston Boiler employees stat and watched in stunned silence as a ladder truck from the city of Grand Haven poured water down on the roof of the building.

“It’s a complete surprise. You can never be ready for something like this,” Reinink said. “We have no idea what caused the fire. We’re going to cooperate with investigators and try to figure out what caused this.”

The front of the building, which faces Pine Street, looked largely undamaged, aside from holes punched in some of the large doors. Reinink said the same can’t be said of the back of the building.

“There’s a section above our oven where the siding is off, where the roof is off,” he said. “That’s the hot spot. That’s where the fires as. They contained it to that area.

“We had a tremendous response from all the firefighters, and we really appreciate that.”

Former Grand Haven City Councilmember Mike Dora recently retired from Johnston Boiler. He received dozens of calls and texts alerting him to the fire, and felt compelled to come down and watch the blaze.

“I retired two years ago after 44 years working — since August 1976,” he said. “I’m really glad to see the fire department got here and got it out. Hopefully it didn’t do too much damage so the guys can get back to work. I don’t know the exact number, but when I was there, there were about 70 people employed there.”

Reinink said Johnston Boiler dates back to the Civil War. “We’ve been around 158 years, and we’ve been in this building a long, long time,” he said.

He was moved at the number of employees who were on site Saturday. “We even have retirees who came back to see if there was anything they could do to help us out. We have employees calling in, they want to help remove the water Monday morning,” Reinink said.

Grand Haven Tribune

Wilfred Sykes bound for Twin Ports

SUPERIOR, WI – Central Marine Logistics’ classic laker Wilfed Sykes will arrive in Duluth, MN., on the afternoon of Monday, July 11th. The Sykes will unload its load of limestone at Graymont in Superior, WI., and then is expected to shift over to BNSF Dock #5 to load iron ore. 

To follow the rest of the traffic on the Great Lakes, make sure to check out Joshua Hebeisen’s port reports.

Casualties, demolitions from the Journal of the World Ship Society

Vessels with Great Lakes – Seaway connections, reported as a casualty or sold for demolition – taken from July 2022 issue of Marine News ­­– Journal of the World Ship Society

CASUALTY:

AZBURG (9102899) (Kroonborg-13 – 1st seaway transit in 1996) – 6,142 / 1995 – General Cargo vessel, Dominican flag . Owned by Dneptrans PC, Ukraine was struck by a projectile while moored at Mariupol, Ukraine on 3.04.2002 and caught fire, sinking the next day after a second strike. The 12 crew got off safely to nearby ships, but one was injured

DEMOLITIONS:

SAPPER (9114969, Panama) (SAPPHIRE-21 – 1st seaway trip in 2012, OCEAN PRIDE-08 – 1st seaway trip in 2007, SAPPHIRE-2004) 9,914 / 1997 – Chemical Products tanker – By Neptune Seaway Ltd, Liberia, to Leela Green Ship Recycling India and arrived Alang 7.03.2022 and commenced 16.03.2022

Report prepared by Barry Andersen and René Beauchamp

Port Days event in Detroit celebrates both past and future of Great Lakes cruising

DETROIT, MI – The Motor City was awash with maritime revelry Saturday as the Ocean Navigator cruise ship anchored to the RiverWalk for the first Port Days event aimed at showcasing maritime travel on Michigan’s beloved waters.

During the event hosted by Detroit Wayne County Port Authority — the first of three slated this summer — tables of crafts and souvenirs greeted visitors for a lesson on Great Lakes cruising history.  The Detroit Historical Society poured out a background of cruising while Visit Detroit passed out Detroit merchandise and tourist information. Detroit’s Original Seafood truck was stationed behind the event, perfectly on theme with the topic.

A shipping container decorated with photographs of 20th-century luxury ships sat on the side of the RiverWalk. An hour into the event, Paws — the Detroit Tigers’ Mascot — drew in the crowds for photos in front of the ship.

“The Great Lakes cruising is a tremendous way to introduce people to the city of Detroit and southeast Michigan. We’re a very attractive port for the Great Lakes cruises,” said Claude Molinari, CEO of Visit Detroit.

For almost a century, steamships were a luxury method of travel around Detroit, up until 1950. But with the recent rise in cruising, Detroit now serves as a tourist attraction as its port welcomes ships of travelers.

Read the full article at this link: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2022/07/09/port-days-celebrates-great-lakes-cruising/7831800001/

Detroit Free Press 

Obituary: George Robert Skuggen

George Robert “Skip” Skuggen, 91 of Avon Lake, OH., formerly of L’Anse, MI passed away surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer on Tuesday, July 5, 2022. He was born October 14, 1930, to parents, Captain George T., and Myrtle (nee Johnston) Skuggen in Hancock, MI.

Read more or leave condolences and memories at jacobsonfuneralhome.com

Port of Thunder Bay sees an increase in cargo volume

THUNDER BAY, ON – June has shaped up to be much busier than the same time last year with improved cargo volumes in the port of Thunder Bay. 

Both potash and general cargo shipments were up, while grain volumes had a modest rebound. Tim Heney, CEO of the Thunder Bay Port Authority, says grain shipments have especially increased which he called, “encouraging.” “There are good crop reports starting to come out after the seeding so it looks like this year is going to be, fingers crossed, a lot better than last year and we should start seeing the effects of that,” he said.

“They’ve got a tremendous amount of seeding done with significant acreage covered.” Heney says there were some worries about the wet spring and drier weather in June.

“It takes 92 days to grow a proper wheat crop, so as long as we get 92 days of reasonable weather, we should be okay,” he said. Predictions of stronger grain production for this year will mean increased port shipments this fall which can impact the high global grain demand while supplies are tight.

While June grain volumes were higher than a year ago, year-to-date shipments of grain remained down by one-million metric tons compared to last year. The poor Prairie grain harvest in 2021 is to blame. Meanwhile, Keefer Terminal imported 88 large windmill tower sections and other wind turbine components, which are being staged in the intermodal yard and eventually will be railed to Western Canadian wind farm projects.

But it’s the exporting of potash shipments that continues at a strong pace. For the second consecutive month, more than 150,000 metric tons of potash have arrived from Saskatchewan and have passed through Thunder Bay handling facilities.

“It’s because of the Ukrainian situation,” said Heney. “A lot of

potash came out of Ukraine and Russia and now Saskatchewan is trying

to serve some of that market from Thunder Bay.” In fact, the volume of potash that was shipped from the Thunder Bay port this year until June 30, exceeds the port’s annual average of potash. Shipments head to Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.

The Chronicle Journal

Port Of Oswego continues to build upon successful shipping season

OSWEGO, NY – This past week one of several wind turbine barges called on the Port of Oswego (POA), unloading 15 of the first of 91 tower sections that will be delivered to the Port. The tower sections were manufactured in Michigan and transported by tug and barge to Oswego, with the ultimate destination of Steuben County’s Eight Point Wind Energy Center.

“This is one of many projects that the port has been working on and we are proud to be building a strong reputation as a leader in maritime commerce on the Great Lakes,” said William Scriber, POA executive director.

“This year, the port loaded the first grain shipped out of the Great Lakes,” Scriber said. “We’ve also received and transported the largest wind turbine blades in New York State and received a record 732 truckloads of corn so far this year from local farmers and unloaded the first of several aluminum slab ships to support Novelis. Each slab weighs more than 26 tons and there are 316 per shipload. Another aluminum slab delivery is currently on its way to the Port.”

Fran Enwright, chairperson, POA board of directors, said:  “We’re seeing levels of activity at the Port that we haven’t experienced in decades. With just six months of the year behind us, we have more projects shipping grain, offloading aluminum and wind turbine components than ever before, and we are on-track to shatter previous levels of activity by year’s end.”

“The real success of these many projects is the local jobs they support and supporting local farmers has clearly been established as a top priority,”  Scriber said. “Our success is solely based on the success of our many customers and partners. Our mission is to create and support jobs in upstate New York and we continue to prove that we are one of the largest job generators in the City of Oswego.”

The Eight Point Wind Energy Center project will continue for several months with the storage, preparation for travel, and loading for truck transport to the site, located in the Towns of Greenwood and West Union. The completed project will have a maximum generating capability of 101.8 megawatts from an estimated 31 wind turbines.

Oswego County Today

Tall ship anchoring in the Sault later this month

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – The tall ship Nao Trinidad will anchor at the Roberta Bondar Park waterfront July 28-31.

“The 100-foot Nao Trinidad replica was the flagship of Magellan’s expedition that led to the first circumnavigation of the earth, confirming for the first time that the world was round,” the city said in a news release Tuesday.

“Many take this as the greatest maritime achievement. The year 2022 marks the 500th anniversary of this adventure and it is being celebrated with an extensive exhibition on board the replica historic vessel.”

Converted into a floating museum filled with exhibits to explore, the three-mast, six-sail tall ship can be viewed Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for youth (5-12 years old), with family packages available (two adults and three children) for $35. Children under age five are free.

Tickets are available at the community services department located in the lobby level of the Ronald A. Irwin Civic Centre or at the Roberta Bondar Marina during regular hours.

For more information, contact the Roberta Bondar Transient Marina at 705-759-5430.

CTV News

Video shows Mark W. Barker testing freefall life boat at Bay Shipbuilding

STURGEON BAY, WI – Today the crews at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding deployed the freefall lifeboat off our M/V Mark W. Barker for the first time as part of her testing to make sure she is fully operational before leaving the Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin shipyard. 

Weighted down with water bags to simulate 30 crew members, the launch was successful and likely the first time anywhere on the Lakes that a stern lifeboat has been deployed.  

Click on this link to view the full video: https://fb.watch/e7o4f7pR1I/

Interlake Steamship Co. 

Raffle Begins in Support of Great Lakes History; Provides Chance to Win Great Lakes Experiences of a Lifetime

TOLEDO, OH – The National Museum of the Great Lakes is proud to announce the launch of the 2022 Luck of the Lakes—a raffle dedicated to supporting the museum’s mission to preserve and make known the history of the Great Lakes. This year one lucky individual will again have the chance to visit the breathtaking sights of the Great Lakes aboard an 11 day American Queen Voyages Splendor of the Great Lakes cruise.

“The Luck of the Lakes Raffle allows us to raise funds and awareness in support of Great Lakes history while also giving individuals an opportunity to gain once-in-a-lifetime Great Lakes experiences,” says Kate Fineske, the museum’s Senior Director of Institutional Advancement. “The work we do wouldn’t be possible without the money raised through this raffle and our H2Oh! Gala—which together became our single largest fundraiser of the year. ”

Winners are selected during the museum’s H2Oh! Gala held Saturday, September 24. The Grand Prize raffle winner will get to glimpse the breathtaking sights of the Great Lakes on an 11-day American Queen Voyages cruise for 2 aboard the Ocean Voyager or Ocean Navigator from Chicago to Toronto (or Toronto to Chicago). The runner up will win an “Ultimate Great Lakes Exploration Day” which includes a day trip for 4 beginning with a guided tour of the historic Marblehead Lighthouse (the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the Great Lakes), followed by lunch at Catawba Island Club (one of the finest private clubs on the Great Lakes), and concluding with a tour of the LaFarge-Marblehead Quarry (where they’ll feel the ground shake below them as they walk the quarry docks).

All proceeds benefit the Great Lakes Historical Society and its National Museum of the Great Lakes. Tickets are $100 each with incentives to purchase multiple tickets by offering 3 for $250, 6 for $500, or 12 for $1,000. Individuals wishing to purchase multiple opportunities for a chance to win should consider taking advantage of the Early Bird Special offering 4 tickets for $250 only through July 31. For more information and to purchase tickets, individuals can visit the raffle landing page at: nmgl.org/2022lolraffle or call 419.214.5000

National Museum of the Great Lakes