On its way out of Duluth, Alder changes command

Duluth, MN – Days before the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Alder sails out of Duluth for the last time, the vessel and its unit said goodbye to its old commander and welcomed a new one.

In a change-of-command ceremony at the Coast Guard station on Park Point, Lt. Cmdr. Joel Wright relieved Lt. Cmdr. Justin Erdman in front of family, friends and about three-dozen “Coasties.”

“You hear a lot about sea stories working in the Coast Guard,” Erdman said, retiring after 28 years and assignments across seven different vessels. “The best part of sea stories is the people you share them with.” The change-of-command ceremony is a formal event conducted throughout military branches, representative of continuity of command without interruption.

Wright will be in command Wednesday, when Alder sails out of the Great Lakes for the last time after more than 16 years stationed in Duluth. Alder is bound for a year of repair and maintenance in Baltimore followed by a new assignment in San Francisco.

Wright will then return to Duluth in command of the USCG Cutter Spar, a similar 225-foot buoy tender with ice-breaking capabilities.

Duluth News Tribune

Read more and view images at this link: https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/business/transportation/7089825-On-its-way-out-of-Duluth-Alder-changes-command

Historic lake freighter Anderson visits Grand Haven for the first time

Grand Haven, MI – On Tuesday night, the steamship Arthur M. Anderson visited Grand Haven for the first time in its storied 69-year career. It arrived in port at sunset, blasting two master salutes on the way in. The vessel offloaded a load of stone at the Verplank dock in Ferrysburg and was outbound early Wednesday morning.

There are few vessels sailing the Great Lakes with as much historical significance as the Arthur M. Anderson. Not only is it one of the last operating steamships on the Great Lakes, but it was the last vessel to have visual, radio, and radar contact with the SS Edmund Fitzgerald.

The Anderson was built for the Pittsburgh Steamship Company, which was a division of the United States Steel Corporation. The vessel’s namesake, Mr. Arthur Marvin Anderson, was a director of United States Steel Corporation and a member of its finance committee. He was also vice-chairman of J.P. Morgan & Company. The Anderson originally measured 647 feet long, 70 feet wide, and 36 feet deep. Fraser Shipyards in Superior, Wisconsin lengthened the vessel 120 feet in 1975 and would later convert it to a self-unloader during the winter of 1982. It currently measures 767 feet long, 70 feet wide, and 36 feet deep.

On November 10th, 1975, the Arthur M. Anderson and Edmund Fitzgerald were sailing in close proximity battling an intense gale on Lake Superior. The Fitzgerald had taken on water and lost their radars. The vessels were closing in on the shelter of Whitefish Bay when the bridge crew of the Anderson saw the lights of the Fitzgerald disappear into a snow squall and disappear off their radar.

The Anderson reported the Fitzgerald missing to the Coast Guard and attempted to search for the ship. After safely reaching Whitefish Bay, the Anderson was contacted by the Coast Guard to go back out and conduct another search.

The bond between Great Lakes sailors was on full display that night as the crews of the Anderson and other vessels put their own safety aside to search for their fellow mariners.

Ultimately, there were no signs of survivors. The Anderson sighted a piece of a lifeboat, and later a damaged lifeboat. The latter was recovered and can be found onboard the museum ship Valley Camp in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, immortalized in song by Gordon Lightfoot, is the most well-known shipwreck in Great Lakes History. The Arthur M. Anderson and its crew will never be forgotten for the role they played that fateful November night.

If you want to learn more about the Edmund Fitzgerald, there is no shortage of information on the subject. I would recommend the books S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald: Requiem for the Toledo Express by Raymond Ramsay and Mighty Fitz: The Sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Michael Schumaker. Additionally, there are radio recordings between Captain Bernie Cooper of the Anderson and the Coast Guard from the night the Fitz sank on Youtube.

Other traffic we had over the past week was Lower Lakes Towing’s motor vessel Michipicoten at Meekhof’s D&M on Harbor Island. The Michipicoten came in Sunday afternoon with a load of stone and departed later that night with assistance from the Great Lakes Towing tug Cleveland, which came in from Chicago.

Grand Haven Tribune, Samuel Hankinson

                                         Video: USS Cod at Donjon Shipyard, Erie Pa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cxLDHukRF4

S.S. Badger has engine trouble on cross-lake trip

Sunday morning on its crossing from Ludington to Manitowoc, the SS Badger experienced a mechanical issue that required the crew to take the starboard engine offline for repairs. The vessel  safely proceeded on one engine and was delayed in arriving at Manitowoc. Repairs were quickly made, and the Badger left for Ludington in the afternoon. AIS at 9:30 p.m. Sunday showed her midway between ports moving at 13.4 knots.

S.S. Badger: Lake Michigan Carferry

Two men, boy found dead on boat spinning in circles on Lake Erie

Cleveland, OH – The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner has identified the three people who died in a boating incident Wednesday evening. Frank A Opaskar, 76 of Avon Lake, Christopher Kedas, 45, and Owen Kedas, 11, both of Huron, were found unresponsive about 6 p.m. on a boat in Lake Erie, the medical examiner said.

The Coast Guard said the boat was spotted going in circles near the water intake off the shore of downtown Cleveland. Coast Guard officials arrived and found the three on the boat, unresponsive.

Members of the Coast Guard broke a window on the boat and put the boat in neutral. Carbon-monoxide detectors were set off, the Coast Guard said. The Coast Guard towed the boat back to Station Cleveland Harbor where emergency personnel responded and evaluated the three victims.

Opaskar and Kedas were pronounced dead at the scene. The youngest Kedas was pronounced dead at MetroHeath, the Coast Guard said. The incident is still under investigation.

M Live

Fraser Shipyards in Superior, Wis., has new owners, global goals

Duluth, MN – Fraser Industries, a 130-year-old shipyard in Superior, Wis., has new owners with global ambitions. Oslo, Norway-based Cleaves Invest and Chicago-based Foundry Mountain Infrastructure Partners announced their joint venture acquisition on Friday.

Fraser Industries comprises Fraser Shipyards, Lake Assault Boats and Northern Engineering Company, all located in Superior. The company was founded in 1890 and has been owned by the Capstan Corp. since 1977.

Cleaves Invest is a privately owned ship-brokering and financial services group that focuses in part on offshore infrastructure. The company has offices in the U.S., U.K. and Singapore.

Last year, Fraser began seeking $26 million in state and federal assistance to upgrade one of its two dry docks as it looks to increase its capacity and potentially serve more Great Lakes vessels.

Subsidiary Lake Assault Boats landed a five-year contract with the U.S. Navy worth up to $56 million and was set to start delivering last fall. The company typically supplies fire departments and search and rescue operations.

Star Tribune

Read more here: https://www.startribune.com/fraser-shipyards-in-superior-wis-has-new-owners-global-goals/600072027/

Soo area health department awarded token of appreciation for Great Lakes vaccination efforts

Sault Ste. Marie, MI – The Chippewa County Health Department was awarded with a token of appreciation by the Lake Carriers Association after a successful vaccination program for Great Lakes sailors.

Beginning April 6, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the health department began the process of executing a COVID-19 vaccination program called “Shots on Ships” for Great Lakes sailors. Vaccines were given to crew members on the ships that passed through the Soo Locks.

“We just wanted to come up and say thank you to the Chippewa County Health Department and also the Corps for everything they’ve done to get over 300 people vaccinated through the program,” said Eric Peace, with operations and communications for the Lake Carriers’ Association. “These are essential workers on these ships. These sailors didn’t have opportunities to get their shots before they were able to board the ship and continue operations. This was a vital, vital piece for our operations to continue here on the Great Lakes.”

The Chippewa County Health Department was awarded a replica of the Paul R. Tregurtha, unofficially considered the queen of the Great Lakes since it is currently the longest vessel active on the lakes. According to a press release, this is a token to memorialize a historic event of kindness and compassion.

The token of appreciation awarded to the Chippewa County Health Department from the Lake Carriers’ Association, held by Jill Schaefer, personal health clerk. It reads, “2021 Shots of Ships (SOS); Chippewa County Health Department; ‘Thanks for the Lifeline;’ Lake Carriers’ Association.”

Health department staff accepted the token at the Soo Locks Visitors Center on Friday morning during the first early hours of Engineers Day in the Sault.

“Take pride in what you’ve done here,” said Peace after awarding the health department staff the replica. “When they started doing this program in the Sault, we saw other ports in the Great Lakes jump onboard, whether it was Cleveland, Duluth, Toledo … You set the stage for the rest of the Great Lakes and this is a monumental occasion.”

“Take pride in what you’ve done here,” said Eric Peace after awarding the health department staff the replica. “When they started doing this program in the Sault, we saw other ports in the Great Lakes jump onboard, whether it was Cleveland, Duluth, Toledo … You set the stage for the rest of the Great Lakes and this is a monumental occasion.”

Over 300 vaccines on 25 different vessels have been administered through the program. Vaccine administration still occurs and will be expanding shortly to include Canadian and other foreign vessels. Steinhaus explained the Chippewa County Health Department only recently received State of Michigan permission to vaccinate non-U.S. vessels.

The health department directly involved with Shots on Ships include Zimmerman, Cindy Ockenfels, Alison Krasprzak, Margaret Smith, Carey, Schaefer, Tonya Joss and Steinhaus.

“This has been really phenomenal for our staff to be able to get on board these ships,” said Steinhaus. “I mean things you never think you’re going to have the chance to do. It’s been wonderful.”

Steinhaus said the ship replica is located in the break room right now so everyone will have a chance to view it, but eventually it will be moved to a specific location in the health department’s personal health division.

Soo News

Sault Ste. Marie celebrates Engineers Day at Soo Locks

Sault Ste. Marie, MI – The rain held off Friday in Sault Ste. Marie for the annual Engineers Day event. Last year, the event was cancelled due to the pandemic.

On Friday, it was “re-engineered” because the public was still not allowed beyond the gates of the locks themselves. The Army Corps made that decision a couple of months ago. Although the park and viewing platform were open, that did not stop visitors from exploring the other interesting things that city leaders put together.

“With the locks being closed, it’s fine,” said Nick Stenstrup, a Boatnerd”from St. Paul, Minnesota. “It doesn’t bother anybody none. We are chasing boats and that is what we are here to do. It’s like a second family. It really is. We talk about this being our boat family.”

Also, as part of the day’s events, the Coast Guard had an open house with an arts and crafts show on the city hall grounds.

View the TV 9&10 News report here: https://www.9and10news.com/2021/06/25/sault-ste-marie-celebrates-engineers-day-at-the-soo-locks/

                          Federal ballast water regulations run afoul of Canada’s environmental goals
New ballast water regulations released by Transport Canada on Wednesday unfairly target Canadian ship operators — who have spent billions of dollars on new fuel-efficient, eco-ships — while giving an extra six years for compliance to owners of older vessels, including those of virtually all U.S. ships operating in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence inland waterway. Ballast water refers to the water ships have to regularly take on, and discharge, at each port of call for stability/safety reasons.

The Chamber of Marine Commerce has repeatedly alerted federal regulators and politicians that this inequitable treatment creates an unlevel playing field between Canadian and U.S. domestic fleets (which operate virtually all older vessels) and discourages further investment in new, more fuel-efficient ships that produce significantly lower greenhouse gases.

The ballast water regulations correctly recognize that ships operating solely in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence waters have unique technical and operating challenges and that more time is needed to find ballast water treatment systems that meet compliance requirements.  It gives those ships until 2030 to install systems.  However, without any justification, the regulations have given ships built on or after 2009, operating in the same waterway, a compliance deadline of 2024, despite the absence of any suitable available technology that can ensure compliance by that date.

Bruce Burrows, President and CEO of the Chamber of Marine Commerce, says: “This is a very disappointing development that will risk jobs and stall economic recovery, while doing little to protect the environment. The regulations as they stand may actually impair rather than protect the environment, as shipowners with newer ships will have to seek extensions or will be installing systems at great expense that don’t work.   At the same time, the exorbitant and escalating costs of attempting to install systems will make new ships less competitive and completely undermine the Canadian government’s goals to reduce emissions and support the advancement of technology.”

If new ships are forced to meet the 2024 deadline, extra costs will likely be passed on to Canadian manufacturing and agricultural customers, making them less competitive than their U.S. counterparts that use U.S. domestic ships without systems on the same Great Lakes.  These costs would be added at a time when inflation on raw materials and consumer goods is already at a 10-year high and the world attempts to recover from the pandemic.

There have been no new introductions of non-native invasive species in the Great Lakes (attributed to ships ballast water) reported since 2006 when new Canada/U.S. ballast water requirements jointly came into effect. It’s also important to note that both Canadian and U.S. domestic vessels do not travel overseas and pose no risk of introducing new invasive species.

The Canadian government says that the rules are being applied to domestic ships to reduce the risk of spread of potential, future species that might be introduced in the bi-national connected waters. Their calculation of the benefits of these regulations are almost entirely based on theoretical future invasions – which do not match the real-world experience of the Great Lakes for the past 15 years – and to which domestic vessels do not contribute.

Transport Canada’s calculation of the costs associated with installing treatment systems on domestic ships is also significantly underestimated.

A recent study by Research and Traffic Group, showed that it would cost more than $560 million to finance, install and operate treatment systems on all Canadian domestic ships working in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River exclusively, versus $31 million in expected environmental benefits.

The Canadian rules also contradict American rules in the bi-national waterway. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently decided that new ships that operate solely in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence, and are built after 2009, face the exact same hurdles to install systems as older ships. The EPA’s rationale is that due to vessel design, operating conditions such as water temperature and turbidity, trade patterns, voyage length and other issues, there are no current ballast water management systems that are practical or suitable for Great Lakes-St. Lawrence vessels. Accordingly, the reasons for the pre- and post-2009 distinction drawn by the Canadian government for purposes of an earlier (2024) compliance date, without any proven evidence in support of it, remain completely irrational and puzzling in the circumstances.

Gregg Ruhl, CEO of Algoma Central Corporation, which owns and operates the largest Canadian domestic fleet on the Great Lakes, says targeting new vessels could perversely lead to ship operators prolonging the life of older, less-efficient ships.

“Algoma Central has spent over $500 million to renew our Great Lakes fleet with 11 brand new vessels that are 40% more carbon-efficient and are equipped with scrubbers that virtually eliminate many air pollutants,” says Ruhl.  “We are environmental leaders and yet we are being penalized with unfair and impossible expectations.  Does it make sense for companies to invest in fleet renewal if it puts them at a disadvantage to their competitors?”

Canada Steamship Lines, a division of The CSL Group (CSL), which has also built seven new ships in the last decade, recently trialed a ballast water treatment system on a Great Lakes vessel built in 2012. Louis Martel, President and CEO of CSL, says the early results show that the purchase and installation costs are well above government modelling, that the operational costs of the system, including trading delays caused by system constraints are higher than anticipated and, most importantly, that the system is not yet able to consistently meet regulatory environmental performance criteria.

These amendments also violate several policy objectives in its enabling legislation, the Canada Shipping Act, including the development of a regulatory scheme that encourages viable, effective and economical marine transportation and commerce; the promotion of an efficient marine transportation system; encouraging the harmonization of marine practices; and the establishment of an effective inspection and enforcement program (e.g. as ships would be penalized for not complying with something currently impossible to comply with.)

Burrows concludes: “The Canadian government is imposing a half-baked solution onto Canada’s ‘hometown’ fleet that would add minimal environmental benefit while imposing a significant economic impact on the important Great Lakes – St. Lawrence trade corridor. Simply put, some of our shipowners will be spending millions on technology that may not work, while our government provides favorable treatment to our U.S. competitors.”

Chamber of Marine Commerce

                                                    Seaway Visitors’ Center opens July 2
Massena, NY – The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) is announcing that the Dwight D. Eisenhower Visitors’ Center, located at the U.S. Eisenhower Lock in Massena, NY, will open to the public on a limited basis on Friday, July 2.  It will remain open daily, including weekends, through Labor Day, September 6, 2021.  The hours of operation are from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily

The Seaway Visitors’ Center at the Eisenhower Lock provides tourists and ship watchers with an observation deck where they can view commercial vessels as they transit the lock that raises and lowers ships more than 40 feet.  The center’s exterior grounds and observation deck will be open, while the main indoor building facility will remain closed except for elderly visitors and persons unable to walk the steps to the observation deck.  A number of safety precautions will be in place and there will be strict enforcement of social distancing, mask wearing if unvaccinated, a temperature check for all visitors, and additional measures consistent with current COVID-19 safety protocols for Federal facilities.

The Center is located off Route 37 in Massena, NY.  Turn right at the traffic light at the St. Lawrence Centre Mall entrance if approaching westbound or left if heading eastbound.  The Visitors’ Center entrance is 1.5 miles on the right.  Parking is free in the lot adjacent to the Center.

For up-to date information on estimated vessel transit times, call (315) 769-2422 for a voice recording of that day’s projected lockage schedule.  Additional information is on the website at https://greatlakes-seaway.com/en/navigating-the-seaway/seaway-map/.  This map updates every 15 minutes with details on those ships currently in transit within the Seaway System.  To obtain specific lock information, visit our Vessel Transit Information page (https://www.glslw-glvm.com/R2/jsp/R2.jsp?language=E&loc=VT00.jsp) and pull down the Order of Turn information.  This offers real-time information on those vessels preparing to enter any of the locks.

                                             Boatnerds gather in Soo for annual picnic
Sault Ste. Marie, MI – Around 50 Boatnerds gathered at Sault Ste. Marie for an informal picnic on Thursday in conjunction with the annual Engineers Day on Friday. The event was held at the  Sherman Park pavilion, with hamburgers and hot dogs provided by the book Know Your Ships.

Chef ahoy! Culinary ace aboard ships rides wave of popularity with a cookbook

Brockville, ON – While growing up in Brockville, Ontario, Catherine Schmuck would watch the big ships go up and down the St. Lawrence Seaway. “We would always go to Blockhouse Island as a family after church and get an ice cream, hope to see a ship pass,” Catherine said. Mainly, the ships were just part of the scenery, something to take for granted while thinking little about life on board.

But these days, Ms. Schmuck’s adventures in food are followed closely as she documents cooking for crew members on some of those ships. The popularity by fans of her blogging has inspired her to create a cookbook about her culinary adventures on ship, and also about her renowned culinary experiences ashore. The self-published book is scheduled to be released in late summer. It became available for pre-order on Tuesday, and in its first 24 hours of sales, 500 books were sold.

“I have received orders from England, Sweden, Germany, Ireland, Florida, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, all the states and provinces bordering the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway,” Mrs. Schmuck wrote on her blog on Wednesday.

When it comes to the cooks aboard Seaway freighters and tankers, Ms. Schmuck sails above and beyond them all, according to one veteran Seaway ship captain, who is also a trainer and evaluator.

“There are cooks, and then there are cooks. And Catherine is more than just a cook,” said Capt. Duane Dempsey of Montreal-based Canada Steamship Lines Group. “Every meal that she puts out, every single meal — breakfast, lunch and supper — it has her signature on it. Every plate that goes out to each crew member on board is just a work of art.”

Read more at this link: https://www.nny360.com/artsandlife/columns/sundayportrait/chef-ahoy-culinary-ace-aboard-ships-rides-wave-of-popularity-with-a-cookbook/article_5a50b8e9-3e8a-5064-8344-20b2883f2826.html?fbclid=IwAR1KOvOS4KigQMm5Pyz4CYvuqDk5FPJC-TgVoTjUJxcNYpifglztuOeOgrM

Open house at U.S. Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie on Friday

Sault Ste. Marie. MI – Sector Sault Ste. Marie will host an open house from 10 – 2 Friday, June 25th, for Engineers Day. The entrance will be through the gate on East Water Street. Come by and interact with Coast Guard members, vessels and equipment. Make sure to visit the CG Exchange and get your Onyx books signed by the author, Tyler Benson. At 2:00, make your way over to the George Kemp Downtown Marina to view Air Station Traverse City conduct a helicopter / rescue swimmer demo.
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste Marie

Celebrate Ding Schoonmaker Day at National Museum of the Great Lakes

Toledo, OH – The National Museum of the Great Lakes will be holding “Ding Schoonmaker Day” on July 1, offering FREE admission to museum vessels with the purchase of museum-only admission. Ding Schoonmaker Day was developed to be both a celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the rechristening of the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship and in honor of the late Ding Schoonmaker, the grandson of the vessel’s namesake who was instrumental in the boat’s restoration.

Please note that pre-order tickets will not be available for July 1, admission will be walk-in only. In addition, to help increase available visitor opportunities, individuals interested in remaining later can consider purchasing tickets for our after-hours History Happy Hour: Sailor Stories, an interactive experience taking place on top of the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship the same day from 5-7:30 p.m.

Additional Information on Ding Schoonmaker Day and History Happy Hour: Sailor Stories can be found online at nmgl.org

ADMISSION: $11 Museum & Ship (Regularly $17) – Adults (18-64)
$10 Museum & Ship (Regularly $16) – Seniors (65+)
$8 Museum & Ship (Regularly $14) – Youth (6-17)
FREE – Children 5 and under
FREE – GLHS/NMGL Members

National Museum of the Great Lakes

Shots on Ships: Health Department to receive recognition for crew vaccinations

Sault Ste. Marie, MI – A successful vaccination program for Great Lakes sailors will result in a token of appreciation to the Chippewa County Health Department on June 25.

The U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet began the process of readying their vessels for the shipping season on March 24 amid the pandemic. As COVID-19 cases were surging and vaccines began to roll out, many Great Lakes sailors did not have an opportunity to receive the vaccine in their home state before they needed to report for their essential work.

Since many vessels pass through the Soo Locks on an average day as they transport vital raw materials from ports on Lake Superior to the lower lakes, this centralized location became a mass vaccination site for mariners. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Chippewa County Health Department agreed to a Lake Carriers’ Association plea for help after a short discussion.

“My role facilitated the initial planning and coordination which started at the first call from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,” said Lana Steinhaus, deputy health officer for the Chippewa County Health Department. “I also had the privilege of going aboard a freighter to assist with the necessary vaccination paperwork. There were three main agencies involved in the planning: Lake Carriers’ Association, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Chippewa County Health Department.”

Steinhaus said there was a two-day timespan from the initial Army Corps inquiry on whether crew member vaccination would even be possible to the first vaccine given. A conference call took place on a Tuesday with all parties and by Thursday, health department staff had provided vaccines to the first ship.

Beginning on April 6, the Army Corps and the health department began the process of executing a COVID-19 vaccination program called “Shots on Ships” for Great Lakes sailors.

The Shots on Ships program required an individual from the Lake Carriers’ Association to contact the health department and Army Corps when crew member ships were requesting vaccination. The Lake Carriers’ Association would ensure the requesting ship’s crew members registered online so health department staff had the pertinent information, and the Lake Carriers’ Association notified the Army Corps which ships would need special accommodation for the vaccines.

From there, the Army Corps would then notify the health department when the requesting ship was in the Locks and direct staff where to meet with the ship.

“Sometimes staff would board the ships at West Pier and other times in the locks as the ship was going through,” said Steinhaus. “Once Chippewa County Health Department staff boarded, after being provided a lifejacket and hard hat by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the vaccine administration was no different other than the location where staff were vaccinating.”

Vaccine administration still occurs and will be expanding shortly to include Canadian and other foreign vessels. Steinhaus explained the Chippewa County Health Department only recently received State of Michigan permission to vaccinate non-U.S. vessels.

Prior to this, the Chippewa County Health Department has never participated in such a program. Steinhaus described this program as “extremely unique” and has now seen similar programs appearing around other waterways. The health department members directly involved in the Shots on Ships program are Charity Zimmerman, Cindy Ockenfels, Alison Krasprzak, Margaret Smith, Steve Carey, Jill Schaefer, Tonya Joss and Steinhaus.

“We are thankful beyond words for the efforts of the Chippewa County Health Department and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,” said Jim Weakley, president of the Lake Carriers’ Association. “Without the Shots on Ships Program, many U.S. Great Lakes sailors would not have had an opportunity to be immunized against the COVID-19 virus. Protecting our sailors and the ports they visit remains a top priority. We remain forever in debt to the men and women of the health department and the Soo Locks Army Corps.”

To date, over 300 vaccines on 25 different vessels have been administered through the Shots on Ships program.

The token of appreciation will be presented by the Lake Carriers’ Association to the Chippewa County Health Department at 10 a.m. on June 25. According to a press release, this is a token to memorialize a historic event of kindness and compassion.

Soo News

Iron ore shipments up 7% year-over-year on Great Lakes

Northwest Indiana – Shipment of iron ore — a key raw material that feeds the blazing blast furnaces at Northwest Indiana’s lakefront steel mills — have risen more than 7% year-over-year to 1.4 million tons thus far this shipping season.

Overall international cargo shipped through the St. Lawrence Seaway to Great Lakes ports like the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor have dipped slightly by 0.59% to 8.15 million metric tons through the end of May.

“Generally, we are seeing increasing efficiencies in the Great Lakes Seaway System, with vessels remaining in the system longer and stopping at multiple ports to load and discharge cargo,” Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation Deputy Administrator Craig Middlebrook said. “Many of our Great Lakes ports are handling a more diversified mix of cargo, reflective of what is happening in the economy, and particularly notable for commodities utilized by the manufacturing sector.”

National steel output is up 8.7% so far this year and more than 46% over the same time last year, after steel mills sunk to just over half capacity early in the coronavirus pandemic around this time in 2020.

Shipments of asphalt rose 192% to 63,000 metric tons, gypsum 59% to 221,000 metric tons, and coal 0.06% to 466,000 metric tons year-over-year. Grain shipments have fallen 4.05% to 2.4 million metric tons.

The Chamber of Marine Commerce reports general cargo shipments were up 37% as compared to 2020 and 23% as compared to the five-year average, driven partly by imports of steel from Europe. It attributed increases in cargo volumes of steel, iron ore and construction materials to a resurgence in manufacturing and building.

“Prices and demand for raw materials are surging around the globe as well as in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region as the pace of economic recovery has taken everyone by surprise,” said Bruce Burrows, president and CEO of the Chamber of Marine Commerce. “Our marine highway is delivering products and materials to support everything from infrastructure and building projects, to automotive and consumer goods manufacturing.”

Passing from the Atlantic Ocean through the St. Lawrence Seaway, international ships transport more than 160 million metric tons of cargo on the Great Lakes each year. The trade is estimated to generate $35 billion in economic activity, supporting more than 237,000 jobs.

NW Indiana Times

Superyacht Scout transits Welland Canal

Scout, a 209-foot-long superyacht built in 2019 by Dutch shipbuilder Hakvoort Shipyards, recently transited the Welland Canal. The linked video shows her enroute to Buffalo, N.Y. She was built at a cost of $85 million USD, and costs between $5-8 million USD annually to run. She was designed to the theme of the 1950s movie “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.”
Bill Salton

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxPAXmCfhgk&t=3s
Read more about the Scout here: https://www.elitetraveler.com/cars-jets-and-yachts/yachts/spectacular-superyacht-scout-making-waves

USS COD continues to receive repairs at Donjon

Erie, PA –The USS COD is getting touched up after its arrival from Cleveland to Erie’s Donjon Shipbuilding and Repair. The COD is the only World War II fleet submarine that is still intact. “We’re spending the time now to go through the vessels and see what needs to be repaired and what work needs to be performed. It’s quite unusual that normally we come in with a full spike and kinda know what we’re getting into,” said Rick Hammer, General Manager of Donjon Shipbuilding and Repair.

View an interview at this link: https://www.yourerie.com/news/local-news/uss-cod-continues-to-receive-repairs-at-donjon-shipbuilding-and-repair/?fbclid=IwAR1SBsOEXkkYe2oZ3gIqUmvC70xhESZMhcuVT7UpKuJ7ZdhEReKSsQcbEYA