Miller Boat Line’s former ferry, West Shore, is the West Shore once more

BY SHERI TRUSTY

   PUT-IN-BAY – When Captain Sean Whelan of Arnold Transit Company in Michigan was a young boy, he developed a strong attachment to the ferries that got their start with Miller Boat Line on Put-in-Bay, especially the West Shore and South Shore. Both vessels were sold long ago to welcome new ferries to the Miller fleet, and they sailed away to Michigan, where the West Shore was eventually renamed the Anna May.
   This year, to honor the ferry’s history, Arnold Transit Company changed the Anna May’s name back to the West Shore, and Whelan captains the boat that captured his heart many years ago.
   But Whelan’s first love was the South Shore that made daily excursions to Beaver Island, which his family visited often.
   “As a kid, I remember hanging out by the South Shore,” Whelan said.
   Whelan was so enamored with the South Shore as a child that he wrote William Market, who owned Miller Boat Line with his wife, Mary Ann, to learn about the vessel’s history. Today, Miller Boat Line is owned by William and Mary Ann’s children, Billy, Julene and Scott.
   “When I was a young kid, I wrote Miller Boat Line, and William Market wrote me back,” Whelan said. “I had an attachment to the South Shore and asked if he had any old photos. He sent me photos and a copy of an inspection.
   When the West Shore also began traveling to Beaver Island, Whelan discovered a second love. Today, he sits at the West Shore’s helm and ferries passengers from Arnold’s St. Ignace dock to Mackinac Island and back.
   When the West Shore came to the island later, it never dawned on me that one day I’d be the captain of it,” he said.
   The West Shore has had a long career on the Great Lakes. It was built as a passenger and vehicle ferry for Miller Boat Line in 1947 and was sold in 1998 to Bud Martin of Beaver Island. There, it became a freight hauler in Lake Michigan. It was purchased by Bay City Cruises in 2008 for use as a touring boat, but those plans didn’t come to fruition.
   In 2013, it was sold again, this time to Mackinac’s Star Line, which renamed the boat the Anna May. For many years, the Anna May hauled cargo during the day and offered sunset cruises on Lake Michigan in the evenings.
   When Star Line rebranded to the Arnold Transit Company name, Whelan approached the owners about restoring the West Shore name.
   “I’m a history buff, and I always liked the West Shore name,” he said. “When we did the rebranding of the company, I asked about changing the name of the Anna May back to the West Shore, which was its name for over 60 years.”
   The name was changed in May, and today, the West Shore is back to its roots as a passenger ferry. The ship has a liquor license, and passengers enjoy leisurely trips to Mackinac Island, with a drink in one hand, a snack in the other, and a legacy of service and history all around them.
   “It’s been really popular. It’s a nice, comfortable ride,” Whelan said. “They don’t make boats like that anymore.”
   The West Shore is the oldest operating ferry on the Mackinac Island runs, and there is a good reason it has survived since 1947. William Market had the vision to ensure it stayed out of saltwater that would slowly erode and destroy it.
   “My dad knew he would have to sell off the vessels as he replaced them. But what my father had in mind – and I love this – is he wouldn’t sell them to anyone in saltwater,” Julene said. “He had offers, but Dad said no. He said that we’re going to keep these vessels at home in the Great Lakes, that we’re going to keep them in freshwater.”
   Julene remembers when each of the vessels was sold and permanently left the dock.
   “When we sold the vessels, we had farewell parties with former captains and community members,” she said. “It was like saying goodbye to an old friend when they floated away for the last time.”
   The name change was a surprise addition to Miller Boat Line’s 120th anniversary celebration this year. News that the West Shore’s name was restored spread joy across the island. Their beloved West Shore had risen from the dead.
   “It wasn’t just my family that was happy; it was the whole island community,” Julene said. “Year-round residents and summer residents – it made everyone so happy. People started reminiscing. It was an emotional, nostalgic moment.”

Spliethoff vessel Minervagracht adrift and on fire after apparent Houthi attack

Amsterdam headquartered Spliethoff today reported that 19 crew members of its M-Class multipurpose vessel Minervagracht have been safely evacuated to nearby vessels after the ship was hit by an unknown explosive device in the international waters of the Gulf of Aden on Monday. Two seafarers suffered injuries and are currently receiving medical attention onboard the nearby ships.
   “Minervagracht has sustained considerable damage and is experiencing a fire. The vessel was sailing Eastbound from Djibouti at the time of the incident and is not carrying any cargo,” continued the company statement. “Spliethoff ls engaging with international authorities and specialists to safeguard and secure the vessel.
   “Spliethoff would again like to express its deepest concern over the current events and continues to provide support to the involved seafarers and their families at this extremely difficult time. The company would like to thank the crew of the nearby vessels for their swift assistance during the rescue operation.”
   The incident bears all the fingerprints of a Houthi attack and videos of the incident, apparently from Houthi sources, have been posted on X.
   In its most recent update on the incident, EU NAVFOR ASPIDES said Minervagracht remains on fire and adrift.
   ASPIDES assets have been engaged in a SOLAS operation, which is now completed. All nineteen (19) crew members, Russian, Ukrainian, Filipino, and Sri Lankan, are rescued.
   Eighteen (18) crewmembers are on board ASPIDES’ naval units, among whom one (1) is wounded, in stable condition. The nineteenth member of the crew is seriously injured and is transferred to Djibouti.
   According to reports, the Minervagracht was the subject of an unsuccessful attack attempt on September 23

Video can be viewed here:   https://www.marinelog.com/news/spliethoff-vessel-minervagracht-adrift-and-on-fire-after-apparent-houthi-attack/?utm_source=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=53953

Port Huron, Canadian vessels to race across international waters

   PORT HURON, MI – The inaugural Bluewater Classic will see two vessels race across international waters on Oct. 4.
   “Get ready for a thrilling showdown across international waters as two iconic vessels go head-to-head in the inaugural Bluewater Classic,” said Kristy Walker, co-owner of the Huron Lady II. “This friendly but fierce competition pits the beloved Huron Lady II — ‘The Lady’ — against her Canadian rival, the Duc d’Orléans II — ‘The Duc’ — in a high-spirited race along the St. Clair River and into the waters of Lake Huron, all under the towering span of the Blue Water Bridge.”
   Walker owns the Huron Lady II along with her husband Dustin.
   “Join us for a day of hometown pride, cross-border rivalry and riverfront excitement as these two local legends battle it out for nautical bragging rights,” Walker said. “Whether you’re cheering from shore or cruising aboard one of the contenders, this race promises unforgettable energy and fun.”
   The race will take place from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and begin at the Huron Lady II Dock, located at 102 Huron Ave. in Port Huron. On the boat, there will be a live DJ.
   “This idea started back in June while talking to Andrew Kercher, a local historian — we have been working on it since June,” Walker said. She said organizers are hoping to fill the boat, which has a maximum of 100 passengers, and have spectators watch from the shore.
   When asked what she is most looking forward to about the event, Walker said, “a fun day on the water celebrating our wonderful Blue Water Area and creating an annual event as we wind down our season.”
   Tickets to be on the boat can be purchased by calling 810-984-1500, stopping by the ticket booth or visiting huronlady.com/cruises. The cost is $50.
   “We are almost sold out for the event, but anyone can watch from the shore to cheer on your hometown favorite vessel,” Walker said.
   Huron Lady II offers 90-minute sightseeing cruises with a fully narrated tour of the Blue Water Area, huronlady.com states. Those onboard see both the Michigan and Canadian shorelines along the St Clair River, the international Blue Water Bridges, the historic Fort Gratiot Lighthouse and many more breathtaking sights along the way. Most cruises enjoy encounters with Great Lakes freighters, as well. There are also specialty cruises offered.

For more information, visit huronlady.com or facebook.com/huronlady2cruises.

The Voice

Second Wave Expands the National Museum of the Great Lakes

   TOLEDO, OHIO – Imagine for a moment you are at the helm of a 552-foot-long freighter pushing across the Great Lakes carrying 11 tons of cargo.
   The nation becomes more realistic as you enter the pilot house of the ship St. Mary’s Challenger. The pilot house is one of the newest artifacts included in a 5,000-foot addition to the National Museum of the Great Lakes. Standing behind the vessel’s wheel provides an opportunity to discover what it’s like as captain to sail on one of the five great lakes. 
   The $5.5 million expansion at the museum along the Maumee River made room for the pilot house, a new permanent gallery, space for rotating exhibits, offices, a conference room and places for seminars and workshops.  “I feel like I just birthed my fourth child,” said Museum Executive Director Kate Fineske. “Construction is not for the faint of heart. But it is so exciting to finally welcome the public into our new space…our collection is vast and wide.” Only about 10% of the museum’s collection is on display at one time with the rest in storage. “We really needed the space.”
   The museum moved to Toledo in 2014, and the additions were unveiled in June. Capturing the essence of the massive lakes and demonstrating the connection to our lives is no small task. The great lakes measure 94,250 square miles. 11,000 miles of shoreline would stretch from Toledo to Perth, Australia.  
   “When I joined the team in 2019, just to give you an idea of how much we’ve grown, we had about six folks,” explained Fineske. “We have close to 30 now.”  No tax dollars are used to support the museum. Expenses are covered through membership, admission revenue and donations.

Toledo City Paper