Boatnerd News – September 8, 2025

September 8, 2025

UPDATE ON THAMESBORG AGROUND IN NORTHWEST PASSAGE

Janey Anderson-Ship Junkies

Owners of ship aground in Northwest Passage say crew OK, no spill.
The owners of a commercial freighter that ran aground in the Northwest Passage this weekend say the crew is safe and “no pollution occurred” in the incident.

The Thamesborg, an “ice-strengthened” Dutch-flagged vessel operated by global shipping firm Wagenborg, came to grief in the Franklin Strait, which lies between Prince of Wales Island and the Nunavut mainland.

Canadian Coast Guard light icebreaker Sir Wilfrid Laurier is understood to be alongside the Thamesborg offering assistance.

Search and rescue officials based at Trenton, Ontario had earlier said 16 people were on board.

In a statement to Cabin Radio on Sunday morning, Wagenborg confirmed the Thamesborg was the vessel involved and said it had arranged salvage assistance.

“There are no injuries to crew and no pollution occurred as a result of the incident. Fuel tanks of the vessel and its cargo holds are all intact,” Wagenborg stated.

“Crew of Thamesborg are currently making a further assessment of potential damage to the ship which remains aground in a stable condition.”

Wagenborg confirmed the CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier had arrived at the scene and said salvage experts were “discussing further steps for the safe refloating of the vessel.”

The company said the ship, which was heading from China to the Quebec port of Baie-Comeau, has a cargo of “carbon blocks for industrial use” on board.

Second coast guard icebreaker en route

On Sunday afternoon, the Canadian Coast Guard told Cabin Radio the CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier was providing assistance through a fast rescue craft and helicopter. The CCGS Jean Goodwill, a medium-class icebreaker, is expected to arrive at the scene on Monday.

“The vessel has flooded in multiple ballast tanks, though no flooding in any of its fuel tanks or its cargo hold,” the Canadian Coast Guard stated. “There are no injuries or pollution.”

The coast guard said the vessel owner is responsible for the cost of addressing what happens next, including any “hazard-related costs like cleanup or repairs and any remediation action taken.”

Trenton’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre said on Sunday afternoon that the Miena Desgagnes, a second commercial vessel initially tasked with responding to Thamesborg’s predicament, has now been cleared to continue on its way.

“The vessel that ran aground appears to be stable, and has remained so through several changes of tide. While CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier will remain on scene for the short term, the search-and-rescue aspect of this situation is, for now, resolved,” a JRCC spokesperson stated.

Source: Cabin Radio – Ollie Williams

Sept. 7, 2025

Historic WWII submarine USS Cobia heads to Sturgeon Bay

MANITOWOC – A historic submarine departed Sunday morning for some much-needed maintenance in Sturgeon Bay.
At 8 a.m., the USS Cobia left the dock and headed north up Lake Michigan to Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay. Weather permitting around 6 p.m. Tug Nickelena is handling the tow. The maintenance is thanks to Project Dry Dock 2025. It should last about 6 weeks.

View vídeos here: https://fox11online.com/good-day-wi/historic-wwii-submarine-uss-cobia-begins-journey-for-maintenance-in-sturgeon-bay

Annual Maritime Career Day Seeking Partners

TOLEDO, OHIO – The National Museum of the Great Lakes is calling on maritime and Great Lakes–related industries to take part in its second annual Maritime Career Day on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Designed to connect students and the public with career opportunities across the region, the event provides a unique platform for companies, higher education institutions, and tradespeople to connect with future talent and gain valuable exposure.
Last year’s inaugural event drew over 300 students and more than 30 career partners, including leaders from various fields such as shipping, environmental science, engineering, the military, and culinary arts. This year, in addition to students, the museum is expanding its reach by inviting the broader community to take part, offering career partners an even wider audience to share their work and opportunities.
“Maritime Career Day is about building connections and inspiring the next generation of Great Lakes professionals,” said Sara Smith, Director of Institutional Advancement with the National Museum of the Great Lakes. “With the addition of a community session this year, partners will not only meet eager students but also connect with adults exploring career opportunities or seeking new paths within our region’s vital industries.”

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Student Session: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Grades 7–12)
Community Session: 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. (Open to the public)
Location: National Museum of the Great Lakes, 1701 Front St., Toledo, OH

Career partners will host booths inside the museum and aboard its Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship, offering attendees a chance to interact directly with professionals from diverse fields.

Sponsors of the 2025 Maritime Career Day include:

Presenting Sponsor: World Group Foundation – the philanthropic arm of The World Group, dedicated to creating meaningful, lasting change in the communities where its people live and work.
Community Sponsors: The Andersons and International Ship Masters Association Toledo Lodge 9

Organizations interested in participating as a career partner are encouraged to contact Sara Smith at sara.smith@nmgl.org. Space is limited, and early registration is recommended.For more information, visit nmgl.org/careerday.

Marine Historical Society of Detroit
Now Accepting New Members, Renewals

DETROIT, MI – You don’t have to live in the Motor City to join the Marine Historical Society of Detroit. Its focus includes all the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway as well as the ships and sailors keeping the economies of two countries moving.
The 81-year-old non-profit group is now accepting new memberships and membership renewals.
“The MHSD has plenty to offer anyone interested in and concerned with the history of the Great Lakes and its vibrant maritime heritage,” says long-time group President Roger LeLievre. “We have members across the U.S. and Canada and even overseas.”
Membership includes the monthly publication The Detroit Marine Historian, which offers a variety of articles exploring Great Lakes shipping past and present. It also includes an annual, full-color calendar featuring superb, often rare, photos of Great Lakes ships of the past.
Last year the group published the 300-page, hardcover book Ahoy & Farewell III, documenting the vessels built and those that left the lakes during the past 30 years. The book recently won an award for excellence from the Historical Society of Michigan.
In keeping with society’s goal of preserving historical images, the MHSD’s image portal, featuring photos and details of many historic vessels, is now online at www.marinehistorydetroit.historyit.com

The Society has named an annual Historian of the Year since 1969. The award is voted on by past winners and honors those who have contributed significantly to the research, presentation or publication of Great Lakes ships and the shipping history.
Membership is $40 (U.S. and Canada). Join online at www.mhsd.org. To join or renew by mail, please print out the form in the gallery below.
MHSD

See “Captain Bob” September 11th

See “Captain Bob” former Captain of the Paul R Tregurtha, in Cheboygan next month for his speaking engagement, GREAT NEWS!! Due to his first show SELLING OUT in record time, they are adding a SECOND SHOW!! Same day but at 5:30pm so if you’re interested, head to the website shown at the bottom of the image (Open it up to see it full size) and grab tickets!! They are only $10 each!! Hurry before this show sells out as well!!
See Photo Gallery below

2025 Luck of the Lakes Raffle Includes Ship Trips

Your raffle ticket purchase supports the Great Lakes Historical Society and its National Museum of the Great Lakes whose mission is to preserve, share, and celebrate the past, present, and future of the Great Lakes story.
Details here:
https://nmgl.org/2025lolraffle/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMDBTFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFZUGV4UFMxNFFGYUpPbTZ2AR5OikAHiWMuo30CZrAqM9nuK93_xmmqYBsoAerabXJ3sBlZWNxpz7mZwoLuFw_aem_1pxrUONQfReTGS4dlnAgzg