Public Access Restricted for Soo Locks Engineers Day

Detroit, MI – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in conjunction with the event’s federal, state, and local public safety partners are changing public access for this year’s Soo Locks Engineers Day event on June 27. 

Out of an abundance of caution, in light of uncontrollable circumstances and in order to prioritize public safety, visitor access will be limited to Canal Park. Access in and around active Soo Locks operations will not be allowed.

“We acknowledge this is disappointing and acknowledge the importance of this event to the community, which is why we coordinated closely with our public safety partners to permit the event to still take place” said Soo Locks Operations Manager LeighAnn Ryckeghem. “All public activities and displays will be concentrated within Canal Park which includes the observation platform to view vessels and the visitor center.”

These changes are being implemented as a precautionary measure to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees.  

The United States Coast Guard will be supporting and participating but will no longer be holding an open house for Engineers Day due to updated security protocols.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District

Freighter crashes into East Bank of the Flats, becomes stuck

CLEVELAND (WJW) – Overnight, a freighter crashed into the East Bank of the Flats and became stuck, temporarily blocking part of the Cuyahoga River.

Officials said at about 12:30 a.m. on Friday, the 406-foot Sunnanvik, carrying 3,500 tons of powdered cement, was trying to back into a dock when it hit the boardwalk and became wedged between the east and west banks of the river. The freighter is owned by Eureka Shipping.

Shortly after 6 a.m., two Great Lakes Towing Co, tugs arrived on the scene and towed the vessel to the Holcim dock to unload. The river has since reopened for all vessel traffic. There were no injuries, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The U.S. Coast Guard said the captain is very familiar with the river and the route. At the time of the crash, the river’s current was extremely high following recent rains.

The cause of the grounding is still under investigation. The boat and the dock will be assessed to determine if they’re safe and what repairs need to be made.

Fox 8

Michigan Maritime Museum offering Great Lakes research cruises

June 20, 2025 

The Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven is offering a rare chance to step into the role of a Great Lakes scientist with some expedition cruises coming up this month.

The museum’s Ashley Deming tells us this will be a limited-engagement event in partnership with the Annis Water Resources Institute, giving everyone a chance to climb aboard the W.G. Jackson, a working research vessel, to join researchers collecting Lake Michigan data.

“Any passenger that’s able to get aboard these cruises that we’re doing is going to join real scientists in collecting water samples,” Deming said. “So you’re citizen scientists learning about ecology of Lake Michigan and the Black River, a little bit about the history, and a little bit of human impact and history that affects our ecosystem. So it’s a great opportunity to be able to do some real science with some real Great Lake scientists.”

Deming says the Annis Water Resources Institute offers the cruises to help educate the public about ways the Great Lakes are protected.

There will be cruises on June 26, 27, and 28, each with room for 33 guests. Each cruise will include hands-on experiments, water sampling at a Lake Michigan research station, education with AWRI scientists, and a behind-the-scenes look at Great Lakes conservation.

Those who are interested in the cruises can sign up online.   https://michiganmaritimemuseum.org/event/

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Freighter crashes into East Bank of the Flats, becomes stuck

CLEVELAND (WJW) – Overnight, a freighter crashed into the East Bank of the Flats and became stuck, temporarily blocking part of the Cuyahoga River.

Officials said at about 12:30 a.m. on Friday, the 406-foot Sunnanvik, carrying 3,500 tons of powdered cement, was trying to back into a dock when it hit the boardwalk and became wedged between the east and west banks of the river. The freighter is owned by Eureka Shipping.

Shortly after 6 a.m., two Great Lakes Towing Co, tugs arrived on the scene and towed the vessel to the Holcim dock to unload. The river has since reopened for all vessel traffic. There were no injuries, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The U.S. Coast Guard said the captain is very familiar with the river and the route. At the time of the crash, the river’s current was extremely high following recent rains.

The cause of the grounding is still under investigation. The boat and the dock will be assessed to determine if they’re safe and what repairs need to be made.

Fox 8

Michigan history grant supports Neebish
Island’s preservation of Lookout #4

NEEBISH ISLND, MI – The America250MI Committee has awarded the Neebish Island Historical Society $5,000 as a part of the first round of the America250MI History Grant Program for Shipmates of Lookout #4 Restoration Project.

Lookout #4 is the last of seven lookouts used in the late 1800s and 1900s to track ships in the Lower St. Marys River system and is located in Barbeau, MI. The project goal is to restore the lookout before nature takes what remains and to educate vacationers and residents about its history and role in the navigation of the shipping industry.

The America250MI History Grant Program is funding projects that will help preserve Michigan’s history for future generations. The grant program represents a key element of the state’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

In 2020, Governor Whitmer directed the Historical Society of Michigan and the Michigan History Center to coordinate the state’s commemoration of the anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. The two organizations created the America250MI Committee to aid and advise this effort.

America250MI is Michigan’s statewide committee tasked with commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, the American Revolution’s role in Michigan’s history and the impact that these, and various historical events, have had on the people of Michigan’s past, present and future.

Established in 1828, the Historical Society of Michigan is Michigan’s oldest cultural organization and helps connect Michigan’s past to its residents and organizations through programs and events, publications, awards, workshops, networking opportunities and support for local history organizations. The society is a member-supported educational 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and receives zero state-appropriated funding.

The Michigan History Center fosters curiosity, enjoyment and inspiration rooted in Michigan’s stories through museums, historic sites, Michigan Historical Markers, heritage trails, archaeology and programming. The center, a part of the Department of Natural Resources, manages 11 museums statewide, museum and archaeology artifact collections and various educational programs.

$95.3 million awarded to complete Phase 3 of New Lock at the Soo

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District’s New Lock at the Soo project in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., has awarded a total of $95.3 million for remaining Phase 3 options to Kokosing Alberici Traylor, LLC (KAT) of Westerville, Ohio.

The remaining Phase 3 options include Option 4: Downstream Work ($44.9 million), Option 5: Hands Free Mooring ($24.2 million), and Option 6: Downstream Ship Arrestors ($26.2 million).

Negotiated pricing on the remaining Phase 3 options was set to expire in September 2025.

“With an early award of the remaining Phase 3 options, the project continues to be on track for completion in 2030,” said Detroit District’s Senior Civilian Kevin McDaniels.

The New Lock at the Soo project is being built in 3 phases. Phase 1 (Upstream Channel Deepening) was completed in 2022 and Phase 2 (Upstream Approach Walls) was completed in 2024. The Phase 3 contract was awarded to KAT in July 2022 with a base contract at $1.068 billion. Awarding the base contract allowed the contractor to begin work in 2022 with the remaining work (contract options), to be awarded over the next three years.

“The leadership team throughout the Corps of Engineers have made the New Lock at the Soo project a national priority and we have continued to see strong support every step along the way,” said McDaniels.

Construction of Phase 3 began in late 2022, and given continued efficient funding is expected to last seven years. The New Lock at the Soo will be constructed in the footprint of the Sabin Lock and will be the same size as the Poe Lock (1,200 feet long, 110 feet wide and 32 feet deep).

“The contractor has completed nearly $600 million worth of work through the end of May 2025,” said New Lock at the Soo Senior Project Manager Mollie Mahoney. “With the ongoing new concrete monoliths construction, the new lock walls are beginning to take shape on the downstream end of the project site. Demolition of the existing Sabin Lock concrete continues, and bedrock excavation in the footprint of the new lock chamber is steadily progressing. In the Davis Lock, the New Pump Well walls are being constructed, and the remainder of the chamber continues to be filled with excavated material.”

The main focus of construction over the next year will continue to be concrete monolith placement as well as Sabin Lock demolition and bedrock excavation.

The Soo Locks allow vessels to transit the 21-foot elevation change at the St. Marys Falls Canal. Over 88 percent of commodity tonnage through the Soo Locks is restricted by vesse size to the Poe Lock. The New Lock at the Soo project will construct a second Poe-sized lock.

The Soo Locks are essential to U.S. manufacturing and National Security, the New Lock at the Soo project will provide resiliency for this critical node in the Great Lakes Navigation System. A 2015 Department of Homeland Security study estimates a six-month Poe Lock closure would temporarily reduce the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) by $1.1 trillion, resulting in the loss of 11 million jobs.

Corps of Engineers

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  Tug Robinson Bay Arrives at Traverse City

The tug Robinson Bay arrives at Traverse City on Wednesday for service at the Great Lakes Maritime Academy.

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Oberstar underway for Superior shipyard

MONDAY UPDATE, 10 A.M. – The Oberstar arrived at the Duluth Entry around 10 am Monday with an escort from Duluth-based USCGC SPAR. A large crowd was on hand for its arrival. The laker will unload its Tilden fluxstone at CN-Hallett Dock 5 before shifting to Fraser Shipyards for inspection and repair.

ORIGINAL REPORT: After reviewing engineering assessments of the M/V Hon. James L. Oberstar, the Hay Lake Marine Casualty Unified Command (UC) with advisement from the Army Corps of Engineers and the Salvage Engineering Response Team (SERT) from the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Center determined that the vessel is structurally sound and fit to make the 28-hour transit from Carbide Dock to Fraser Shipyards in Superior, Wisc. Once the vessel arrives at the shipyard, a containment boom will be ready to deploy as needed. 

“This incident is not complete until the vessel is safe and secure at Fraser Shipyard,” says U.S. Coast Guard Captain James Bendle, Federal On-Scene Coordinator for the Hay Lake Marine Casualty Unified Command.

“Everyone supporting this response is highly focused on ensuring that personnel aboard and escorting the vessel are safe, that our waterways and wildlife are protected, and that any impacts to economic activity are mitigated.”

SUNDAY UPDATE: Oberstar underway
for Superior shipyard

After reviewing engineering assessments of the M/V Hon. James L. Oberstar, the Hay Lake Marine Casualty Unified Command (UC) with advisement from the Army Corps of Engineers and the Salvage Engineering Response Team (SERT) from the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Center determined that the vessel is structurally sound and fit to make the 28-hour transit from Carbide Dock to Fraser Shipyards in Superior, Wisc. Once the vessel arrives at the shipyard, a containment boom will be ready to deploy as needed. 

“This incident is not complete until the vessel is safe and secure at Fraser Shipyard,” says U.S. Coast Guard Captain James Bendle, Federal On-Scene Coordinator for the Hay Lake Marine Casualty Unified Command.

“Everyone supporting this response is highly focused on ensuring that personnel aboard and escorting the vessel are safe, that our waterways and wildlife are protected, and that any impacts to economic activity are mitigated.”

Oberstar now at Carbide Dock in Sault, MI

 On Saturday, the Hon. James L. Oberstar, damaged after a grounding a week ago on the lower St. Marys River near Johnson Point, got underway upbound from the Hay Lake Anchorage around 7:30 a.m. with an AIS destination of Superior, WI. She didn’t get far, coming to a stop for undisclosed reasons near Frechette Point, three miles below Mission Point.

 Since that area is too narrow for vessels to meet, the river was closed to traffic. By noon she was moving again with the tug Adanac III on the bow and Colorado on the starboard side. The Oberstar was taken to the Carbide Dock, where fuel trucks greeted her. At 10 p.m. Saturday she was still there.

 As soon as the Oberstar was moored, Soo Traffic reopened the river.

There is at yet no word on what caused the initial grounding or the extent of damages. There were no reported injuries or pollution.

 U.S. Coast Guard responds to National Park
Service vessel grounding at Hancock, Michigan

 SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – A U.S. Coast Guard Station Portage 45-foot Response Boat-

Medium crew responded to a 25-foot National Park Service (NPS) vessel that ran aground, with six people aboard, at the north end of the Keweenaw Upper Entrance break wall in Hancock, Michigan, on Saturday.

 Sector Northern Great Lakes received the initial report at 12:48 a.m. Station Portage crew arrived on scene and embarked two people, then transported them to EMS at Lily Pond Boat Launch. Station Portage crew returned to the scene afterward to transport the remaining NPS Rangers.

 The NPS vessel was secured to the break wall and salvage options were scheduled for evaluation Saturday.

Wreckage of a ship, on display on Sheboygan’s lakefront, was pulled from Lake Michigan’s icy waters in the 1990s

SHEBOYGAN – The Lottie Cooper was built when three-masted cargo ships were common on the Great Lakes, moving goods from port to port.

According to Sheboygan Press clippings provided by the Sheboygan County Historical Research Center, in 1876, the Lottie Cooper was constructed in Manitowoc. She would spend the next 18 years at sea on the lake, hauling lumber from various ports to Sheboygan to serve the need of lumber-hungry factories in the city.

She was part of the fleet operated by Edward Groh at the time. That fleet included the schooners Lottie Cooper, Evening Star, Joseph Duvall and Quickstep. Tugs Sheboygan, Satisfaction and Peter Reiss were also an important part of the fleet. The job of the tugs was towing schooners and scows into the Sheboygan Harbor before the north breakwater construction.

Unfortunately, Lake Michigan storms have caused the demise of many fine vessels over the years, including the Lottie Cooper.

The late historian Jan Hildebrand, in a Press story about the Lottie Cooper in 1994, reported: “It was the night of April 9, 1894, when the schooner found itself in trouble about 250 yards offshore of Sheboygan. A heavy gale was blowing and Captain Fred Lorenz ordered the anchor dropped. The crew lit torches to call for help but onshore the lifesaving crews could barely make out the ship.”

Since they saw no distress signal, the men assumed the ship was in no danger.

By dawn, the schooner had been blown into the breakers near shore and part of the superstructure had torn away.

Capt. Lorenz finally ordered the American flag hoisted upside down, a universal distress signal.

The lifesaving crew launched its surf boat immediately, but the Lottie Cooper had begun to capsize. Lumber, stacked on the deck, slid into the lake, and the crew jumped into the water, grabbing for the floating timber.

The lifeboat was unable to get through the churning wreckage and had to turn back.

A half-hour later, a tug led another surf boat through the debris and rescued five men — Capt. Lorenz; first mate William Charlevoix; Charles Esbach; August Pegelow; and Barney Haynes. A sixth man, Norwegian sailor Edward Olson, drowned and was the first death of the 1894 shipping season.

Wreckage floated from the lake to shore all day after the sinking of the boat. By the time the Telegram published the news, everyone already knew about the tragedy.

For many years after the sinking of the Lottie Cooper, part of its hull protruded above the surface of the water.

Nearly 100 years after its sinking, during the construction of the Sheboygan Marina in the 1990s, the white-oak remains of the hull were pulled from the tenacious grip of the harbor’s depths. At the time, the oak on some portions of the wreckage looked like new wood as the icy waters of the lake preserved the planks.

In the summer of 1993, the remains of the Lottie Cooper were put on educational display at the lakefront along Broughton Drive, where she continues to tell the story of early maritime shipping near Sheboygan.

The two sides of the ship that were recovered are positioned 27 feet apart, the original width of the vessel.

Signs at the display tell the story of the ship’s construction details and of the early days of Sheboygan’s role in Great Lakes shipping of goods and people.

Today, she serves as a nostalgic reminder that 145 years ago she was a grand sight on the horizon of Lake Michigan, usually delivering loads of lumber to Sheboygan factories.

UPDATE,11 A.M. SATURDAY: Hon. The Hon. James L. Oberstar stopped for unknown reasons near Frechette Point on her way upbound from the Hay Lake Anchorage, closing the river to traffic. By noon she was moving slowly with the tug Adenac III on the bow and Colorado on the starboard side. AIS is changed to SOO, which probably means the Carbide Dock. Waterfront reports indicate the Oberstar may have lost power on one engine. This is a developing story, check back for details.

UPDATE, 8 A.M. SATURDAY: The Hon. James L. Oberstar got underway upobound from the Hay Lake Anchorage around 7:30 a.m., with an AIS destination of Superior, WI.

Oberstar being readied for move to Fraser Shipyards

SAULT STE MARIE, Mich. – Responders are preparing the M/V Hon. James L. Oberstar for safe transit from Hay Lake Anchorage to Fraser Shipyards in Superior, WI.

Personnel aboard M/V Hon. James L. Oberstar transferred 4,500 net tons of limestone to the M/V Kaye E. Barker to increase the draft of the vessel and allow divers to complete assessments of damage to its hull. The Hay Lake Marine Casualty Unified Command (UC) is reviewing the

assessments to determine a prudent course of action to facilitate the safe transit of the vessel to Fraser Shipyards.

To date, personnel aboard the vessel completed a transfer of 16,000 gallons of fuel and oily water to temporary storage aboard an adjacent barge. Marine pollution mitigation teams were on-scene throughout the transfer and remain ready to respond to any signs of a discharge of the remaining maximum capacity of 92,000 gallons of fuel and other product contained in the vessel.

On-water and aerial surveys of the area around and downriver from the anchorage report no signs of discharges from the vessel. 600 feet of containment boom and approximately 400 feet of sorbent boom remains strategically arranged around the stern of the M/V Hon. James L. Oberstar, and a Current Buster 2 is staged on-site ready to rapidly deploy if needed.

Approximately 140 personnel are on-site and supporting the UC to ensure the safety of the public and responders, protect wildlife and the environment, ensure economic activities in the area are minimally affected, and to safely transit the vessel from Hay Lake Anchorage.

The UC consists of the U.S. Coast Guard, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Chippewa County, and Interlake Steamship Company. Multiple federal, state, local and partner organizations are also assisting in the response.

USCG

Mackinac Island fears ‘economic strangulation’ by ferry. Will Lansing step in?

MACKINAC ISLAND — Over 1 million travelers are spending more this summer to reach Michigan’s iconic vacation destination, and the officials fear price increases on the only ferries to the island could be devastating.

New fees could push the cost of a family day trip to the island to upwards of $200, the result of a Florida company, The Hoffmann Family of Companies, gaining a monopoly on ferries to one of Michigan’s top tourist attractions.

Nowadays, when friends or family visit him on the island, “You’re into this for a lot of money,” bookstore owner Joe Brandonisio told Bridge Michigan.

In response, state Sen. John Damoose, R-Harbor Springs, introduced Senate Bill 304 in May that would allow the island to change its city charter to control “all aspects of ferry service.”

The fear, Damoose said, is that “families are beginning to consider whether they can afford to go over to Mackinac Island.”

Tickets to the island are $38, despite the island government saying Florida-based Hoffmann had to hold the price to $36. The ferry operator also added unregulated charges: Passengers pay a $3 convenience fee, plus extra for bringing a bicycle or to skip the line. Some parking fees increased, too.

Mackinac Island “believes if it is to be saved from economic strangulation by this Florida based company, and Michigan tourists are to be saved from being ripped off, we need to amend this charter,” Dennis Cawthorne, a former state representative and Mackinac Island resident, said Thursday as the Senate Committee on Regulatory Affairs considered Damoose’s bill.

“The Hoffmann family’s unwavering dedication to Mackinac is rooted in a deep respect for its history, a passion for its preservation, and a vision for its thriving future,” Geoff Hoffman, co-CEO of the Hoffman Family of Companies, said in an emailed statement. “We are proud to contribute to this incredible community through our commitment to excellent service for Mackinac Island visitors, workers and residents.”

Chris Shepler, president of Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry Service, testified the price hikes were necessary to continue established service and maintenance. Now an employee of Hoffmann, he and his family sold the three-generation ferry business to Hoffmann in 2022.

Running fast ferries, including maintaining the docks and parking lots, “is not cheap,” Shepler said.

Red the full story here: https://www.bridgemi.com/business-watch/mackinac-island-fears-economic-strangulation-ferry-will-lansing-step?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

Canada’s Davie to Acquire Texas Shipyards,
Seeking to Supercharge U.S. Icebreaker Production

Canadian shipbuilder Davie has announced plans to acquire shipbuilding assets in Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas from Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corporation, marking a significant expansion into the U.S. shipbuilding sector.

The acquisition, expected to close in summer 2025, remains subject to various conditions, including negotiations with the Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees. For Davie, the move represents a strategic step in addressing America’s critical icebreaker shortage. The U.S. currently operates only three Arctic-ready vessels, while Russia maintains a fleet of nearly 50. Both Russia and China have increased their presence in the region.

We share a vision with Gulf Copper to make Texas a world-class hub for American icebreaker and complex ship production,” said James Davies, President and CEO of Davie. “Texas is ready to lead a new Golden Age of American shipbuilding—backed by our commitment to delivering ships on time, on budget, and in service of national security priorities.”

The expansion aligns with the recently established ICE Pact, a trilateral agreement between the United States, Canada, and Finland announced in July 2024. This collaboration aims to enhance polar icebreaker production while strengthening economic, climate, and national security interests in contested polar regions.

Davie brings significant expertise to the U.S. market through its extensive shipbuilding experience. The company’s Helsinki Shipyard in Finland has contributed to more than half of the global icebreaker fleet, while its Canadian operations have produced over 720 specialized vessels since 1825.

Gulf Copper CEO Steve Hale welcomed the acquisition, noting it would mark the return of complex shipbuilding to Galveston and Port Arthur “for the first time in decades”.

The transaction fulfills Davie’s July 2024 commitment to establish a permanent presence in America.

The project includes a planned $1 billion investment to upgrade and expand the Texas facilities, with projections indicating the creation of approximately 4,000 American jobs – 2,000 directly at Gulf Copper and another 2,000 throughout the supply chain.

The acquisition is strategically positioned to support key U.S. initiatives, including the President Trump’s establishment of a Maritime Action Plan, the recently reintroduced Ships for America Act, and the ongoing U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Security Cutter program. The Coast Guard’s broader strategic vision includes building a fleet of eight to nine polar icebreakers, supporting the President Trump’s stated initiative to acquire at least 40 new icebreakers.

In April, the U.S. Coast Guard issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input from both domestic and international shipyards on the feasibility of building up to three medium-sized icebreakers, with construction starting within a year and launch within three years by utilizing a commercial vessel construction model.

Davie said its production-ready icebreaker designs, which meet U.S. mission requirements, promise faster delivery and improved cost efficiency for American taxpayers.

The acquisition comes as the Coast Guard’s Polar Security Cutter program, has faced numerous challenges, with construction timelines and costs more than doubling since the initial contract signing in 2019. Construction of the first heavy icebreaker in the program is underway at Bollinger Shipbuilding in Mississippi, with delivery now expected in early 2030—more than six years beyond the initial target.

In March, Davie was awarded a major contract to construct a new polar icebreaker for the Canadian Government, with delivery expected by 2030. The vessel, dubbed the Polar Max, will leverage expertise from Helsinki Shipyard, which Davie acquired in 2023.

Gulf Copper, with over 75 years of experience in marine and offshore industries, currently operates shipyards, dry docks, and fabrication facilities across the Gulf Coast, serving various sectors including oil and gas, marine transportation, petrochemical, and government.

The transaction has garnered support from stakeholders in both Texas and Washington, D.C., as Davie works to expedite the closing process.

Source: gCaptain

Oberstar offloading concludes; Kaye E. Barker heads to Marquette

SAULT STE.MARIE, MI – The grounded cargo vessel Hon. James L. Oberstar began transferring its load to fleet mate Kaye E. Barker Thursday morning as part of recovery efforts following a recent grounding.

The Barker took off around 3,000 tons of limestone, fuel and waste and departed around 5 p.m. for Marquette to unload, according to transmissions made to Soo Traffic. Oberstar remained in the Hay Lake Anchorage as crews work on a temporary hull patch, after which she will go to Marquette to finish the unload. Marquette was the Oberstar’s original destination.

After unloading it is assumed the Oberstar will head to Fraser Shipyards in Superior, WI, for repairs.

The Oberstar has been anchored around 10 miles downriver of the Soo Locks since Sunday afternoon. Interlake Steamship Co., the owner of the Oberstar, stated earlier this week that the freighter had grounded near Johnson Point on the east end of Neebish Island. The Oberstar eventually anchored several miles upriver from that incident.

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) officials said once the load is lightened, divers will be able to assess the damage to the Oberstar. The USCG conducted a pollution watch while flying alongside members of the Canadian Coast Guard in a Canadian helicopter.

Jim Lehocky, Soo Leader

S.S. Badger launches Shoreline Cruises in Manitowoc

The S.S. Badger is offering new ways to enjoy Lake Michigan this summer without making the full cross-lake journey.

The historic ferry is launching shoreline cruises and mini weekend getaways that provide travelers with unique experiences on the water.

Watch the broadcast story here: https://www.nbc26.com/lakeshore/s-s-badger-launches-cruises-in-manitowoc?fbclid=IwY2xjawK3w6dleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFrZ3htQjVYOFFYdzI3UkRzAR7c90QCCgPA2laxskXq0eq9p7ZXiUrEHg9awGB2_-SM5mgA9DLehGGy9Qiogw_aem_i2qxabpNCx1UektfpG0R7g

The first shoreline cruise of the season begins this Saturday. The two-hour trip offers scenic views of the Lake Michigan coastline and activities for passengers of all ages.

“Some of the amenities that we offer are live entertainment, our Badger Bingo which is really what we’re known for, and then we have a game room for the kids as well as a play area, and a movie theater where we show different movies throughout the day,” said Laurie Wrolson, ticket agent for the SS Badger.

Three additional shoreline cruises are scheduled throughout the summer, with mini cruises starting in July.

For those looking for a longer experience, the S.S. Badger also offers weekend getaways that allow travelers to explore both Michigan and Wisconsin shores without the long drive around the lake.

“We do have our round trip mini cruises. Our passengers can travel round trip from Manitowoc to Ludington and then back within 48 hours without a vehicle,” said Purser Lead Charlotte Wodsedalek.

The mini cruises include amenities such as a movie theater, cash bar, meals, Badger bingo, and panoramic shoreline views.

NBC 26

Senator secures commitment for timely completion of Soo Locks construction

WASHINGTON, DC – During a hearing in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) secured a commitment from key U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) officials to prioritize the timely completion of the ongoing Soo Locks construction project. In his questioning, Peters emphasized the importance of this critical project for U.S. economic and national security.

“To put things into perspective, just a six-month unscheduled outage at the Soo would result in an estimated 11 million jobs lost and a $1.1 trillion hit to the economy. I think that’s a classic definition of critical infrastructure,” said Senator Peters during the hearing. “The bottom line is, we need a second Poe-sized lock to alleviate this risk, and I’ve been leading the charge with a lot of my colleagues for quite some time.”

In response, Mr. D. Lee Forsgren, Acting Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Army (Civil Works) said, “As you so articulately laid out, it is the backbone of the economy of this country, and we cannot afford as a nation to let that happen. I commit we will be looking at ways forward to enhance that system.”

Peters also applauded the $264 million included in the 2025 Army Corps Work Plan and Budget Request, which he recently led the bipartisan Michigan delegation in advocating for. This funding would allow the USACE to award the final remaining contracts needed to finish the project at their current cost. 

“It was great to see the funding in the work plan allowing us to hit those final three options,” said Lt. Gen. William H. Graham, Jr., Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “We’re never going to get better prices than what we had locked in to finish those last three options up at the Soo. I’m heading up there in a few weeks to make sure that there are no surprises up there and that the team on the ground has everything they need to continue to deliver, and I think we’re on track for 2030, which is exciting.”

Peters has prioritized securing the funding necessary to build a new Poe-sized Lock at the Soo Locks. In 2024, he toured the ongoing construction project after helping to secure $257.4 million for the project in government funding legislation. In January 2022, Peters helped to secure $479 million for modernizing the Soo Locks through the bipartisan infrastructure law. In December 2022, he helped pass the bipartisan Water Resources and Development Act as part of the annual national defense bill, including needed funding flexibility for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to keep the New Lock at the Soo project on schedule.

Office of U.S. Senator Gary Peters

ArcelorMittal closing wire drawing mill in Hamilton in latest industry blow

HAMILTON – Canada’s steel industry was hit with further layoff news Wednesday as ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada announced it is closing its wire drawing mill in Hamilton.

The decision puts 153 employees out of work and adds to the hundreds of workers in the industry already hit by a combination of tariff concerns, market demand and cheap imports coming into the market.

ArcelorMittal did not mention the 50 per cent tariffs the U.S. has imposed on Canadian steel products in its decision to consolidate its wire operations in Montreal, but did cite the wider pressures.

“Despite our best efforts, the ongoing economic challenges, increased steel imports in Canada, and market conditions made it clear that we needed to reduce our operating footprint,” said spokesman Jean-Philippe Grou in a statement.

He said the decision came after the company thoroughly looked at the alternatives, and the focus is now on supporting employees.

Mike Hnatjuk, president of United Steelworkers Local 5328 that represents workers at the mill acknowledged the operation was already facing challenges, including steel dumping from China. He said the U.S. tariffs were “a nail in the coffin” for the mill, but that the company said it could have happened anyway.

“They were saying even without, even if the tariffs weren’t here, there is a high possibility that this was going to happen.”

He noted the company relies heavily on the automotive sector, which in Canada is also under intense pressure from tariffs.

Hnatjuk, who expects to begin talks with the company regarding a closure agreement next week, said he’s been told the company plans to stop operations by the end of the month.

“We have stuff in our collective agreement that we hope that they’re going to follow and they’re going to offer and are we most definitely going to try to get what’s best for all this,” he said.

Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath said in a statement that she is deeply concerned for the workers affected.

“This is a serious blow to our community, with immediate and lasting impacts on people’s lives,” said Horwath.

“This closure underscores the urgent need for action from the federal government.”

The Canadian Steel Producers Association has been pushing the federal government to fully reinstate retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. after it doubled tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum to 50 per cent last week.

Efforts to reverse the tariffs hit a setback Tuesday after a U.S. federal appeals court agreed that U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs will remain in place while a case is heard. The decision extends an emergency stay granted after a lower court found the devastating duties unlawful.

The steel producers group says more than 700 workers had already been laid off since the 25 per cent tariffs were imposed in March.

Along with countering U.S. tariffs, the group is also pushing for the government to put tariffs on steel products that originate in China because of allegations of unfair government support.

ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada chief executive Stéphane Brochu said the company’s decision to shut the Hamilton line was necessary to ensure the sustainability its wire drawing business.

“It will allow us to improve our operational efficiency and secure our long-term competitiveness in the demanding wire drawing market,” he said in a statement.

ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada has more than 2,000 employees with operations at multiple sites in Quebec.

The company produces more than two million tonnes of steel that is used in such things as rebar for the construction industry and for leaf springs in light and heavy-duty trucks.

The Canadian Press

Davie to Acquire Texas Shipyards, Seeking to Supercharge U.S. Icebreaker Production

Mike Schuler
June 11, 2025

Canadian shipbuilder Davie announced today its plans to acquire shipbuilding assets in Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas from Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corporation, marking a significant expansion into the U.S. shipbuilding sector.

The acquisition, expected to close in summer 2025, remains subject to various conditions, including negotiations with the Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees. For Davie, the move represents a strategic step in addressing America’s critical icebreaker shortage. The U.S. currently operates only three Arctic-ready vessels, while Russia maintains a fleet of nearly 50. Both Russia and China have increased their presence in the region.

“We share a vision with Gulf Copper to make Texas a world-class hub for American icebreaker and complex ship production,” said James Davies, President and CEO of Davie. “Texas is ready to lead a new Golden Age of American shipbuilding—backed by our commitment to delivering ships on time, on budget, and in service of national security priorities.”

The expansion aligns with the recently established ICE Pact, a trilateral agreement between the United States, Canada, and Finland announced in July 2024. This collaboration aims to enhance polar icebreaker production while strengthening economic, climate, and national security interests in contested polar regions.

Davie brings significant expertise to the U.S. market through its extensive shipbuilding experience. The company’s Helsinki Shipyard in Finland has contributed to more than half of the global icebreaker fleet, while its Canadian operations have produced over 720 specialized vessels since 1825.

Gulf Copper CEO Steve Hale welcomed the acquisition, noting it would mark the return of complex shipbuilding to Galveston and Port Arthur “for the first time in decades”.

The transaction fulfills Davie’s July 2024 commitment to establish a permanent presence in America.

The project includes a planned $1 billion investment to upgrade and expand the Texas facilities, with projections indicating the creation of approximately 4,000 American jobs – 2,000 directly at Gulf Copper and another 2,000 throughout the supply chain.

The acquisition is strategically positioned to support key U.S. initiatives, including the President Trump’s establishment of a Maritime Action Plan, the recently reintroduced Ships for America Act, and the ongoing U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Security Cutter program. The Coast Guard’s broader strategic vision includes building a fleet of eight to nine polar icebreakers, supporting the President Trump’s stated initiative to acquire at least 40 new icebreakers.

In April, the U.S. Coast Guard issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input from both domestic and international shipyards on the feasibility of building up to three medium-sized icebreakers, with construction starting within a year and launch within three years by utilizing a commercial vessel construction model.

Davie said its production-ready icebreaker designs, which meet U.S. mission requirements, promise faster delivery and improved cost efficiency for American taxpayers.

The acquisition comes as the Coast Guard’s Polar Security Cutter program, has faced numerous challenges, with construction timelines and costs more than doubling since the initial contract signing in 2019. Construction of the first heavy icebreaker in the program is underway at Bollinger Shipbuilding in Mississippi, with delivery now expected in early 2030—more than six years beyond the initial target.

In March, Davie was awarded a major contract to construct a new polar icebreaker for the Canadian Government, with delivery expected by 2030. The vessel, dubbed the Polar Max, will leverage expertise from Helsinki Shipyard, which Davie acquired in 2023.

Gulf Copper, with over 75 years of experience in marine and offshore industries, currently operates shipyards, dry docks, and fabrication facilities across the Gulf Coast, serving various sectors including oil and gas, marine transportation, petrochemical, and government.

The transaction has garnered support from stakeholders in both Texas and Washington, D.C., as Davie works to expedite the closing process.

Kaye E. Barker Arrives to Offload Hon. James L. Oberstar Cargo

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – On Wednesday afternoon the Kaye E. Barker arrived and rafted alongside her fleetmate Hon. James L. Oberstar to take on her cargo of limestone. As of Wednesday evening the offloading had not started.

The Oberstar sustained unspecified bottom damage after grounding Sunday near Johnson Point in the East Neebish Channel, according to a release issued by owner Interlake Steamship Co.

The Oberstar has a total maximum capacity 108,000 gallons of fuel and other products. The coast guard said there are no reports of pollution in the water or surrounding area. The Oberstar is currently in the Hay Lake Anchorage.

The USCG cutter Spar and other smaller USCG vessels, as well the tug Wm. Boyd and a barge, are also on scene as part of a Unified Command Coast Guard operation. Anti-pollution equipment has been deployed around the vessel’s stern. There were no injuries on board.

The Hon. James L. Oberstar was originally named the Shenango II, built by the American Ship Building Company, Toledo, Ohio, in 1959 for the Shenango Furnace Co.

The vessel was acquired by Interlake Steamship Co.and renamed Charles M. Beeghly in 1967. In 1972, it was lengthened by 96′ at Fraser Shipyards, Superior, Wis., and in 1981, the ship was converted at the same yard to become a self-unloader capable of discharging cargo at a rate of 6,000 tons per hour.

During its 2008–2009 winter layup at Bay Shipbuilding, Sturgeon Bay, Wis., the ship’s General Electric Co. steam turbine power plant was replaced with two Bergen B:32:40L diesels, and diesel exhaust scrubbers were installed at the same yard in 2015. In 2010, the vessel was renamed Honorable James L. Oberstar.

USCG and local reports

Broadwind Sells Manitowoc Operations

Jun 5, 2025
Local News, Ryan Brahm

Broadwind Inc. has announced that they have sold its Manitowoc industrial fabrication operations.

A Morning Star News article says the company has “entered into a definitive agreement to sell its industrial fabrication operations in Manitowoc for total consideration of not less than $13 million.”

In the article, Broadwind President and CEO Eric Blashford is quoted as saying, “This transaction supports our continued strategic diversification in precision manufacturing toward other key power generation and infrastructure markets…At the same time, we remain committed to serving our key wind customers while consolidating production into our most competitive facility.”

Morning Star News also noted that the transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of 2025.