Michigan is paying $600K to settle a police case and getting an artifact from a famous shipwreck

   DETROIT – The state of Michigan has acquired a life ring that washed ashore 50 years ago from the Edmund Fitzgerald, a rare artifact that strangely became part of a settlement in a lawsuit that had nothing to do with the famous shipwreck.
   Taxpayers are paying $600,000 to settle the lawsuit by Larry Orr, who accused a state police officer of violating his rights during a sexual abuse investigation that was discredited, court records show.
   Orr, in turn, agreed to give up the life ring, which he owned. U.S. Magistrate Judge David Grand said it was an “unusual settlement conference” when lawyers appeared in court on Oct. 8 and put the deal on the record.
   The Associated Press reached out to the state police this week to try to learn why it wanted the life ring and who had authorized Lt. David Busacca’s attorney to bargain for it.
   “Upon learning the details of the settlement, we are not comfortable with the life preserver being included and will be reaching out to Mr. Orr’s attorney,” spokesperson Shanon Banner said in an email Thursday.
   Banner wouldn’t answer follow-up questions. The state already has the orange ring.
   Orr found it on the Lake Superior shore after the Fitzgerald sank during an incredible storm in November 1975. All 29 men on the ore vessel died. Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot memorialized the disaster with an iconic ballad, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”
   Orr had planned to auction the ring, figuring it might attract more attention around the 50th anniversary in a few weeks, said his attorney Shannon Smith.
   Busacca apparently knew that Orr had one, and it was suddenly brought up during talks to settle Orr’s lawsuit against him, Smith said.
   She said it probably represented half the value of the $600,000 deal reached over allegations of police misconduct.
   “Are we at a mediation for a wrongful prosecution or an estate sale?” Smith said she wondered.
   Busacca’s lawyer, Audrey Forbush, declined to comment when reached by AP. Orr, who is in his 70s, also declined to comment.
   The life ring had been on loan to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula until Orr retrieved it this year.
   “They’re pretty unusual,” museum director Bruce Lynn said. “I don’t honestly have any idea how many are out there.”

[AP, WOOD TV]

Kahlenberg horns made in Two Rivers echo on sea, land and in sporting venues worldwide

   TWO RIVERS (WLUK) — When it’s time to make some noise, Kahlenberg Industries literally sounds the horn.
   From super yachts to NHL arenas and NFL stadiums, the Two Rivers company is making its mark around the world.
   The Kahlenberg Brothers Company started making engines in Two Rivers in 1895. 130 years later, in the same building where it all started, the brothers’ company has expanded. While they’ve moved away from engines, a main focus of what is now known as Kahlenberg Industries is producing horns.
   “You know, we often say they’re the Rolls Royce of horns in the marine industry,” says sales manager Alex Kahlenberg, a fifth-generation member of the business.
   From commercial vessels to super yachts, Kahlenberg makes horns for ships of all sizes. For tugboats    the sounds of Kahlenberg horns are literally heard around the world. The T3A is one of the most popular. It can been seen on yachts anywhere from 40 meters and up.
   That loud sound from a Kahlenberg horn was music to the ears of Chicago Blackhawks owner Bill Wirtz back in the 1970s.
   “He liked the sound of his horn on his yacht, so he wanted to put it in the arena,” Kahlenberg said. “And, you know, that was a tradition that they started — sounding the horn after goals — and it became a leaguewide tradition to blast the horn after a goal.”
   Fifty years later, Kahlenberg horns are in almost all NHL arenas. Their most recent installation was in Salt Lake City, following a special request from the Utah Mammoth of the NHL.
   “When they came to us looking for a goal horn, they had a specific chord in mind and were wondering if we could replicate that chord, and luckily, we were able to, because you know, it’s a very large air horn that’s powered through a diaphragm,” said Kahlenberg.and military aircraft carriers, the horn is most likely a Kahlenberg.
   The organization put out a video to introduce its new sound.
   “They are a C sharp major chord. They have a C sharp and F, a G sharp and a B,” said Kahlenberg about the Mammoth’s sound.
   Four notes from four horns that make up one of the most unique goal horns in the NHL.
    “It’s been amazing to see the history, see the hard work that’s been put in every day by our workers, to you know, give the fans an experience they can remember,” Kahlenberg said.
   Kahlenberg horns can be found in plenty of other sporting venues, too.
For example, in the NFL realm, Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers, has one.
See full article and all videos on this story at this link:      https://fox11online.com/news/local/kahlenberg-horns-echo-on-sea-land-and-sporting-venues-worldwide-nhl-utah-mommoth-chicago-blackhawks-goal-horns-family-business-yacht

Boo on the Boat Marks Halloween
at National Museum of the Great Lakes

   Toledo, Ohio – The National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) invites families to celebrate Halloween at Boo on the Boat, happening Friday, October 24 through Sunday, October 26. Join us during museum hours for Halloween fun aboard two of Toledo’s most historic haunts—the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship and the Museum Tug Ohio.
   Costumed trick-or-treaters can explore the pilothouses and galleys, collecting treats in pre-portioned, sealed bags at haunted stations along the way. The event offers a frightfully fun way for young explorers to dive into Great Lakes history while enjoying the spooky season.

[See details in the gallery below.]

Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum Offers 2
Special Edmund Fitzgerald Events

   WHITEFISH POINT, MI – Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum has two special events happening before the Fitzgerald memorial on November 10th. One on November 7th and one on the 9th. All our events this fall are free to the public…please read below.
NOVEMBER 7th
   The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum will host an Edmund Fitzgerald speaker panel to take place on Friday, November 7, 2025 (6:30pm) at the Whitefish Township Community Center in Paradise, MI. Panelists will range from historians and surviving Fitzgerald family members…to Shipwreck Society staff and a former engineer on the Fitzgerald. This is a free event and seating will be on a first-come, first serve basis. The event will last approximately 1.5 hours. The Whitefish Township Community Center is located at: 7052 M-123, Paradise, MI 49768.
ON NOVEMBER 9th
   The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society will soon release the second edition of its popular Edmund Fitzgerald publication, The Legend Lives On. With an additional 48-pages of content, this richly illustrated book features historic imagery and artwork of “Big Fitz” during its working life and of this ship’s ongoing story across the years since November 10, 1975.  The GLSHS official release and book signing of The Legend Lives On will take place at the Shipwreck Coast Museum Store on the Shipwreck Museum campus (Whitefish Point) on Sunday, November 9, 2025 from 1pm-3pm. Authors Bruce Lynn and Christopher Winters will be signing copies of the book at this time

Fitzgerald Memorial Plans Announced By
Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society

   The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society will hold an outdoor public remembrance service for the 50th Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial at Whitefish Point on Monday, November 10th, 2025 at 2 p.m.

PLAN AHEAD – WHAT TO EXPECT:
   Outdoor Shelter: NO tent or seating will be setup for the outdoor public ceremony, as November can have volatile weather that would cause more harm than good. Check the weather forecast prior to traveling to Whitefish Point, and know your limits.
    *(Seating will be provided for speakers and individuals ringing the bell.) 
   Parking: LIMITED parking is available at Whitefish Point. No RVs, Campers, or trailers will be allowed to park in the PAVED parking areas. Once paved parking areas are filled, be prepared to park along the shoulder of the road prior to reaching Whitefish Point.
   No Shuttle Services: Be prepared to walk the distance from where you parked to get to Whitefish Point. Know your limits!
   Museum Closed: The Museum will be closed to the public. Restrooms will be open.
   Grounds Cleared: In order to make room (and parking available) for Fitzgerald families driving-in for the evening ceremony, daytime visitors will be asked to leave the grounds by 5PM.
   A ceremony for family members only will take place at 7:00 PM, which will be livestreamed for the public. Under no circumstances will the evening ceremony for the family members of the Edmund Fitzgerald be open to the public.
   The live stream link of the evening ceremony will be made available prior to the ceremony via our website and social media channels.

[Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society]

National Museum of the Great Lakes Remembers the Fitzgerald

Fifty years after the Edmund Fitzgerald tragically met its demise in Lake Superior, the National Museum of the Great Lakes invites you to Toledo for four powerful days of stories, music and reflection remembering the ship’s 29-man crew-many of whom called Toledo home.
[See the two-page flyer in the gallery.]

MI reps. request Trump administration send at least 1 new icebreaker from Finland to the Great Lakes

   Two U.S. representatives from Michigan are asking the federal government to send at least one new icebreaker ship to the Great Lakes as part of a deal between the U.S. and Finland.
   Earlier this month, President Donald Trump and Finnish President Alexander Stubb signed a memorandum of understanding that would allow the U.S. to purchase 11 new icebreakers from the Nordic nation.
   On Tuesday, Rep. Tom Barrett (R – MI 7) and Rep. Hillary Scholten (D – MI 3) wrote a letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, urging the office to ensure at least one of the new ships will be planned for winter navigation on the Great Lakes.
   “The Great Lakes can easily be overlooked by some as part of the Coast Guard’s mission. Relentless winters on the Great Lakes often result in heavy ice accumulation that only icebreakers can navigate through. Without these USCG vessels consistently patrolling the water border between the United States and Canada, our federal law enforcement will be unable to effectively deter border crossings year-round,” the letter reads. “The Great Lakes are also key pillars of our economy, creating $3.1 trillion in gross domestic products and employing 25.8 million people. A failure to keep them clear of ice can lead to major economic loss and threaten thousands of jobs, which makes the procurement of a new icebreaker even more significant.”
   Under the MOU between the U.S. and Finland, four ships will be built in Finland and up to seven additional ships will be built at U.S. shipyards
   The full letter can be read by clicking on this link:  https://barrett.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/barrett.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/quill-letter-l30056-ice-breakers-for-the-great-lakes-version-1-10-21-2025-09-33-am.pdf

Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum Offers 2
Special Edmund Fitzgerald Events

   WHITEFISH POINT, MI – Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum has two special events happening before the Fitzgerald memorial on November 10th. One on November 7th and one on the 9th. All our events this fall are free to the public…please read below.
NOVEMBER 7th
   The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum will host an Edmund Fitzgerald speaker panel to take place on Friday, November 7, 2025 (6:30pm) at the Whitefish Township Community Center in Paradise, MI. Panelists will range from historians and surviving Fitzgerald family members…to Shipwreck Society staff and a former engineer on the Fitzgerald. This is a free event and seating will be on a first-come, first serve basis. The event will last approximately 1.5 hours. The Whitefish Township Community Center is located at: 7052 M-123, Paradise, MI 49768.
ON NOVEMBER 9th
   The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society will soon release the second edition of its popular Edmund Fitzgerald publication, The Legend Lives On. With an additional 48-pages of content, this richly illustrated book features historic imagery and artwork of “Big Fitz” during its working life and of this ship’s ongoing story across the years since November 10, 1975.  The GLSHS official release and book signing of The Legend Lives On will take place at the Shipwreck Coast Museum Store on the Shipwreck Museum campus (Whitefish Point) on Sunday, November 9, 2025 from 1pm-3pm. Authors Bruce Lynn and Christopher Winters will be signing copies of the book at this time

Boo on the Boat Marks Halloween
at National Museum of the Great Lakes

   Toledo, Ohio – The National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) invites families to celebrate Halloween at Boo on the Boat, happening Friday, October 24 through Sunday, October 26. Join us during museum hours for Halloween fun aboard two of Toledo’s most historic haunts—the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship and the Museum Tug Ohio.
   Costumed trick-or-treaters can explore the pilothouses and galleys, collecting treats in pre-portioned, sealed bags at haunted stations along the way. The event offers a frightfully fun way for young explorers to dive into Great Lakes history while enjoying the spooky season.

[See details in the gallery below.]

Fitzgerald Memorial Plans Announced By
Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society

   The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society will hold an outdoor public remembrance service for the 50th Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial at Whitefish Point on Monday, November 10th, 2025 at 2 p.m.

PLAN AHEAD – WHAT TO EXPECT:
   Outdoor Shelter: NO tent or seating will be setup for the outdoor public ceremony, as November can have volatile weather that would cause more harm than good. Check the weather forecast prior to traveling to Whitefish Point, and know your limits.
    *(Seating will be provided for speakers and individuals ringing the bell.) 
   Parking: LIMITED parking is available at Whitefish Point. No RVs, Campers, or trailers will be allowed to park in the PAVED parking areas. Once paved parking areas are filled, be prepared to park along the shoulder of the road prior to reaching Whitefish Point.
   No Shuttle Services: Be prepared to walk the distance from where you parked to get to Whitefish Point. Know your limits!
   Museum Closed: The Museum will be closed to the public. Restrooms will be open.
   Grounds Cleared: In order to make room (and parking available) for Fitzgerald families driving-in for the evening ceremony, daytime visitors will be asked to leave the grounds by 5PM.
   A ceremony for family members only will take place at 7:00 PM, which will be livestreamed for the public. Under no circumstances will the evening ceremony for the family members of the Edmund Fitzgerald be open to the public.
   The live stream link of the evening ceremony will be made available prior to the ceremony via our website and social media channels.

[Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society]

National Museum of the Great Lakes Remembers the Fitzgerald

Fifty years after the Edmund Fitzgerald tragically met its demise in Lake Superior, the National Museum of the Great Lakes invites you to Toledo for four powerful days of stories, music and reflection remembering the ship’s 29-man crew-many of whom called Toledo home.
[See the two-page flyer in the gallery.]

Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum Offers 2
Special Edmund Fitzgerald Events

   WHITEFISH POINT, MI – Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum has two special events happening before the Fitzgerald memorial on November 10th. One on November 7th and one on the 9th. All our events this fall are free to the public…please read below.
NOVEMBER 7th
   The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum will host an Edmund Fitzgerald speaker panel to take place on Friday, November 7, 2025 (6:30pm) at the Whitefish Township Community Center in Paradise, MI. Panelists will range from historians and surviving Fitzgerald family members…to Shipwreck Society staff and a former engineer on the Fitzgerald. This is a free event and seating will be on a first-come, first serve basis. The event will last approximately 1.5 hours. The Whitefish Township Community Center is located at: 7052 M-123, Paradise, MI 49768.
ON NOVEMBER 9th
   The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society will soon release the second edition of its popular Edmund Fitzgerald publication, The Legend Lives On. With an additional 48-pages of content, this richly illustrated book features historic imagery and artwork of “Big Fitz” during its working life and of this ship’s ongoing story across the years since November 10, 1975.  The GLSHS official release and book signing of The Legend Lives On will take place at the Shipwreck Coast Museum Store on the Shipwreck Museum campus (Whitefish Point) on Sunday, November 9, 2025 from 1pm-3pm. Authors Bruce Lynn and Christopher Winters will be signing copies of the book at this time

Boo on the Boat Marks Halloween
at National Museum of the Great Lakes

   Toledo, Ohio – The National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) invites families to celebrate Halloween at Boo on the Boat, happening Friday, October 24 through Sunday, October 26. Join us during museum hours for Halloween fun aboard two of Toledo’s most historic haunts—the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship and the Museum Tug Ohio.
   Costumed trick-or-treaters can explore the pilothouses and galleys, collecting treats in pre-portioned, sealed bags at haunted stations along the way. The event offers a frightfully fun way for young explorers to dive into Great Lakes history while enjoying the spooky season.

[See details in the gallery below.]

Fitzgerald Memorial Plans Announced By
Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society

   The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society will hold an outdoor public remembrance service for the 50th Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial at Whitefish Point on Monday, November 10th, 2025 at 2 p.m.

PLAN AHEAD – WHAT TO EXPECT:
   Outdoor Shelter: NO tent or seating will be setup for the outdoor public ceremony, as November can have volatile weather that would cause more harm than good. Check the weather forecast prior to traveling to Whitefish Point, and know your limits.
    *(Seating will be provided for speakers and individuals ringing the bell.) 
   Parking: LIMITED parking is available at Whitefish Point. No RVs, Campers, or trailers will be allowed to park in the PAVED parking areas. Once paved parking areas are filled, be prepared to park along the shoulder of the road prior to reaching Whitefish Point.
   No Shuttle Services: Be prepared to walk the distance from where you parked to get to Whitefish Point. Know your limits!
   Museum Closed: The Museum will be closed to the public. Restrooms will be open.
   Grounds Cleared: In order to make room (and parking available) for Fitzgerald families driving-in for the evening ceremony, daytime visitors will be asked to leave the grounds by 5PM.
   A ceremony for family members only will take place at 7:00 PM, which will be livestreamed for the public. Under no circumstances will the evening ceremony for the family members of the Edmund Fitzgerald be open to the public.
   The live stream link of the evening ceremony will be made available prior to the ceremony via our website and social media channels.

[Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society]

National Museum of the Great Lakes Remembers the Fitzgerald

Fifty years after the Edmund Fitzgerald tragically met its demise in Lake Superior, the National Museum of the Great Lakes invites you to Toledo for four powerful days of stories, music and reflection remembering the ship’s 29-man crew-many of whom called Toledo home.
[See the two-page flyer in the gallery.]

KIVALLIQ W. DAMAGED IN NUNAVUT

Labrador company charters vessel after ship damaged while offloading fuel in Nunavut

    A fuel tanker owned by a Labrador-based company was damaged while discharging diesel for delivery to a mine site in Nunavut on Wednesday, but the company’s CEO says it will not affect the delivery of critical fuels to Canada’s Arctic as the winter months approach.
   “We will be able to deliver everything we’re contracted to,” said Peter Woodward, CEO of the Woodward Group of Companies.
   Woodward said there were no injuries and no hydrocarbons were spilled following what he called a “mechanical failure” on Wednesday morning aboard the 129-metre Kivalliq W., which is owned by a Woodward Group affiliate called Coastal Shipping Limited.
   The vessel is docked at Baker Lake, a community of roughly 2,000 residents, and continued to offload its fuel as of Thursday afternoon, said Woodward.
   Woodward said one of the vessel’s fuel tanks was damaged during the discharge process, and the vessel will be required to enter a drydock for repairs.
   He said an investigation into the incident is ongoing, along with an assessment of the damage to the vessel.
   Coastal Shipping signed an agreement with another company on Thursday morning to hire a replacement vessel for the delivery of three fuel shipments from Lewisporte to Arctic ports.
   “We understand what it means to operate in the Arctic,” said Woodward. “We have a replacement to make sure all products will be delivered to communities and industrial sites.”
   Coastal Shipping is the only company that delivers fuel to the north, and Woodward said the replacement vessel “will be engaged in the next couple of days.”
   Woodward said he regrets the incident, but is relieved that there were no injuries or environmental damage, and that the company will live up to its commitments.
   He said his company has a stellar safety record, and “this is the first time we’ve had an incident like this and we’ve been delivering fuel into the Arctic for 26 years.”

*the Kivalliq W. was last in the Seaway May 2025

Source: CBC News – Terry Roberts

Oct. 17, 2025
[#shipjunkies]

Windy Weather Expected Sunday on Great Lakes

Closing of the 2025 Navigation Season

The Seaway Corporations are confirming the closing dates of the 2025-26 navigation
season that were communicated in Seaway Notice No.2 of 2025.
Closing Dates
Montreal-Lake Ontario Section
 The Corporations have decided to waive the operational surcharges on
December 21, 22, 23 and 24.
 Any transit of the Montreal-Lake Ontario Section of the Seaway after 23:59
hours, December 24, if permitted, will be subject to prior written agreement.
Arrangements are to be made at the St. Lambert office.
 All ships must be clear of the MLO Section by 12:00 January 5, 2026.
Welland Canal
 Any transits of the Welland Canal after 23:59 hours, December 26, if permitted,
will be subject to prior written agreement. Arrangements are to be made at the
St. Catharines office.
 All ships must be clear of the Welland Canal by 12:00 January 10, 2026
Targeted opening dates for the 2026 Seaway navigation season are as follows:
 Montreal / Lake Ontario Section: March 22, 2026
 Welland Canal: March 22, 2026

Sault Ste. Marie Locks and Canal (United States)
Closing of the Sault Ste. Marie Locks (U.S.A.) is currently scheduled for January 15,
2026. Please note the Notice to Navigation Interests released by the US Army Corps
of Engineers for further information.

Ports East of Montreal
Ship owners and operators are advised that there are a number of ports east of the
Seaway (St. Lambert Lock) on the St. Lawrence River that remain open to navigation
during the winter months.

[Total notice with all information in Gallery below  5-pages]

Obelisk removed from historical burial ground near Soo Locks

   BAY MILLS, MI – After decades of advocacy to protect a historic Native American burial at Brady Park in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., a large obelisk is finally being removed.
   The obelisk was placed at the site without tribal consultation in 1907 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Soo Locks. For years, tribal communities have advocated for the removal of the structure. Back in June, the US Army Corps of Engineers opened a 30-day comment period regarding the monument and its removal. The end result was the decision to remove the piece from the park, according to a press release.
   “In June of 1820, during treaty negotiations at Sault Ste. Marie, our grandfather, Crane Clan Chief of the Great Lakes, Shingabowaasin, made it clear to the United States that our ancient burial ground, Wudjiwong, must be protected,” said Bay Mills Ojibwe History Department Historian Paula Carrick. “He insisted that its protection be written into the treaty, recognizing even then—205 years ago—that this land held the remains and the spirit of our people since time immemorial. His words have guided us for seven generations.”
   In acknowledgment of the cultural and historical significance of this location, and in consultation with federally recognized tribes who continue to utilize the location within Brady Park for cultural and religious practices, the Corps of Engineers began removing the structure on Wednesday, Oct. 15.
   “For decades, we have sought to have the obelisk removed from this sacred place. Today, we feel a deep sense of fulfillment and gratitude to finally be able to witness this moment. In honoring the work that our grandfather, Shingabowaasin, began so long ago, we carry forward his vision and commitment,” said Carrick. “This is historic day of healing, restoration, and fulfillment.”
   The removal of the Obelisk is being conducted in accordance with a Memorandum of Agreement developed in consultation with federally recognized Tribes, Michigan State Historic Preservation Office and National Park Service.
   “The removal of the obelisk represents a meaningful example of how federal agencies and Tribal Nations can work together through the Section 106 process to right historical wrongs. This is not just the removal of a monument, but the recognition of tribal sovereignty and the enduring responsibility to protect our sacred places,” said BMIC President Whitney Gravelle. “Bay Mills Indian Community is proud to stand alongside our fellow Anishinaabe Nations in ensuring that Wudjiwong is treated with the care and respect it has always deserved with a special thanks to the Bay Mills History Department and their decades of advocacy, teaching, and leadership.”
   The removal of the obelisk is outlined in the MOA, developed under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, which is the process by which federal agencies consider impacts to historic properties.

Soo Leader

Op-Ed: State of Great Lakes shipbuilding

By Brendan Falkowski, Owner, Shipwatcher News

   Just over the last few months shipbuilding has gone from a forgotten industry in America to routinely making front page headlines. The current world climate has raised alarms across the globe for renewed investments in navies and merchant fleets as world powers compete for dominance of the seas. Even with this renewed interest in maritime, the Great Lakes still go largely under the radar, something this corner of the industry knows far too well. The spotlight only seems to find the Great Lakes maritime industry when things go wrong, and almost never highlight the industry’s large role in the U.S. economy and defense supply chain.
   Congressional reports cite that over 90% of the iron ore consumed by America’s steel making industry is mined in the Great Lakes region and shipped through the holds of Great Lakes ships. The majority of American manufacturing is tied to the ability of raw materials to flow through the Great Lakes-Seaway system. Iron ore is just one of many other cargoes that support power generation, construction, food supply chains, and more throughout the region and even the world. As the national spotlight looks to the rest of US maritime when it comes to shipbuilding, let’s take a closer look at the current situation on the Great Lakes.
   Besides the Mark W. Barker and a handful of barges, new construction for the U.S.-flagged Great Lakes fleet has not happened in any major capacity since the late 1970s, aided by Title XI benefits from the Merchant Marine Act of 1970. Title XI offered operators guaranteed financing through the government for newbuilds and modernizing existing vessels, with additional tax benefits for investing in their fleets. This legislation is what built the current fleet of Lakers we know today.
   The existing fleet of Lakers has been able to handle tonnage demands since the last major newbuild program, partially aided by the steady decline of coal cargoes and the cyclical nature of the North American steel industry allowing for older, obsolete vessels to be retired. The carrying capacity (sum of all U.S.-flagged dry bulk ships) has remained steady at about 1.5 million tons over the last decade and a half, while the Canadian fleet’s capacity has remained around the 600,000-ton mark. But the American-flag fleet here on the Lakes is aging—the average age of the American Laker fleet is 52 years old. That is over one and a half times the average life expectancy of 35 years of the ships built during the last fleet renewal program in the 1970s.
   To further put this into perspective, the average age of the Canadian Laker fleet is only 24 years, and the average age of the international visitors to the Lakes is 12. These ships have been modified, repaired, and modernized over the course of their lives to remain efficient traders, but even though they sail in freshwater, the age of the fleet is starting to rapidly catch up.
   Operators seem to find themselves in a Catch-22 situation. The decline in coal transport demand in the region has significantly reduced the amount of cargo movement necessary in the region in the current market, leaving more vessels available to take on other cargoes. The demand does not exist in the sense of increased tonnage, but at the same time there is demand for new ships in the sense that the fleet will need replacement.
   As for the operators, the combination of old age of the fleet and increased regulatory scrutiny have brought more unexpected repairs and work to attention. Just like when you hit the 100,000-mile point in your car, there are major repairs and maintenance items that have to be completed, with surprise issues that come up as well.
   With shipbuilding costs so high that newbuilds are out of reach, operators are forced to keep pushing their older ships longer and longer. This brings with it more work and maintenance to keep them going, as well as the added challenge of trying to repair old equipment. Lead times for parts that have to be specially manufactured or imported from overseas keep ships at the wall for several months at a time now. This kept the 1942-vintage cement carrier Alpena at the wall for the first six months of the 2025 season, and the 1973-built integrated tug-barge Presque Isle during the summer of 2022 for three and a half months, just to name examples.
   These events have transpired when there is available cargo to move, forcing industry and operators to get creative in order to not fall behind. Every stakeholder on the Great Lakes should be aware of the increased potential of ships breaking down at critical infrastructure points, such as the Soo Locks or a loading dock. This would not only delay that vessel but accumulate delay time for other ships as well. The odds of this situation are only increasing at this point.
   Uncertainties in regulatory direction have not positively added to the equation either. Environmental regulations for emissions and directions on future fuels present a moving target for operators and engineers alike. Further regulatory discrepancies between U.S. and Canadian agencies leads to further uncertainty on the subject of ballast water treatment systems (BWTS). While existing U.S. Lakers that do not leave the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system are not required to have BWTS, Canada put rules in place mandating systems onboard any vessels taking on or discharging ballast in Canadian waters by the year 2030.
   Building new ships is the result of an equation that combines both demand for the new tonnage, whether that be for new cargo, replacing existing tonnage, or other initiatives, in combination with the economic factors that allow for the capital investment in new hulls. It’s a chicken and the egg situation. The Great Lakes shipping industry, and American maritime as a whole, has been caught in a tricky spot where there is demand for the new hulls in terms of fleet renewal, but the economics do not play out.
   The shipping business on the Lakes is a competitive trade, where margins are tight and don’t allow for large amounts of capital to be saved for investment in new hulls, especially when the old hulls are so maintenance-intensive. To top this, current market conditions make it difficult to reinvest. Competition between operators continues to evolve, where in more recent times some have been more willing to slash operating budgets in efforts to undercut rates in a race to the bottom business style. This slims margins even more, making it more difficult for everybody to look to reinvesting in new vessels. Industries that rely on cargo movement via Lakers are attracted to the low tonnage prices, and are reluctant to look past the lowest shipping rate and invest in the long-term viability of their shipping platform through commitment to long-term partnerships.
   There are some exceptions, however. Interlake Steamship constructed the Mark W. Barker as the result of a long-term agreement to transport salt for Cargill. U.S. operators are often hesitant to handle salt cargoes in order to protect their aging Lakers from the corrosive nature of the cargo. Cargill realized they needed the security of having a reliable Jones Act vessel to handle their cargo, and partnered with Interlake for a long-term solution that was realized through a newbuild Laker.
   The Jones Act
   Domestic U.S. shipping is regulated by the Jones Act, which mandates that ships moving cargo between U.S. ports be U.S. built, owned, and crewed. The U.S. maintains very high standards in labor regulations and construction quality, but it comes at a cost so high that domestic operators are not able to justify investment in new hulls. U.S. shipyards come nowhere close to competing with rates on the world market. Steel and labor costs are multiples of those seen around the globe.
   The methods of trying to surgically maintain existing vessels only adds to those costs. Laws like the Jones Act are necessary to maintain a domestic industrial base capable of producing vessels for coastwise trading and national defense, otherwise the art of shipbuilding would be lost in America as a whole. Canada is a perfect example of this, as the repeal of the Canadian-built stipulation in the Canadian Coastwise Trading Act dealt a final death blow to the Canadian commercial shipbuilding industry, with their defense shipbuilding industry even feeling the ripple effects.
   Canadian operators are able to build vessels overseas at a much lower cost, which has allowed them to renew their fleets at a massive scale in recent years. The prohibitively high costs at U.S. yards further snowball into issues relating to maintaining a skilled labor workforce capable of building high quality ships when steady work is not always coming in.
   Work at Great Lakes shipyards is highly cyclical, with loads ramping up on the ships during the winter layup period, but during the summer months yards have to rely on military or off-lakes contracts to keep staff busy. When the ice and snow come in wintertime, operators look at the remaining shipyards to handle several vessels-worth of projects simultaneously, and expect them to complete them in time for fit-out in March. Then when an emergency comes up in the middle of the season the shipyards are expected to turn the ship around in a matter of days.
   The situation can be compared to having an auto repair shop only open regularly during three months of the year, and on-demand for the remainder of the season. When repairs are necessary during the other nine months, it won’t be at the pace of a Formula 1 pit stop. The lack of consistent commercial newbuilds locally has been to the detriment of maintaining that steady workload and skilled labor. As shipbuilding has declined in the US, the skilled workforce of welders, pipefitters, electricians, and other specialists dwindled, and now finding qualified workers is a big concern.
   Local yards no longer feature full-service machine shops, repair facilities, or fabricating capabilities and contract out several components to a project since they cannot support those workers full-time. Additionally, Great Lakes shipyards have historically been behind the curve when it comes to adoption and implementation of advanced shipbuilding technology and methods, further driving up costs and reducing competitiveness in broader markets.
   The demand for new construction for the Jones Act Laker fleet is there, but it is a difficult target for almost every player to hit. Most new shipbuilding on the U.S. side has been tied to long-term cargo commitments in recent years, and not as much to support existing contracts. This will have to give at some point, as the current fleet will not be able to last forever. A partial fleet renewal is likely in store at some point in the near future, with individual vessel replacement being explored for ships nearing the end of the line. Additional ship conversions to articulated tug-barge units are even more likely. The issue of financing these capital investments still remains a challenge. A full fleet renewal—such as the one seen with the Title XI subsidies and tax benefits in the 1970s—is still beyond the horizon without a change of status quo. The right combination of economic conditions may play on the side of the shippers and shipbuilders.
   If interest rates drop low enough to justify the payment on the debt for new tonnage in relation to the operating costs of the aging fleet, investment will be a much more attractive option for operators. If we are having the broad shipbuilding conversation, the question needs to be asked if new ships are for business expansion or retention. Major Canadian carriers like Algoma and CSL have fully renewed their fleets in recent years, but this is to preserve existing contracts, not expand into new ones.
   Allister Paterson, president of Canada Steamship Lines, put this into perspective in a 2015 press release about CSL’s Trillium-Class fleet renewal program. “Great Lakes shipping is a mature market, it isn’t growing,” he said. “Our Trillium program has always been about renewing our fleet, not growing it.”
   While the current market is in need of new vessels to support continuing operations, other Canadian carriers such as McKeil Marine have proven that new niches can be carved out while rosters for the remainder of the fleet have turned over. Waterborne routes can be identified for more cargoes currently using land-based transportation on the American side as well.
   What about the SHIPS for America Act? Great question.
   The SHIPS for America Act is not currently set up to have direct impact on the Great Lakes shipping industry, at least not a direct benefit. In fact, it may present further challenges in its current form. The Act does not include provisions allowing Great Lakes operators to take advantage of financing and benefits for investment in fleet renewal and modernization. Rather, it will focus on oceangoing merchant vessels and expanding the shipbuilding industrial base in order to support ramping up defense shipbuilding. This investment in the industrial base to support defense and oceangoing shipbuilding will draw workers away from the Great Lakes region and out to the major coasts, leaving labor to become even more scarce.
   If provisions in the Act accounted for inland transportation like the Great Lakes and inland waterways, the industry may be able to rebuild and set up for a more sustainable future to be able to better reliably support American manufacturing and defense. Broadly, if the SHIPS act is about maintaining what we have and expansion, that conversation needs to involve the Great Lakes, a region responsible for moving the building blocks of America. In theory, if companies were incentivized to renew their fleets and look at new business, that would stimulate the Jones Act fleet into a period of dynamic evolution. But as long as the current fleet continues sailing without real investment in renewal, operating costs and freight rates will only go up, which will trickle down through the industries down to the very cereal, appliances, automobiles, and more used by the average American. It is only a matter of time before vessels start to be sidelined due to their condition, whether it be for repairs, or worse yet, not passing regulatory inspection.
   There is a long road of challenges to face to make it possible to revive the shipbuilding industry in the Great Lakes region and renew the Great Lakes fleet for a sustainable future. It will take getting creative to find ways to economically justify building new ships, and efforts from shippers to shipbuilders to the industries they serve to make this possible to rebuild for long-term sustainability. The Great Lakes was once a center for shipbuilding prowess and innovation, and can be once again with renewed investment and strategic planning.

[MarineLog]

USCG awards Rozema $70.9M heavy weather boat contract

Written by Nick Blenkey
MarineLog

   The U.S. Coast Guard has awarded an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract to Rozema Boat Works Inc. of Mount Vernon, Wash., to acquire up to six second-generation special-purpose craft – heavy weather (SPC-HWX II) boats. The Coast Guard says the total potential value of the contract is $70.9 million and the first SPC-HWX II is anticipated to be completed in fiscal year 2027.
   The rugged, all-aluminum boats are designed for extreme weather operations and will replace the legacy 52-foot SPC-HWX boats, which were originally commissioned in the 1950s and 1960s and officially retired in 2021.
   Rozema Boat Works notes that U.K.-based naval architecture firm Camarc Design, is providing the vessel design, while Elliott Bay Design Group, of Seattle is supporting with U.S.-based engineering services and technical data compliance.
   “We’re honored to have the opportunity to deliver a world-class, state-of-the-art vessel to the U.S. Coast Guard for this critical and complex mission. Built on years of global service and refinement, this proven Camarc design stands out as the ideal choice for the Coast Guard,” says Tim Kolb, vice president, Rozema Boat Works. “Backed by our accomplished program team, Rozema Boat Works is ready to execute and deliver.”
   The 64-ft SPC-HWX II will support a wide range of Coast Guard missions including search and rescue, disabled vessel towing, law enforcement, ports, waterways, and coastal security. These next-generation vessels will serve primarily in the Pacific Northwest, operating in severe offshore conditions that exceed the capabilities of other Coast Guard boats.
   Powered by twin 1,200 hp MAN diesel engines, the SPC-HWX II is capable of operating up to 150 miles offshore, reaching speeds of 20 knots, and has a bollard pull greater than 18,000 pounds. The vessel is designed for self-righting in surf and can withstand 35-ft seas, 25-ft surf, and wind conditions up to 60 knots. Accommodations for a relief crew allow for an endurance of up to 48 hours—critical for long-range response in harsh environments.
   “Rozema Boat Works is thrilled to have been awarded the new USCG SPC-HWX project,” said Dirk Rozema, president. “This achievement marks a significant milestone for our company, and our entire team is deeply grateful to the United States Coast Guard for entrusting us with the construction of these important vessels. We look forward to working closely with the Coast Guard to deliver first-rate vessels that will serve with reliability and excellence for years to come.”

[MarineLog]

Temporary Increase of Lake Ontario Outflows

MAISONNEUVE REGION
MONTREAL / LAKE ONTARIO SECTION
[See Notice in gallery below]

Boo on the Boat Marks Halloween
at National Museum of the Great Lakes

   Toledo, Ohio – The National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) invites families to celebrate Halloween at Boo on the Boat, happening Friday, October 24 through Sunday, October 26. Join us during museum hours for Halloween fun aboard two of Toledo’s most historic haunts—the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship and the Museum Tug Ohio.
   Costumed trick-or-treaters can explore the pilothouses and galleys, collecting treats in pre-portioned, sealed bags at haunted stations along the way. The event offers a frightfully fun way for young explorers to dive into Great Lakes history while enjoying the spooky season.

[See details in the gallery below.]

USS Cobia returns to Manitowoc after repairs in Sturgeon Bay

Phil DeCastro,FOX11NewsWed, October 15th 2025

   STURGEON BAY (WLUK) — The treasured World War II submarine USS Cobia is back home at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum.
   She arrived in Manitowoc Wednesday afternoon after leaving Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay in the morning.
   Two tug boats assisted the Cobia on her journey south on Lake Michigan. The sub had been in Sturgeon Bay for about five and a half weeks, since the beginning of September, getting repairs and a new paint job.
   FOX 11 was there for both the Cobia’s departure and arrival
   We started the day inside the Bay Shipbuilding facility to capture the Cobia’s final minutes there before she left for Manitowoc.
   Her fresh paint, in some spots, was still in the process of setting. But after a quick wipe-down and touch-up following some overnight rain, it was full steam ahead.
   The Cobia has been missed in her home port.
   “This is a huge relief for the entire museum staff and volunteers, and indeed the community, to know that we’ve got to the finish line. Almost. We still have to get her down to Manitowoc. But this is a tremendous relief for all of us,” said Kevin Cullen, the Wisconsin Maritime Museum director. His view from the lead tug gave him the perfect vantage point for the Cobia’s new paint job.
   While it might appear unfinished and uneven, this is the true-to-spec scheme as the Cobia would have looked for combat missions in World War II.
   “It would basically be camouflaged out on the water. So there’s the shallow line — it’s not even a straight line across the deck there. That is on purpose too. If you were looking at a vessel out on the horizon, it would almost appear like it wasn’t there. There’s a mirage,” Cullen said.
   And the 245 on the side, that’s also new. It’s the Cobia’s original hull number.
   Bay Ship project manager Kevin Lauder has mixed feelings about the Cobia’s departure. They’re proud of their work, but know that she is one of a kind.
   “Bittersweet. It was exciting to have it here. It was exciting to work on it. And it’s exciting to see it go, because you’ve done it. But now, you know, you don’t have the opportunity to see it every day,” Lauder said.
   The American flag wasn’t the only thing flying proud on the Cobia’s tower. At the top was a broom sticking up in the air — a naval tradition to indicate the work was a clean sweep — and that she’s all set for her voyage back out into Lake Michigan, and back to Manitowoc.
   By all accounts, Wednesday’s trip was a smooth one, with light winds and calm seas — just what the captains were hoping for.
   The Cobia won’t be open to the public just yet. Cullen hopes that the first guests will be welcomed on board by Saturday.

[For full story including videos click the link]
https://fox11online.com/news/local/uss-cobia-embarks-on-return-voyage-to-manitowoc-after-repairs-in-sturgeon-bay-wisconsin-martime-museum-fincantieri-bay-shipbuilding-wwii-submarine

Boo on the Boat Marks Halloween
at National Museum of the Great Lakes

   Toledo, Ohio – The National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) invites families to celebrate Halloween at Boo on the Boat, happening Friday, October 24 through Sunday, October 26. Join us during museum hours for Halloween fun aboard two of Toledo’s most historic haunts—the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship and the Museum Tug Ohio.
   Costumed trick-or-treaters can explore the pilothouses and galleys, collecting treats in pre-portioned, sealed bags at haunted stations along the way. The event offers a frightfully fun way for young explorers to dive into Great Lakes history while enjoying the spooky season.

[See details in the gallery below.]

Manitoulin repaired and Receives Clearance to Sail

   Manitoulin had touched bottom after veering out of the channel slightly above Cardinal On. at the turn because of heavy current pushing her into the shallow area. She started taking on water and as of now, has been repaired.
    The crew stayed on board while repairs were taken care of and will be departing soon.
   Update;  As of 16:00 she is on her way to Quebec

October 14, 2025
[Janey Anderson-#shipjunkies]

USS Cobia To Return to Manitowoc Wednesday

   Manitowoc, WI – A historic WWII submarine that’s been drydocked in Sturgeon Bay is coming back to Manitowoc.
   The Wisconsin Maritime Museum announced that after a month, the USS Cobia is prepared to return October 15 at 3 p.m., after leaving Sturgeon Bay around 7 a.m. The museum says they will share live updates on Facebook as Cobia makes her journey back.
   AIS tracking will also be available again on the lead tugboat Nickelena, for those who want to see when the sub is coming back.
   The Cobia left Manitowoc in early September for her first dry dock since 1996, a process where the submarine is lifted out of the water so crews can inspect, clean and repair areas normally under water.
   While in Sturgeon Bay, a volunteer discovered a four-foot rip in the seam of one of the ship’s main ballast tanks. “If that would’ve gone unnoticed, that would’ve caused major structural damage to Cobia,” Alexandria Bolle said.
   Bolle, communications coordinator for the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, said that wasn’t the only surprise. The hull was covered in invasive zebra mussels. “We did not know how many there would be … the hull was completely covered,” Bolle said. If the mussels are left too long, they will embed themselves into the metal and add significant weight to the ship. “They had to be pried off, and there were actually two gentlemen who had to go in by hand and just wipe them off from the submarine,” Bolle said.
   Crews also inspected the deck to ensure it can safely support the thousands of visitors who climb aboard each year.
   “We’re helping guarantee that it’ll be around for future generations,” Bolle said.
   The submarine received new paint from bow to stern, along with reinforced support framing, welded seams, and newly serviced sea chests and shutter doors.
   Cobia will leave Sturgeon Bay Wednesday morning at 7 a.m., making an eight-hour journey by tugboat through the canal and across Lake Michigan before docking back in Manitowoc around 3 p.m.
   Tours of the Cobia should start back up the week after her arrival.
   When the Cobia returns, the Wisconsin Maritime Museum’s Sub Pub will open 30 minutes before her arrival, inviting the community to watch history float back into Manitowoc. Visitors and residents will not be able to tour her right way, and new tour dates will be announced later. The times and dates of Cobia’s return are subject to change depending on how Lake Michigan is acting.
   The Wisconsin Maritime Museum raised $1.5 million to drydock the Cobia.

NBC 26
  Watch a video here: https://fox11online.com/news/local/exclusive-behind-the-scenes-look-at-the-restoration-of-world-war-ii-submarine-uss-cobia-historic-manitowoc-sturgeon-bay-fincantieri-bay-shipbuilding-wisconsin-maritime-museum-dry-dock

JPMorgan Chase Reveals $1.5 Trillion Drive to Rebuild U.S. Industry, Including Shipbuilding

Mike Schuler
October 13, 2025

   JPMorgan Chase has announced a $1.5 trillion, 10-year Security and Resiliency Initiative to finance and invest in industries critical to national economic security, including a focus on revitalizing America’s shipbuilding sector.
   The financial services firm says will make direct equity and venture capital investments of up to $10 billion to help select companies primarily in the United States enhance their growth, spur innovation, and accelerate strategic manufacturing.
   “It has become painfully clear that the United States has allowed itself to become too reliant on unreliable sources of critical minerals, products and manufacturing – all of which are essential for our national security,” said Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase. “Our security is predicated on the strength and resiliency of America’s economy. America needs more speed and investment. It also needs to remove obstacles that stand in the way: excessive regulations, bureaucratic delay, partisan gridlock and an education system not aligned to the skills we need.”
   The initiative targets four key areas: Supply Chain and Advanced Manufacturing, Defense and Aerospace, Energy Independence and Resilience, and Frontier and Strategic Technologies. These four themes are divided into 27 sub-areas, ranging from shipbuilding and nuclear energy to nanomaterials and critical defense components.
   Shipbuilding is specifically identified as a sub-area under Supply Chain and Advanced Manufacturing, encompassing the construction of both “commercial and military vessels.” The firm describes this focus as part of “reshoring key industries and building robust, redundant supply networks” to “safeguard against global disruptions, reduce dependence on potential adversaries and counterparties, and drive productivity growth in critical areas.”
   JPMorgan Chase had already planned to facilitate and finance approximately $1 trillion over the next decade in support of clients in these industries. With the new initiative, the firm aims to increase this amount by up to $500 billion.
   “This new initiative includes efforts like ensuring reliable access to life-saving medicines and critical minerals, defending our nation, building energy systems to meet AI-driven demand and advancing technologies like semiconductors and data centers,” Dimon added. “Our support of clients in these industries remains unwavering.”
   The firm says it will hire more bankers, investment professionals and other experts to address this initiative and will create an external advisory council of experienced leaders from the public and private sectors to help guide the long-term strategy.
   The announcement comes amid the Trump Administration’s push to revitalize America’s maritime shipbuilding sectors to better compete with China. An April 9th executive order, titled “Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance,” addresses a critical national security concern, with the United States currently constructing less than one percent of commercial ships globally, while China produces approximately half.
   “Hopefully, once again, as America has in the past, we will all come together to address these immense challenges,” Dimon concluded. “We need to act now.”