Tim S. Dool lightering to begin this week

The process to lighter and refloat the grounded Tim S. Dool reached a benchmark on Saturday after plans were accepted and Algoma contracted with Ocean Group for equipment/tugs.

On Monday, equipment will be inspected to determine agricultural requirements are met since it is grain that is being unloaded. This is expected to occur in Sorel. Once inspections are completed and clearance is given then the fleet will begin upbound. Expect for midweek arrival on scene and the process beginning soon after. There are expected to be a number of vessels onsite throughout the process.

In addition to Ocean equipment, it’s likely there will be equipment from Picton’s Doornekamp operation.  Offloaded grain will be moved to Quebec.

Once the ship is determined to be at a point of removal from the shoal, crews will pull it free and the ship will then move to anchorage for further inspection

St. Lawrence Seaway Shipwatchers Network

Federal Yoshino damaged at Thunder Bay

On Sunday, the Fednav vessel Federal Yoshina sustained serious damage to her rudder after backing into part of the Lafarge dock while attempting to leave Thunder Bay Terminals. She was towed over to Keefer Terminal. Waterfront reports indicate the new Federal Michigan is going up to tie up alongside to unload her cargo.

OBITUARY: Capt. Don Langlois  1937 – 2024

Langlois, Donald (Captain Don), passed peacefully with his family at his side on December 6th, 2024 at the St. Catharines General Hospital in his 87th year.

Don commenced his seafaring career in 1953 and worked his way through the ranks to Captain. He joined the Great Lakes Pilotage Authority in 1972 as a Marine Pilot and retired in 2002. He served on the board of directors of the Pilotage Authority from 1996 to 2007. Don was a member and past president of the Corporation of Professional Great Lakes Pilots, member of the International Shipmasters Association and former member of the Canadian Marine Pilots and Canadian Merchant Service Guild.

Beloved husband of Carole for 63 years. Loving father of sons Danny (Laurie), Kerry (Julie), Terry (Joan). Loving grandpa to Linda, Tyler (Melody), Luke (Bobbie), Wayne (Amber), Jesse (Lindsey), Amy (Richard). Great Grandpapa to Landon, Ava, William and Ellie. Survived by his sisters Gladys and Loraine. Predeceased by his loving wife, his parents Alfred and Dinah, brothers Andrew, Leo, Dawson and sister Elsie.

Don was a loving father, grandfather and great grandpapa. He cherished nothing more than watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren play hockey or figure skate. Both Don and Carole could always be found at games or events, cheering enthusiastically. Don was known for his generosity, often offering a little extra for every goal scored or assist made.

Family and friends will be received at George Darte Funeral Chapel, 585 Carlton Street, St. Catharines on Thursday, December 12 from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00pm with prayers beginning at 3:00pm. Funeral Mass to be celebrated at St. Alfred Roman Catholic Church, 272 Vine St., St. Catharines on Friday, December 13 at 11:00am followed by Rite of Committal at Victoria Lawn Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Cancer, Heart and Stroke Foundation or charity of your choice.

Seaway investing millions into Welland Canal infrastructure

The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. is investing $180 million in maintaining and upgrading locks and bridges along the Welland Canal over the next three years.

The investment also includes improving energy infrastructure and upgrading mechanical and structural systems to extend the lifespan of its critical assets, said a seaway news release.

It’s also investing more than $170 million in the Montreal to Lake Ontario section of the St. Lawrence Seaway System to carry out the same work to enhance critical infrastructure, ensure strong supply chain links and provide reliable transportation for goods.

“This investment reflects our commitment to providing a resilient and sustainable supply chain for Canadians,” said Jim Athanasiou, seaway president and chief executive officer.

He said by enhancing the reliability of the seaway’s infrastructure, it’s also highlighting its vital role in ensuring goods reach their destinations efficiently while supporting innovation and sustainability in marine transportation.

While the seaway announced the investment, which spans from this past April until March 31, 2027, it also set closing dates for the 2024 shipping season.

Nicole Giroux-Laplante, the seaway’s manager of media relations and communications, said the canal closes Jan. 10 and the Montreal to Lake Ontario section Jan. 5.

The 2023 shipping season on the eight-lock, 43-kilometre-long waterway between lakes Ontario and Erie closed Jan. 7, ending a five-year pilot program to stay open longer.

“Incremental adjustments like this help ensure predictability for our users. Major maintenance work is conducted during the winter, outside of the navigation season, to keep the system reliable and sustainable,” she said in an email.

Bruce Burrows, Chamber of Marine Commerce president and chief executive officer, said the temporary closure of seaway operations does create a valuable and predictable opportunity for ship operators to conduct maintenance on their vessels.

He said the later closing date is beneficial for shippers who utilize the seaway to move vital commodities, as additional days mean there are more opportunities to move cargo.

“Generally lighter ice conditions in the seaway system in recent years was one factor in enabling the seaway to explore later closing dates to benefit users of the system.”

However, Burrows said it would be helpful to establish firm opening and closing dates as early as possible in the year — during the pilot project, dates for extended operations were announced in November — and to have those dates incorporate what was learned about successfully extending operations in prior years.

“Variable season opening and closing dates for the seaway can make it difficult to engage in optimal cargo planning and vessel scheduling, and therefore prevent companies from fully benefiting from season extension.”

Burrows said U.S. federal regulations on navigation and navigable waters sets March 25 as the opening date and Jan. 15 as the closing date for the Sault Ste. Marie (Soo) lock operating season.

The U.S. lock allows vessels to travel between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes.

“These dates are fixed, other than in the event of an emergency, as decided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Adopting a similar approach with confirmed start and end dates in other areas of the seaway would be most beneficial,” said Burrows.

Ship Chasing Photographer Now
Sails Aboard the Wilfred Sykes

Mike Novak’s maritime roots are deep. His grandfather sailed on the Edmund Fitzgerald from 1961-64 before being drafted to Vietnam. His great-uncle sailed the Great Lakes for many years for Columbia Transportation before retiring in 2008.

From the title of his photography page “Don’t Slow Down”, one can deduce he is a man of many passions: 50k races, hunting, photography, cycling, now sailing the Great Lakes aboard the Wilfred Sykes. “This is my first ship and my first ship job,” Mike states, adding “I came on as a wiper with the intent to work my way up.”

Read Mike’s story and see his amazing photos at https://destinationduluth.org/shipchasing-photographer-now-sails-aboard-the-wilfred-sykes/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHClRNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHQPkCNCdszIZrYy-pPvsParOxvrjE2BmsHI0BDwNP1HLc4x5S_Qje3bqOQ_aem_2mG2NOoUmbUiQgCfvQTxlQ

Tallest lighthouse on Great Lakes looking for 2025 volunteer keepers

EMMET COUNTY, MI –  There’s two open positions on the most remote, tallest lighthouse on Lake Michigan. An ideal applicant has more than just a great sense of adventure if they’re going to make it at White Shoal Lighthouse.

Are you good with open waters? Your 90-minute commute will likely have sea spray, but the big lake is your backyard. How about heights − does the thought of climbing off a boat onto a 22-foot vertical ladder make you queasy or excited? Don’t forget the stairs. Lots of stairs. You’ll be regularly climbing 143 steps from the boathouse to the lantern room, and then some.

If you’re checking all these boxes then read on for a unique mission.

The White Shoal Lighthouse Preservation Society is looking for a first and second assistant lighthouse keeper for weeklong spots May to September 2025.

The candy-cane striped lighthouse is perched in the waters of the Mackinac Straits some 20 miles west of the Mackinac Bridge. Standing at 125 feet tall, White Shoal is the tallest lighthouse in the Great Lakes.

Volunteers are responsible for meals, repairs and maintenance during their time at the lighthouse. They’ll also be present for overnight guests in August and September.

Applications will open on Jan. 1, 2025 and remain open for one month. The volunteer fee is $250. Additionally, volunteers are given a grocery list of items to bring to White Shoal during their assigned rotation.

If you’re interested in visiting or volunteering at White Shoal Lighthouse visit preservewhiteshoal.org.

Read more at this M Live link: https://www.mlive.com/life/2024/12/tallest-lighthouse-on-great-lakes-looking-for-2025-volunteer-keepers.html