St. Lawrence Seaway to reopen March 22

MASSENA, NY – Ships will soon be on the St. Lawrence River. The Great Lakes- St. Lawrence
Seaway’s 2024 navigation season will officially begin on Friday, March 22, according to a press
release from the Seaway System.

The Montreal, Lake Ontario and Welland Canal will all open at 8 a.m. on opening day, the
Seaway confirmed. All ship transits will be subject to weather and ice conditions. Restrictions
may apply in some areas until lighted navigation aids have been installed, Seaway officials said
in the press release.

In the Montreal and Lake Ontario Section, the maximum allowable draft will be 26’3″. The
maximum draft will be increased to 26’6″ when the South Shore Canal is ice-free. The maximum
draft in the Welland Canal will be 26’6″ from the start of the navigation season.

The Sault Ste. Marie Locks is set to open on Monday, March 25, 2024.
The international waterway previously closed following its 2023 season on January 5.

 

Shipwreck Society finds Arlington shipwreck
deep in Lake Superior

WHITEFISH POINT, MICH. – The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) along
with shipwreck researcher Dan Fountain, are proud to announce the discovery of the 244-foot
bulk carrier Arlington in over 600 feet of water around 35 miles north of Michigan’s Keweenaw
Peninsula.

Over the last 10 years, Fountain has been studying remote sensing data in the search for
shipwrecks in Lake Superior. After coming across a particularly deep anomaly, he reached out to
the Shipwreck Society for help in identifying the potential wreck. In 2023 GLSHS Director of
Marine Operations, Darryl Ertel, Mr. Fountain and crew of the R/V David Boyd, towed a Marine
Sonic Technology side-scan sonar over the anomaly and soon realized it was in-fact a shipwreck.
Later ROV dives positively identified the submerged hulk the Arlington.

On April 30th, 1940, the Arlington left Port Arthur, Ontario fully loaded with wheat en route
Owen Sound, Ontario. She was under command of Captain Frederick “Tatey Bug” Burke, a
seasoned veteran of the lakes. Dense fog greeted the Arlington and a larger freighter, the
Collingwood, as they made their way across Lake Superior. As the day turned to night the fog
turned into a storm and battered both ships. The Arlington started to take on water. The
Arlington’s first mate, Junis Macksey, ordered a course to hug the Canadian North Shore, which
would have provided some cover from wind and waves, but Captain Burke countermanded the
order…and ordered his ship back on its course across the open lake. On May 1st at around
4:30am Chief Engineer, Fred Gilbert, sounded the alarm, as the Arlington started to sink. Out of
fear for their lives, and without orders from Captain Burke, the crew began to abandon ship on
their own. Luckily, everyone safely got off the Arlington and made it to the safety of the
Collingwood…everyone but Captain “Tatey Bug” Burke.

An investigation, and much speculation followed the sinking of the Arlington and the odd
behavior of its master. Why did he go down with his ship…when he easily could have been
saved like the rest of his crew? The fact is no one will ever know the answer. Reports indicate
that he was near the pilothouse of his ship and waved at the Collingwood minutes before his ship
went to the deep, 650-feet to the bottom of Lake Superior.

Teamwork was critical to the discovery. One of the most important aspects of everything we do
as an organization involves the concept of teamwork. This goes for our operations at Whitefish
Point, as well as on the water aboard the David Boyd. We are lucky to have so many dedicated
shipwreck historians and researchers as friends of GLSHS.” Said GLSHS Executive Director,
Bruce Lynn.” And this was absolutely demonstrated when Negaunee resident Dan Fountain
approached us with a potential target near the Copper Harbor area of Lake Superior. These
targets don’t always amount to anything…but this time it absolutely was a shipwreck. A wreck
with an interesting, and perhaps mysterious story. Had Dan not reached out to us, we might
never have located the Arlington…and we certainly wouldn’t know as much about her story as we
do today.

It’s exciting to solve just one more of Lake Superior’s many mysteries,” said Fountain, “finding
Arlington so far out in the lake. I hope this final chapter in her story can provide some measure
of closure to the family of Captain Burke.

For more pictures and video log onto https://shipwreckmuseum.com/

 

Lake Michigan car ferry plans 3 sunset
cruises for 2024 season

LUDINGTON, MI – Watching the sunset over Lake Michigan from the deck of the historic S.S.
Badger car ferry is a unique experience that will be offered just three times this year. In addition
to spectacular views, each of these shoreline cruises will feature a theme, live entertainment,
food and a cash bar. The on-board gift shop, movie theater, museum and lounge areas will also
be open.

All three of the sunset cruises board in Ludington and sail along the eastern shore of Lake
Michigan, offering views of the shoreline and the sunset over the water. Passengers will begin
boarding at 8:30 p.m., and the ship will sail from 9-11 p.m.

The first sunset shoreline cruise will be on Thursday, July 4. It will feature a patriotic theme.

Entertainment has not yet been announced. Passengers will be able to see the Ludington
Freedom Festival fireworks from the ship. The cost is $70 per person; children 4 and younger are
free. The sun will set at 9:31 p.m.

The next shoreline cruise is scheduled for Wednesday, July 24. The theme and entertainment
have not been announced. Cost is $58 per person; children 4 and younger are free. The sun will
set at 9:18 p.m.

The final shoreline cruise is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 21. The theme is Bon Voyage to
Summer. Entertainment has not been announced. Cost is $58 per person; children 4 and younger
are free. The sun will set at 8:39 p.m.

There are also three afternoon shoreline cruises that sail on Saturdays, June 15, July 20 and Aug.
17 in Manitowoc, Wis. Passengers board at 1:30 p.m. and sail from 2-4 p.m. The themes and
entertainment have not been announced. Cost is $58 per person; children 4 and younger are free.

 

HELP WANTED: S.S. Badger

Once again we are searching for some Navigational Deck/Navigational Engine crew for
our 2024 sailing season. Applications must be filled out on-line by visiting our website
at: www.ssbadger.com and click Join The Team.

Able-Seaman (AB): Performs navigational watch in and around the pilot house, assists
Mate on duty with supervising the deck crew, assists in loading and off-loading
passengers and cargo, proper use and care of deck equipment, supplies and material,
work alongside deck crew, undertaking tasks as necessary, learn fire and lifeboat
stations along with signals and procedures associated with an emergency to properly
carry out a fire and lifeboat drill to US Coast Guard standards, be prepared to live and
work aboard the vessel the duration of the sailing season, from mid-May to mid-Oct.

Room and board provided, employee will stand a 4-hour watch, twice a day, 7 days per
week and eligible for medical, dental, vision and 401K after completing 90-day
probationary period. APPLICANTS FOR THE AB POSITIONS MUST BE QUALIFIED
AND POSSES THE CREDENTIALS NEEDED FOR THIS POSITON.

QMED: Works under the direction of the watch Engineer, employee will stand a 4-hour
watch, twice a day, 7 days per week, be prepared to live and work aboard the vessel
the duration of the sailing season, from mid-May to mid-Oct. (room and board provided).

APPLICANTS FOR THE QMED POSITIONS MUST BE QUALIFIED AND POSSES
THE FIREMAN/OILER/WATERTENDER ENDORSEMENTS ON THEIR MMC. QMED –

Oiler: Assists with operating and maintaining all vessel equipment and systems, assists
with monitoring plant operation, assists with record-keeping, assigned a cleaning
station. QMED – Fireman: Manages the fires in the operating boilers, ensures an
adequate fuel supply to the boilers, assists the Coal passer on duty with ash removal
conveyors, assigned a cleaning station. Qualifications/Certifications required: Valid
Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), valid Merchant Mariners
Credential issued by the U.S. Coast Guard, endorsement as QMED

Fireman/Oiler/Watertender on MMC, current US Coast Guard Medical Certificate,
legally eligible to be employed in the United States (Proof of identity and eligibility will be
required upon employment.

LICENSED ENGINE OFFICER: Supervise a watch with the assistance and direction
from the Chief Engineer. Responsible for the safety of the personnel assigned to the
watch and their task performance in the operation of the vessel. Assists with the
operation and maintenance of all vessel operating equipment and systems. Maintains
the engine room records as required by various agencies. Conducts periodic safety
inspections of departmental tools and safety equipment as directed. Required to make
descriptive entries of all work performed in the Engineer log. Be prepared to live and
work aboard the vessel the duration of the sailing season, from mid-May to mid-Oct.
(room and board provided). Employee will stand a 4-hour watch, twice daily, 7 days per
week. Eligible for AMO medical, dental, vision and 401K after completing 60-day
probationary period. APPLICANTS FOR LICENSED ENGINEER POSITIONS MUST
BE QUALIFIED AND POSSESS LICENSED ENGINEER OF STEAM VESSELS OF
UNLIMITED ENDORSEMENT OF 4000 HP OR HIGHER. Qualifications/Certifications
Required: Valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), Valid Merchant
Mariners Credential issued by the U.S. Coast Guard with proper endorsements,
including at least Third Assistant Engineer of steam vessels of unlimited horsepower,
current US Coast Guard Medical Certificate and be legally eligible to be employed in the
United States (proof of identity will be required upon employment).

Interlake Steamship Co.