Joseph L. Block to open Soo Locks
shipping season today
SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – The motor vessel Joseph L. Block arrived in Soo harbor in
the early afternoon Thursday. Today at 6 p.m. she will lock upbound as the first vessel
of the new shipping season.
The locks usually open at 12:01 a.m. March 25, but this year’s opener was moved a few
days earlier due to a lack of ice and requests from major steel producers. The earlier
date aligns with the St. Lawrence Seaway’s opening, which is also today. Only the
larger Poe Lock will be in operation, with the MacArthur Lock remaining closed for
additional maintenance until April 24.
Before the Block locks up, she will be visited by a group of local officials who will
present First Boat plaques, caps and other gifts.
On Saturday, the Soo Locks Visitor Center will host an open house from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Visitors can enjoy cookies and coffee, check boat arrival schedules and share ship
stories with fellow Boatnerds. Special guest Roger LeLievre, Know Your Ships editor,
will be available starting at 11 a.m. to sell and sign copies of the latest edition.
A milder winter has reduced ice on the Great Lakes, facilitating an earlier start to the
season. Favorable weather conditions also expedited essential maintenance on the
locks, allowing for this advanced opening. Our winter maintenance period is crucial for
the locks longevity. Thankfully, this year’s conditions have enabled us to open (the
locks) early, said Detroit District Commander Lt. Col. Brett Boyle.
Indiana Harbor will be the second upbound passage. She was expected at the Soo
Friday morning, followed by Dirk S. VanEnkevort/barge Michigan Trader. On Thursday
afternoon, Edwin H. Gott and Edgar B. Speer left their lay-up berths at Toledo headed
for Two Harbors.
John J. Boland departed Duluth-Superior also for Two Harbors to load. Baie Comeau
was loading Thursday in Duluth. Burns Harbor departed Sturgeon Bay Thursday
evening with Walter J. McCarthy Jr. following close behind.
Watch the first ship or live on Facebook starting at 5:55 p.m. Here’s the link:
https://www.facebook.com/events/s/soo-locks-first-ship-facebook-/889010819333712/
NEWS22
Algoma Conveyor will be first downbound
at Welland Canal today
Algoma Conveyor departed winter berth above lock 8 Thursday and headed down to
Port Robinson to turn around and await the ceremony at lock 8 as first downbound. She
is headed for Thunder Bay. Algoma Sault departed Hamilton and arrived at Port Weller
securing at wharf 2 to prepare for lock 3 ceremony Friday morning. CSL Assiniboine
departed Hamilton and will anchor at Port Weller until Friday morning before proceeding
upbound.
Barry Andersen
Update: Badger Apron Repair
In the gallery are photos updating on the progress to the apron at Ludington.
S.S. Badger
Bid deadline nears for American Queen cruise fleet
A deadline to put in bids for the American Queen Voyages (AQV) cruise fleet is nearing,
as a Texas bankruptcy court has set March 25 at 4:00 p.m. local time as a deadline for
interested parties to make qualified bids.
The assets include four paddlewheel cruise ships for river operations, two coastal
vessels (Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator, while saw service on the Great Lakes
the past few summers) and a summer charter deal for an expedition ship that extends to
2031.
Parties are able to bid on individual assets or all of them, per court documents.
Depending on the number of bids and their qualifications, an auction could be held to
determine the winner.
An auction, if necessary, would be held on March 27 at 9:00 a.m. local time. The
winning bidder could be revealed as soon as March 27 if there is no auction, or March
28 following a potential auction. A deadline for objections is April 1.
Cruise Industry News understands there are multiple parties, all of which asked not to
be named, that are planning to make bids for the entire fleet, or in some cases, an
individual ship or class of vessels.
Cruise Industry News
Shipping on the Seaway: Virtual Reality to Bring Canadian Marine Careers to Life
[Ottawa, March 21st, 2024] — Ocean School, a groundbreaking collaboration between Dalhousie University, the Ocean Frontier Institute, and the National Film Board of Canada, proudly unveils “Shipping on the Seaway,” a transformative educational experience designed to ignite curiosity and foster a deeper understanding of maritime transportation among youth aged 11-17. With 43% of the marine workforce expected to retire in the next decade and an estimated 19,000 ‘on board jobs’ alone, to fill, this initiative aims to cultivate the next generation of marine professionals by strengthening their connection to Canada’s vital waterways. The high-paying career opportunities to explore are vast, ranging from ship captains and seafarers to marine engineers and shoreside professionals.
Launched in conjunction with the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway shipping season tomorrow, “Shipping on the Seaway” offers a unique, inquiry-based learning experience utilizing cutting-edge technologies alongside engaging activities. Students will embark on an immersive 360° tour of a CSL vessel, getting insights into the challenges, diverse career paths, and operations of shipping professions. From navigating locks to exploring the use of biofuels, this bilingual series of videos provides a taste of what life is like working onboard a 750 ft. vessel.
Ocean School has also developed a suite of tools and learning resources for educators, including media-based teaching materials, action projects, and assessment tools designed to integrate marine-focused lessons into various subjects and curriculum. Educator content can be accessed here.
Funding and content for “Shipping on the Seaway” was made possible through the generous collaboration of industry partners, including the Chamber of Marine Commerce, the CSL Group, The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation and the Canadian Marine Careers Foundation, organizations committed to advancing maritime education and sustainability.
For more information about “Shipping on the Seaway” and Ocean School’s educational resources, visit https://oceanschool.nfb.ca/collection/shipping-on-the-seaway.
“’Shipping on the Seaway’ bridges classroom learning to real-world application, allowing students to see how Canadian ships transport essential products and to understand the wider economic impacts of shipping. Focusing on the Great Lakes St. Lawrence region, we aim to inspire students to appreciate shipping’s vital role in sustaining prosperity and environmental stewardship.”
– Bruce Burrows, President and CEO of the Chamber of Marine Commerce
“CSL is thrilled to be part of this initiative that shines a spotlight on our vessel, CSL St. Laurent, and the essential role seafarers plays in safe, efficient and sustainable marine shipping. Our biofuels project demonstrates our commitment to eco-friendly operations, supporting the industry’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. We hope this program inspires young people to join an innovative industry that is working towards a cleaner and greener future for all.”
– Louis Martel, President and CEO, The CSL Group
“Partnering with ‘Shipping on the Seaway’ has been a creative way to give students a firsthand look at the inner workings of the St. Lawrence Seaway and its locks. This is a unique opportunity for young people to witness the marvel of maritime engineering and appreciate the intricate processes involved in maintaining our vital waterways.”
– Nicole Giroux-Laplante, Senior Advisor, Corporate Communications at The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation
“Ocean School has developed an incredible way to encourage exploration of the rewarding and diverse marine career opportunities in Canada. Our sector is facing critical labour shortages, and it’s essential that we educate the next generation about the dynamic and multifaceted nature of the marine industry.”
– Julia Fields, Executive Director, Canadian Marine Careers Foundation
“Ocean School is excited to release a new collection of content on the St. Lawrence Seaway and the lock system. This content allows students to explore a real-world application of marine science, demonstrating the intricacies of a major waterway that is pivotal to international trade. By studying the Seaway and its lock system, students gain insights into complex logistical challenges, engineering marvels, and the environmental considerations necessary in managing such a significant maritime route. We are hopeful that the inclusion of this content can inspire students to pursue careers in marine industries, fostering the next generation of professionals who will continue to advance our understanding and stewardship of marine environments.
– Jac Gautreau, Director of business development, distribution and production, Ocean School
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About Ocean School:
Ocean School is a program of the Ocean Frontier Institute in partnership with the National Film Board of Canada. Ocean School is a free online educational experience that sits at the intersection of science, education, and storytelling. Its mission is to advance environmental awareness and ocean literacy—the understanding of our influence on the ocean and the ocean’s influence on us. Ocean School develops online and classroom-based resources that illustrate the complex relationship between humans and the ocean. Learning tools include short films, interactive games, 360-degree immersive ocean experiences and more.
About the Partners:
- CSL Group
- Chamber of Marine Commerce
- Canadian Marine Careers Foundation
- The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation
