St. Lawrence Seaway tugboat Robinson Bay looking for new home
MASSENA, NY – The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation is looking for a new home for the historic tugboat Robinson Bay as the corporation seeks to transition its vessel fleet for future operations.
Seaway officials say the delivery of tugboats “Seaway Trident” and “Seaway Guardian” will allow “Robinson Bay” to transition out of the fleet. The vessel, which remains in good operational condition, has served the Seaway for many decades. Seaway officials say it is their goal to ensure “Robinson Bay” continues to provide public value within the region.
As part of the process to find “Robinson Bay” a new home, Seaway officials are seeking proposals from interested parties who have a vision for the tugboat’s future use, whether in an operational capacity, as a training vessel or as part of a museum or historic exhibit.
GLS officials have established a series of criteria that will guide the evaluation process of the proposals.
The primary considerations will be “the alignment of received proposals with the public interest, the intended use of the vessel, the capacity of recipient organization to maintain it, and the vessel’s potential community and historical impact going forward.”
“The Robinson Bay has been an integral part of Great Lakes Seaway maritime history, and the GLS looks forward to seeing how this vessel will continue to serve the region in new and meaningful ways,” Seaway officials said.
Proposals are due on Oct. 1, 2024, with no exceptions, officials said. Proposals should not be longer than five written pages and should include the following information:
Overview of Proposed Use – A detailed description of how your organization intends to use the Robinson Bay, including any operational, educational, or preservation plans.
Public and Community Value – Explain how your proposal aligns with the public interest and enhances the Great Lakes/Seaway community.
Organizational Capacity – Information about your organization’s experience, resources, and long-term sustainability plan for maintaining the vessel.
Historical and Educational Impact – Describe how your organization will preserve the historical significance of the vessel and how it will be used for educational purposes.
Feasibility and Timeline – Provide a clear plan for how your organization will acquire, transport, and put the tugboat to use, including a proposed timeline.
Proposals are to be submitted electronically by 3 p.m. on October 1, 2024 to Paul Braden, Director of Lock Operations and Maritime Services.
For more information, visit www.seaway.dot.gov/publications/gls-seeks-proposals-donation-historic-tugboat-robinson-bay
New Lock at the Soo Phase 2 complete
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District’s New Lock at the Soo project in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, substantially completed Phase 2 (Upstream Approach Walls) contract on September 17.
“Phase 2 work focused on rehabilitating the upstream approach walls to guide vessels into the New Lock and will allow the vessels to moor on the wall,” New Lock at the Soo Project Engineer Ryan Berkompas said. “The old approach walls in the northern channel were the same age as the Sabin and Davis Locks, over 100 years old.”
The Corps of Engineers awarded the $117 million contract in September 2020 to Kokosing-Alberici, of Westerville, Ohio.
“Minor electrical work is expected to be addressed through the end of October with a goal of financially closing the contract by the end of November,” said Berkompas.
A total of 52 coffer cells were constructed, filled and capped with concrete to make up the eastern portion of the approach walls. A combined 4,800 linear feet of walls were rehabilitated and 62,000 cubic yards of concrete were used.
The New Lock at the Soo project continues to be on track for completion in 2030.
The New Lock at the Soo project is being built in three phases. Phase 1 (Upstream Channel Deepening) was completed in 2022 and Phase 2 (Upstream Approach Walls) is substantially complete as of this summer.
“Phase 3 construction began in late 2022 and given efficient funding and favorable weather is on track to be complete by 2030,” New Lock at the Soo Senior Project Manager Mollie Mahoney said. “The New Lock at the Soo will be constructed in the footprint of the Sabin Lock and will be the same size as the Poe Lock (1,200 feet long, 110 feet wide and 32 feet deep).”
The Phase 3 contractor is demolishing the existing Sabin Lock chamber and beginning bedrock excavation in the footprint of the Sabin Lock. In the Davis Lock they are excavating for the New Pump Well and filling the Davis Lock with excavated material. The contractor is also constructing a new bridge to the New Power Plant and a new utility access structure.
Additional planned activities to occur in 2024 include pump well substructure construction and new concrete monolith (lock chamber wall) construction.
The Soo Locks allow vessels to transit the 21-foot elevation change at the St. Marys Falls Canal. Over 88 percent of commodity tonnage through the Soo Locks is restricted by vessel size to the Poe Lock. The New Lock at the Soo project will construct a second Poe-sized lock.
The Soo Locks are essential to U.S. manufacturing and National Security, the New Lock at the Soo project will provide resiliency for this critical node in the Great Lakes Navigation System. A 2015 Department of Homeland Security study estimates a six-month Poe Lock closure would temporarily reduce the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) by $1.1 trillion, resulting in the loss of 11 million jobs.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit
Marine Mart planned for Oct. 12
The Great Lakes Maritime Institute will host its 43rd annual Marine Mart Oct, 12 in St. Clair Shores, MI. See the flier in the photo gallery for details.
