4 coast guard cutters make first passage through Soo Locks Monday evening
Sault Ste. Marie, MI – Robins may be the traditional first sign of spring, but at the Soo Locks, the first lockage of Coast Guard icebreakers is the real sign that spring is here. Late Monday evening the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw and the Canadian Coast Guard Cutter Samuel Risley made their way through the Poe Lock to start opening the upper river and Lake Superior ports for the start of the 2022 navigation season. They were followed by USCG Hollyhock and Neah Bay.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District
Coast Guard investigating sinking of tugboat Lake Superior in Duluth
Duluth, MN – The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating after the retired tugboat Lake Superior partially sunk in the Duluth Port Monday morning.
There were no reports of any pollution impacts to the environment, according to Lt. Joseph McGinnis, with the Coast Guard. McGinnis said the partial sinking was reported around 9 a.m. near the Compass Minerals dock off Railroad Street.
Crews were sent out to monitor the situation while a de-watering operation began. As of 3:45 p.m., the vessel’s stern remained under water while the icy water helped keep it stable, according to McGinnis.
The vessel, which was built in 1943, used to be owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers until it was retired in 1995 and acquired by the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center as a floating museum, according to Great Lakes Tugs & Workboats.
A cause of the partial sinking is under investigation.
“The vessel was listing over the weekend but was supported by ice. Since the ice started melting, the stern of the vessel sunk,” McGinnis said. The Coast Guard’s pollution responders examined the vessel and are “still working diligently on mitigating any potential environmental hazards.”
As of Monday afternoon, only the stern of the vessel was submerged and crews had dewatering pumps on the scene to remove water from the tugboat, McGinnis said, adding he “Can’t say for sure if the vessel will fully submerge.”
According to the website Great Lakes Tugs and Workboats, the Lake Superior was built in 1943 for the U.S. Army and named Major Emil H. Block before being transferred to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1950 and renamed Lake Superior
The tug was retired from service in about 1995 and was acquired by the City of Duluth, which used it as a floating museum, the website said. A private owner —Billington Contracting of Duluth — bought the vessel in 2007 and it has remained inactive.
Fox 21
Arthur M. Anderson displays 70th anniversary badge
Toledo, OH – The steamer Arthur M. Anderson, due to sail March 23 from Toledo, is sporting artwork marking the vessel’s 70th season of service. See the image in today’s photo gallery.
USCG Spar headed for Duluth
Duluth, MN – USCG Spar (WLB-206), the replacement vessel for the USCG Alder, departed Portland, ME, on March 17. She is expected to arrive in Montreal March 22 headed for new station at Duluth, MN.
Great Lakes levels down 3 feet from 2020 peak
Grand Rapids, MI – Nearly two years after record highs on the Great Lakes, water levels are on the decline. Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory shows Lake Michigan has dropped nearly 3 feet since setting its record high in the summer of 2020.
Water on the Great Lakes typically follows a pattern, with levels peaking in the late summer and bottoming out in the spring. But that pattern can be broken by consistent weather changes.
Lauren Fry, a physical scientist with NOAA, said lake levels typically rise over the spring as we accumulate more rain and then drop heading into the fall and winter as the warm surface water evaporates when it hits the cold air. She said a dry spring followed by a warm fall and a cold winter led to a larger drop.
While numbers are down, it doesn’t mean landowners along the lakeshore are out of the woods.
“I would anticipate periods of high water levels in the future,” Fry said. “There’s nothing to indicate that we are in a trajectory of downward water levels forever. I think the answer is really to be prepared for both and low water levels. It may seem like a reprieve, but I think to be ready for those changes is still important.”
Read more at this link: https://www.wearegreenbay.com/news/local-news/great-lakes-levels-down-3-feet-from-2020-peak/
U.S. Coast Guard to open West Neebish Channel in the St. Marys River
Sault Ste. Marie, MI – The Coast Guard will begin opening the West Neebish Channel in the St. Marys River Thursday morning, March 24.Ice throughout the St Marys River is deteriorating. To prevent a collapse of the ice field that would hinder Neebish Island ferry operations, Coast Guard icebreakers will carefully establish a track from Lake Nicolet to the ferry crossing then begin flushing the rotting ice down river. Prior to this effort, Coast Guard icebreakers flushed the lower half of the channel from the Rock Cut to Munuscong Lake, creating space for ice to move down river.Prior to announcing these plans, Coast Guard officials conferred with the Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority (EUPTA) and the local ferry operator to collect their input. For up-to-date information on ferry operations call the Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority (EUPTA) delays, cancellation, and updates hotline at (906) 632-1516, check the local ferry Facebook pages, or the EUPTA website at EUPTA.net.
USCG
Help wanted: Lake Michigan Carferry seeks captain for S.S. Badger
Ludington, MI – Lake Michigan Carferry, a subsidiary of Interlake Maritime Services, Inc seeks qualified individual to serve as Master aboard the historic S.S. Badger. Applicants must possess an Unlimited Great Lakes Master’s license for steam vessels any gross tons with appropriate pilotage as well as documented experience in the capacity of Master. Year-round salary for the sailing seasons of mid-May to mid-Oct. Excellent work schedule throughout the sailing season. Benefits include medical, dental, vision and 401K. Pre-employment physical, drug screen and background check are mandatory. Go to www.ssbadger.com > Join the Crew > Apply Now and click on the Captain position to apply or email resume and letter of interest to lbialochowski@interlakems.com
