Boatnerd News March 5, 2026

March 5, 2026

The 2025-2026 winter layup list is now up and running at https://boatnerd3.jasonbowlerdesign.com/winter-lay-up-list-2025-2026

Coast Guard ice-breaking cutters limited in operations in Sault Ste. Marie

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – The Coast Guard ice-breaking fleet is limited in its operational capacity following engineering casualties onboard two of its cutters this week in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, March 4, 2026. An additional Coast Guard cutter is expected to be available to transit to the area for ice-breaking
operations by Monday.
Coast Guard cutter Biscayne Bay (WTGB 104) and Coast Guard Cutter Katmai Bay (WTGB 101) are two Coast Guard ice-breaking assets assigned to the northern portions of the Great Lakes in support of the Coast Guard’s efforts to ensure the safe and efficient flow of people and goods through the maritime transportation system.
The Biscayne Bay experienced an engineering casualty Monday that restricts their scope of safe operations to track maintenance alone. The Biscayne Bay is unable to safely make the tight turns required to eliminate the ice from the Sugar Island Ferry route because of the casualty. The Biscayne Bay is actively troubleshooting to restore full capabilities while continuing underway operations for waterway track maintenance in the St. Marys River.
The Katmai Bay is currently in port working to address and repair an ongoing engineering casualty. There is no estimated time for their return to operations.
The Coast Guard carefully monitors ice conditions across the waterways and impacts to best allocate Coast Guard ice-breaking assets to limit disruptions to industry and our local communities.

[USCG]

Memories of sailing for the Ford fleet featured at GLMI dinner April 12

The Great Lakes Maritime Institute presents its annual dinner at 2 p.m. April 12 at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum in Detroit. Featured speaker will be Greg Rudnick, who will talk about his time sailing on the Ford Motor Co. vessels Henry Ford II and Benson Ford. See the flyer posted in the gallery for details. Reservations required by March 31.
[You can see the billing for this in the gallery below]

Chance to win a trip on a lakes freighter

Here it comes. That once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Have you ever looked at one of those freighters and wonder to yourself, “what would it be like to sail on one of those for a few days?” Well, here’s your opportunity to find out.

The International Ship Masters’ Association, with the help of Toledo Lodge #9, and the Interlake Steamship Company are offering you a chance for a once-in-a-lifetime freighter cruise on the Great Lakes!

As part of the 137th Annual International Ship Masters’ Association (ISMA) Convention in Toledo, OH in January 2027, Toledo Lodge #9 along with Interlake Steamship Company, is offering you the chance to enjoy a few wonderful days sailing the Great Lakes on a working freighter.

Tickets are $10 each or Six for Five ($50). You can get yours by mailing a check or money order, mailed and made payable to ISMA Toledo Lodge 9 / P.O. Box 5218 / Toledo, OH 43611

Questions or concerns, please email ISMALodge9@gmail.com or call 419-345-5206.

Here are some pictures of sights you might see on your trip.
[See information in gallery below]