Slideshow: Great Lakes Maritime Academy shows off State Of Michigan
The training Ship State Of Michigan was docked at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. in celebration of Engineers Day last Friday to educate visitors and draw interest to the Great Lakes Maritime Academy (GLMA) at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, MI.
Cadet Jason Glass is a licensed third mate officer in charge of navicular duties and responsibilities aboard the training ship. He heard a call to the Great Lakes at a rather early age.
“My dad was a Great Lakes captain,” he said. “I grew up hearing all of his stories. Many of them came with a moral lesson, even if they were funny. I saw how being a captain shaped my dad’s character. When I got older, I decided to look for opportunities myself.”
GLMA is designed to prepare its students to operate commercial vessels as merchant marine officers who on the Great Lakes and oceans.
“My goal is to serve as a navigation officer on a Great Lakes commercial freighter,” Glass said. “I’m an Eagle Scout, and I have grown up learning about leadership. I see becoming the captain of a Great Lakes freighter as the pinnacle of my leadership career.”
According to the GLMA website, its deck officer program prepares students to operate commercial ships of unlimited tonnage on the Great Lakes and oceans as merchant marine officer. Deck officers manage deck department, as well as oversee the loading and discharging of cargo. They are responsible for the ship’s business operations. Deck Officer cadets must complete three sea project internships during their academic program. Deck officers may train to become pilots and crew mates.
Glass, who has already learned a lot in his time aboard the State Of Michigan, offered informative public tours on Friday.
“This ship used to be a ship owned by the US Navy,” he said. “It would hunt for submarines. Now, operated by GLMA as a ‘floating classroom.’ The instructors are all retired sailors who teach cadets about ship navigation, operations, and etiquette.”
The training ship’s crew consists of approximately 15 officers, two Instructors, and an average of 50 cadets. It was built in 1985 with a carrying capacity of 910 deadweight (DWT), overall length of 68.28 meters, and width of 13.11 meters.
Soo Leader
New Lock at Soo to host public meeting for blasting activities
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the New Lock at the Soo contractor will host an in-person and virtual public meeting at 6 p.m. on July 10 to inform the public of blasting activities needed for project construction.
The Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, contracted Kokosing Alberici Traylor, LLC (KAT) to complete Phase 3 construction of the New Lock at the Soo. This work includes excavation and installation of a shaft and tunnel scheduled for this year, the Corps of Engineers said in a news release.
Marine traffic on the St. Marys River will not be allowed within 1,000 feet at the time of blast detonations for recreational boats, fishermen, swimmers, and general waterborne public. Red Flag Vessels, transporting bulk fuel or other hazardous materials, will not be allowed within 2,000 feet during blasts.
The Corps of Engineers said it did not anticipate blasting to be conducted on any Sundays at this time. “For 2023 blasting activities, the Corps of Engineers does not anticipate impacts to any public roadways or land areas outside of the Soo Locks facility,” Mick Awbrey, New Lock chief said.
“However, each blast will be evaluated to ensure the safety of the public. During blasting, guards will be posted at all access points to ensure no persons will be allowed within 300 feet of the blast radius.”
Marine traffic on the St. Marys River will not be allowed within 1,000 feet at the time of any blast detonations for recreational boats, fishermen, swimmers, and the “general waterborne public.” Red Flag Vessels, transporting bulk fuel or other hazardous materials, will not be allowed within 2,000 feet during blasts.
All exclusion zones are coordinated with the Soo Locks Lockmaster as well as the United States Coast Guard.
“Prior to blasting, an airhorn will be sounded five long times indicating that the blast will occur in five minutes. At one minute before a blast, an airhorn will be sounded five short times. Then the blast will be detonated.”
After the detonation the master blaster will confirm the completion of the blast and give the ‘all clear’ consisting of one long sound from an airhorn or siren.
“The New Lock at the Soo construction contract includes measures to monitor and control vibrations due to blasting,” Hal Harrington, Detroit District Biologist said.
“Two fish species use the tailrace area directly north of the blasting location for spawning – Atlantic Salmon and Lake Sturgeon. The vibration monitoring locations and limitations on peak particle vibrations for the contract have been restricted to account for these spawning areas. The contractor is required to design and control all blasts to meet a maximum PPV of 1 inch per second at both spawning locations. This limitation is specifically in place to prevent negative impacts to fish.”
The Corps of Engineers said the goal during New Lock at the Soo construction is to “minimize or eliminate negative impacts to the community and other affected parties”.
The safety measures being enacted to clear marine vessels within the affected areas will be applied immediately preceding and during blasts. Additionally, there will be no permanent explosive storage or overnight explosive storage on site at the Soo Locks facility, the release states, adding that, “The safety of all accessing the waterways is a priority”.
The public meeting will be held in the Superior Room of Lake Superior State University, 650 W. Easterday Ave., Sault Ste. Marie. The public meeting is scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, July 10.
A slideshow presentation will be briefed by the Corps of Engineers as well as KAT’s blasting specialist, blasting consultant, and vibration specialist. The presentation slides will be made available after the public meeting at this link.
After the presentation, the public will have the opportunity to ask general questions about their concerns dealing with the blasting operations, “magnitude of seismic motion, airblast overpressure, and potential for flyrock debris.
Additional blasting activities in the chamber of the existing decommissioned Sabin Lock are scheduled for the 2024 spring-summer-fall construction season. These blasting activities will differ in scope and location from the shaft and tunnel blasting but will implement many of the same mitigating measures.
Soo Leader
Ship & Shore Days Allow Visitors to Explore Great Lakes History on Land and Water
Toledo, OH – The National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) and The Sandpiper passenger tour boat are teaming up again to offer the “Ultimate Great Lakes History Day.”
This summer, on Saturday, July 8 and Saturday, August 12, a special ticket will be available combining full access to the National Museum of the Great Lakes and a trip along the Maumee River aboard The Sandpiper.“The Ship & Shore experience provides a way to explore Great Lakes history all day long,” says Ellen Kennedy, the museum’s spokesperson. “Guests receive full-day access to the National Museum of the Great Lakes including our museum’s world-class, family-friendly exhibits, a 617-foot iron ore freighter and a lake class tugboat—along with a mid-day trip aboard The Sandpiper departing and returning from the museum docks.”
While touring the Maumee River aboard The Sandpiper, visitors will have access to the award-winning Port of Toledo: Then and Now exhibit. This exhibit uses QR codes onboard the vessel to allow cruisers to interact with Great Lakes history along the Maumee River.
The codes provide additional images and information about the rich history behind various spots along the river’s banks—giving visitors the opportunity to visually compare and contrast the old Maumee River with the new.
It is recommended that tickets for “Ship & Shore: The Ultimate Great Lakes History Day” be purchased in advance at nmgl.org or by calling 419-214-5000. Day of tickets will only be available if space exists. For additional information please visit nmgl.org/event.
