Robert S. Pierson grounds at Muskegon Friday
Robert S. Pierson ran aground briefly Friday morning while heading into Muskegon, MI. The Pierson worked her way free just before her sistership Manitowoc arrived to assist. As of noon she was at anchor north of the breakwall.
Freighter that ran aground in Detroit River near Belle Isle immortalized on Google Maps
A freighter that ran aground on the Detroit River near Belle Isle last year is, for now, immortalized in satellite images on Google Maps.
The Mark W. Barker was marooned near the east end of Belle Isle not far from the Dossin Great Lakes Museum and freed after several hours after running aground on May 17, 2023. But not before it was photographed from the sky forever. Or, at least, until the next Google Maps image is photographed.
Google Maps are reportedly updated constantly.
According to a 2021 interview with Business Insider, a Google Maps’ technical program manager said satellite images of big cities get updates every year, medium-sized cities every two years and it can three years or longer for more remote areas.
A Google Maps image taken of Belle Isle in May 2023 shows the Mark W. Barker running aground in the Detroit River near the east end of Belle Isle.
And Google doesn’t update the entire world at once. They usually release new satellite data every month, adding whichever images they have ready.
The freighter, longer than two football fields and loaded with about 20,000 metric tons of rock salt, was christened in 2022 and was the first large bulk carrier built on the Great Lakes since 1981.
The Mark W. Barker of the Interlake Steamship Company ran aground on Belle Isle in Detroit on Wednesday morning May 17, 2023.
The Barker wasn’t the only ship that ran aground in 2023.
The 623-foot freighter Barbo G got stuck in late November after it drifted into the Detroit River and its bow thrusters were determined inoperable. The Portuguese ship was carrying 21,000 tons of wheat and headed to Italy when its voyage was unexpectedly interrupted. The rescue effort took three tugboats.
Detroit Free Press
NGML Offers Free Admission for Veterans, Active Military
Good morning,
Hope you’re enjoying the warm weather! This weekend (Saturday – Monday), we are offering veterans and active military members free admission in honor of Memorial Day. More details in the attached media alert.
In addition, for anyone looking for a unique activity this weekend, we have our first Hard Hat Tours of the season scheduled for Saturday at various times. Participants go below deck for insider access to typically off-limits areas of our Museum boats, allowing them to learn more about the inner-working of these historical vessels. Here are more details.
Finally, construction is officially underway! As a reminder, the museum will remain fully open during the renovations. We just kindly ask that visitors pardon our dust (and some extra noise) at this time.
Thanks for all of your continued support! Have a great holiday weekend.
Ashley Streichert
Marketing and Communications Manager, NMGL
Make Your Plans Now for Soo
Boatnerd Picnic, Freighter-Chasing Cruise
Join us for the Annual Boatnerd Picnic and Freighter-Chasing Cruise on the St. Marys River during the annual Engineers Day weekend at Sault Ste. Marie June 27-38. Find details on both events here: https://boatnerd3.jasonbowlerdesign.com/boatnerd-soo-gathering-june-27-28-2024/
