U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell Receives Legislator of the Year Award
Ann Arbor, MI (October 28, 2024) – On Monday, October 28, 2024, the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF) recognized Michigan Congresswoman Debbie Dingell for her efforts advocating for the Great Lakes navigation system and the American workers that insure a resilient maritime supply chain which drives the nation’s economic base.
“The Great Lakes are not only an important natural resource but a way of life that supports communities across our region and country, creating more than 1.5 million jobs, supplying 90 percent of our nation’s fresh surface water, and generating $62 billion in wages every year. They are critical to numerous industries, supply chains, and our economy, and support countless families’ livelihoods.
“As a co-chair of the Congressional Great Lakes Task Force, I’m honored to be recognized by the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force and will continue to fight in Congress to protect these waters and all who depend on them,” said Dingell.
“It is an honor and privilege to present this award to Representative Dingell,” said Jim Weakley President of the Lake Carriers’ Association and Vice President of GLMTF. “She strengthened navigational infrastructure by supporting funding to finish the critical new large navigational lock in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan and pressing for the acquisition of a desperately needed U.S. Coast Guard heavy icebreaker for the Great Lakes.”
In addition, Dingell understands the need to attract and retain a skilled workforce like those needed at the Soo Locks. As the only waterway connection between Lake Superior and the other Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence Seaway, the Soo Locks are the linchpin of the Great Lakes Navigation System. In 2022, the Department of Defense reduced the wage rate for 77 skilled laborer positions at the Soo Locks Complex by 19 percent. Two-thirds of the workers occupying those positions are veterans. She has been a catalyst for a solution proposing that the Department of Defense approve the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers May 2022 request for a special salary rate (SSR) to restore the wage scale lost in 2022 for these 77 positions.
The ceremony was hosted on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor and highlighted the “Aaron Friedman Marine Hydrodynamics Lab,” which has one of the only four towing tanks nationwide.
Great Lakes Maritime Task Force
Soo Locks Visitor Center closes for 2024 season
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District will close the Soo Locks Visitor Center in Canal Park at 7 p.m. Oct. 31 for the 2024 season.
“In addition to our regular exhibit updates this season, we added new photos and information to our Virtual Tour exhibit featuring the ongoing work on the New Lock at the Soo,” Chief Park Ranger Michelle Briggs said. “For 2025, we will have a new large format aerial view of the facility showing visitors a birds-eye view of the Soo Locks taken in September 2024 with demolition of the Sabin Lock underway
Behind the Scenes at the New Soo Locks
View a video here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQZoipueb5U
Gales of November 8-9
A great slate of presentations this year. Also a form to order a raffle ticket for a ride on the Edwin H. Gott. Help support Duluth’s Maritime Museum
See flyer below.
National Museum offers “Fitzgerald Experience 2024”
Toledo, OH – In honor of the 49th Anniversary of the loss of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1975, the National Museum of the Great Lakes is offering a weekend of special tours. The Fitzgerald Experience is a guided tour of the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship, using the lake freighter and its similarities to the Edmund Fitzgerald to discuss the events of November 10, 1975, theories about the sinking and stories about the 29 crew members who were lost. This tour is approximately 75 minutes long.
Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Each tour will be limited to 8 people. Guests also receive a museum store discount of 10% (non-members) / 20% (members) off in-store purchases. Tours are offered every half hour from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 9 and from noon – 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 10.
Your tour purchase includes admission to the National Museum of the Great Lakes.
Due to its historical accuracy, the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship is not ADA accessible. Narrow, steep staircases are common throughout the Schoonmaker and may provide difficulties in accessibility for some.
The Schoonmaker is also not heated and much of the tour is on uncovered decks. We encourage you to dress appropriately for the weather. If we determine that the weather has made these tours impossible, we will provide a refund of the ticket price (minus fees). If the program is cancelled, we are not planning a make-up date.
You can process a refund (minus fees) and cancel your ticket up to 7 days before the event. Go here to buy tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-fitzgerald-experience-2024-tickets-1043046027747?aff=ebemoffollowpublishemail&ref=eemail&utm_campaign=following_published_event&utm_content=follow_notification&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite
