Boatnerd News
Boatnerd News – October 21, 2025
Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum Offers 2
Special Edmund Fitzgerald Events
WHITEFISH POINT, MI – Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum has two special events happening before the Fitzgerald memorial on November 10th. One on November 7th and one on the 9th. All our events this fall are free to the public…please read below.
NOVEMBER 7th
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum will host an Edmund Fitzgerald speaker panel to take place on Friday, November 7, 2025 (6:30pm) at the Whitefish Township Community Center in Paradise, MI. Panelists will range from historians and surviving Fitzgerald family members…to Shipwreck Society staff and a former engineer on the Fitzgerald. This is a free event and seating will be on a first-come, first serve basis. The event will last approximately 1.5 hours. The Whitefish Township Community Center is located at: 7052 M-123, Paradise, MI 49768.
ON NOVEMBER 9th
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society will soon release the second edition of its popular Edmund Fitzgerald publication, The Legend Lives On. With an additional 48-pages of content, this richly illustrated book features historic imagery and artwork of “Big Fitz” during its working life and of this ship’s ongoing story across the years since November 10, 1975. The GLSHS official release and book signing of The Legend Lives On will take place at the Shipwreck Coast Museum Store on the Shipwreck Museum campus (Whitefish Point) on Sunday, November 9, 2025 from 1pm-3pm. Authors Bruce Lynn and Christopher Winters will be signing copies of the book at this time
Milwaukee’s 2026 Cruise Season Will Be Aided By New, All-American Cruise Ship
The Miami of the Midwest appears poised to have its moment in the sun next summer. Cruise traffic in Milwaukee is expected to nearly triple in 2026.
The number of vessel calls is expected to grow from 22 to 60, aided in part by a brand new ship entering the Great Lakes and the mid-season opening of the $17 million South Shore Cruise Dock.
The U.S.-made American Patriot will call on Milwaukee six times. Utilizing an all-American crew, the 243-foot, 130-passenger vessel will offer two all-U.S. itineraries from Milwaukee.
“They’re all going to be turnaround visits,” Korey Garceau, port trade representative, told the Harbor Commission Thursday morning. Turnarounds mark the end of one trip and start of another and are highly desirable for ports because they involve hotel stays, air travel, more passenger spending and more vessel service purchases.
The American Patriot being American-made and flagged allows operator American Cruise Lines to offer an only-stateside itinerary, avoiding restrictions imposed by the Passenger Vessel Services Act on foreign ships that force most Great Lakes cruises to include Canada.
American Cruise Lines, the parent company of current Milwaukee cruise tenant Pearl Seas Cruises, will offer a Milwaukee to Cleveland cruise as well as a Lake Michigan loop that includes Sheboygan, Green Bay, Escanaba and Muskegon.
The American Patriot will join Pearl Seas’ Pearl Mist vessel in docking at Pier Wisconsin at Discovery World. Connecticut-based Pearl Seas already uses Milwaukee as its Great Lakes base and heavily features the Cream City in its marketing materials. It also holds a 10-year, priority lease for the dock adjacent to downtown.
After a trial visit in 2018, the company replaced Chicago with Milwaukee as the western endpoint for its Great Lakes cruises. Milwaukee officials have lauded the company for launching the city’s cruise ship business.
The 325-foot, 210-passenger Pearl Mist visited Milwaukee five times in 2025.
American Cruise Lines also operates several other United States cruises, including Mississippi River trips.
Victory Cruise Lines, which operates two vessels that each carry up to 190 passengers, is expected to boost its Milwaukee calls from three in 2025 to 30 in 2026.
2025 was down year
Port officials knew 2025 would be a down year for cruise traffic, but the city is betting millions on the South Shore Cruise Dock elevating cruise business to new levels.
The city saw 11,096 cruise passengers in 2025, only 41 off the expected total of 11,137. All 22 planned vessel visits were made, with last week’s Hapag Lloyd‘s Hanseatic Inspiration visit being the last of the season.
Last year, the city nearly eclipsed its 2022 record total of 13,611 passengers when 13,568 passengers came through the port. The 2025 total is the lowest post-2020 total recorded, and port officials previously attributed it to Viking Cruises temporarily repositioning its itineraries.
Viking and its two 665-foot, 378-passengers were the driver for the city to build a new cruise dock. The Seawayway max vessels, the largest size that can enter and exit the Great Lakes, are too large to dock at the downtown dock.
The new dock, 2320 S. Lincoln Memorial Dr., is located at the south end of the 467-acre port next to the Lake Express Ferry terminal. Viking’s vessels currently dock at the industrial heavy lift dock on the inner harbor.
Not every vessel is expected to follow Viking to the new dock.
“It will be draft dependent,” said Garceau. He estimated 50% of vessels would still dock at Pier Wisconsin.
Port Milwaukee plans to open its new South Shore Cruise Dock next summer after bid documents revealed the initial completion date was delayed from April, the start of cruise season, to June 30.
The city held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new dock in September.
[Urban Milwaukee]
Boo on the Boat Marks Halloween
at National Museum of the Great Lakes
Toledo, Ohio – The National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) invites families to celebrate Halloween at Boo on the Boat, happening Friday, October 24 through Sunday, October 26. Join us during museum hours for Halloween fun aboard two of Toledo’s most historic haunts—the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship and the Museum Tug Ohio.
Costumed trick-or-treaters can explore the pilothouses and galleys, collecting treats in pre-portioned, sealed bags at haunted stations along the way. The event offers a frightfully fun way for young explorers to dive into Great Lakes history while enjoying the spooky season.
[See details in the gallery below.]
Fitzgerald Memorial Plans Announced By
Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society will hold an outdoor public remembrance service for the 50th Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial at Whitefish Point on Monday, November 10th, 2025 at 2 p.m.
PLAN AHEAD – WHAT TO EXPECT:
Outdoor Shelter: NO tent or seating will be setup for the outdoor public ceremony, as November can have volatile weather that would cause more harm than good. Check the weather forecast prior to traveling to Whitefish Point, and know your limits.
*(Seating will be provided for speakers and individuals ringing the bell.)
Parking: LIMITED parking is available at Whitefish Point. No RVs, Campers, or trailers will be allowed to park in the PAVED parking areas. Once paved parking areas are filled, be prepared to park along the shoulder of the road prior to reaching Whitefish Point.
No Shuttle Services: Be prepared to walk the distance from where you parked to get to Whitefish Point. Know your limits!
Museum Closed: The Museum will be closed to the public. Restrooms will be open.
Grounds Cleared: In order to make room (and parking available) for Fitzgerald families driving-in for the evening ceremony, daytime visitors will be asked to leave the grounds by 5PM.
A ceremony for family members only will take place at 7:00 PM, which will be livestreamed for the public. Under no circumstances will the evening ceremony for the family members of the Edmund Fitzgerald be open to the public.
The live stream link of the evening ceremony will be made available prior to the ceremony via our website and social media channels.
[Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society]
National Museum of the Great Lakes Remembers the Fitzgerald
Fifty years after the Edmund Fitzgerald tragically met its demise in Lake Superior, the National Museum of the Great Lakes invites you to Toledo for four powerful days of stories, music and reflection remembering the ship’s 29-man crew-many of whom called Toledo home.
[See the two-page flyer in the gallery.]
Mark 50 years since Edmund Fitzgerald sinking with historic cuisine, wreath laying
DETROIT, MI – From dining on authentic cuisine served on the ill-fated freighter to a solemn laying of wreaths on the water, the Detroit Historical Society is hosting a weekend of events to honor the 29 mariners who died in the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald nearly 50 years ago.
The museum is planning several opportunities, paid and free, to honor the Fitzgerald, which went down in a violent storm on Nov. 10, 1975, and is remembered in the Gordon Lightfoot ballad.
Rebecca Salminen-Witt, a spokeswoman for the Detroit Historical Society, said tickets are expected to sell out fast for a special brunch set for Sunday, Nov. 9, and the solemn wreath-laying ceremony on Nov. 10. Free events also are scheduled at the museum throughout the weekend.
“It’s important for people to learn about this history ― there’s a lot of it. And Detroit played a huge role in the maritime history of the state and in the whole country,” Salminen-Witt said.
Friday Nov. 7
The commemorative weekend kicks off at 11 a.m. with a book talk featuring Thomas Nelson, the author of “Wrecked: the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy.”
Salminen-Witt said Nelson’s book takes a unique perspective on the ship’s sinking and how the loss of thousands of pounds of ore affected Michigan’s manufacturing economy, ultimately impacting the nation’s economy.
Register for the book talk here: https://www.detroithistorical.org/events/book-talk-wrecked
Detroit Free Press
Huge crowd expected for 50th anniversary
memorial of sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald
A crowd of about 2,000 people is expected to turn out next month when Split Rock Lighthouse and the Minnesota Historical Society host a memorial to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald on Nov. 10.
The ship left port in Superior, Wis., in 1975 “With a load of iron ore, 26,000 tons more, than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty,” as immortalized in Gordon Lightfoot’s famous song about the wreck. The Fitz would have passed just a few miles off shore from Split Rock.
For the past 40 years, the lighthouse has observed the anniversary with a ceremony in which the names of the 29 crew members who perished in Lake Superior are read aloud to the tolling of a ship’s bell. Then Split Rock’s beacon is lit in their honor.
This year’s event will continue that tradition. In addition, former Split Rock Lighthouse Site Manager Lee Radzak will discuss why he started the annual memorial 40 years ago.
“My first one that I attended was actually the first day I was here on site, back in 2019, and the emotional response that I had was just very striking to me,” recalls current site manager Hayes Scriven.
“Listening to the names and the bell being rung, and all of sudden the light comes on, it’s very moving.”
Scriven said they’ve already sold more tickets in advance this year than they ever have for past events. He advises those interested in attending to arrive a few hours before it starts at 4 pm. Free shuttles will also be available from Silver Bay.
He believes there are a few reasons why the tragedy still resonates so deeply with people today. Many know it through the iconic song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” There’s also the enduring mystery of what precisely led to the ship and crew’s demise.
Thousands of tourists flock to Duluth and the North Shore of Lake Superior to see up close the giant 1,000-foot freighters that carry iron ore and other materials across the Great Lakes. Scriven says many people have a hard time fathoming how one of those enormous ships could disappear.
“We’re just trying to provide a little place for memory and for remembrance and to really put into perspective the power of the lake,” Scriven says. “So that’s why we think it’s very important for us to keep doing this.”
MPR News
Detroit Historical Society hosts several events for 50th anniversary of Edmund Fitzgerald sinking
By: Max White
(WXYZ) — The Detroit Historical Society is hosting a full weekend of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
According to the society, the activities all take place at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle, and will kick off on Friday, Nov. 7, with a talk by author Thomas Nelson, who wrote the book “WRECKED: the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy.”
On Saturday, Nov. 8, curators and docents will host drop-in tours of the Edmund Fitzgerald exhibit on the lower level of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. Also, the Great Lakes Maritime Institute will be there for information and merchandise.
Also on Saturday, the Livonia Amateur Radio Club will be in DeRoy Hall for the Edmund Fitzgerald radio broadcast, and a new pop-up exhibit will debut.
Sunday morning, the museum will host its first-ever Maritime Brunch, which will feature a chef-prepared meal directly from the Edmund Fitzgerald’s on-ship menu, along with a video presentation from Ship-to-Shore Chef Catherine Schmuck.
During the brunch, a new film will premiere about the Edmund Fitzgerald with experts from around the Great Lakes. Tickets for the brunch are available now.
Finally, on Monday, the society will host its 26th annual Lost Mariner’s Remembrance, which is a tribute to the sailors who were lost on the Great Lakes. The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and begins with a lantern vigil at the Fitzgerald’s bow setting. Officials say the event sells out every year, and tickets are available now.
Click to see Full story and videos: https://www.wxyz.com/news/detroit-historical-society-hosts-several-events-for-50th-anniversary-of-edmund-fitzgerald-sinking?sfnsn=mo&fbclid=IwY2xjawMsZ1VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHi7V_IMl1KDLaV2aLwAgHT9l68-iG1GT4NPz0DBD_7FrGRv3vNimb9LJi74Q_aem_jJq4jLDiDZj4tCbMK3qspw
ISMA Milwaukee Lodge, Wisconsin Marine Historical Society
Will Host 50th Anniversary Fitzgerald Commemoration
International Ship Masters Association Milwaukee Lodge and the
Wisconsin Marine Historical Society have partnered to commemorate
the SS Edmund Fitzgerald and her Crew on the 50th anniversary of
her sinking.
Join us on Monday, November 10th, from 5-8 PM, at The
Cooperage (822 S. Water St., Milwaukee). The event will feature a
solemn bell ringing ceremony at 6:10 PM in memory of the 29 lost
crew members, followed by speakers sharing their personal
connections to this historic event.
Admission includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Tickets
are $20 presale, or $40 at the door if space allows. Secure your spot
early – the first 200 tickets sold will receive a commemorative
challenge coin and gift bag. Presale ends November 5, 2025.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to reflect on a solemn and
significant event in Great Lakes history. Space is limited, so purchase
your tickets today at:
http://www.shipmaster.org/lodge-6
This event is a commemoration, not a fund raiser.
Boatnerd News – October 19, 2025
SURF’S UP ON THE GREAT LAKES
One of the first BIG autumn storms will crash through the Great Lakes this week. A Strong wind shift from south to north will drive waves as high as 16 FEET on Lake Huron. Lake Michigan will likely record waves above 12′ offshore from western Michigan.
The warm weather will be tempting for some but boaters should be EXTREMELY mindful of the quickly changing conditions this weekend on the water! These waves are certainly notable but just a taste of bigger storm churners that come later in the season when the Gales of November visit.
[Meteorologist Ryan Wichman]
{SEE chart below in gallery]
Boo on the Boat Marks Halloween
at National Museum of the Great Lakes
Toledo, Ohio – The National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) invites families to celebrate Halloween at Boo on the Boat, happening Friday, October 24 through Sunday, October 26. Join us during museum hours for Halloween fun aboard two of Toledo’s most historic haunts—the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship and the Museum Tug Ohio.
Costumed trick-or-treaters can explore the pilothouses and galleys, collecting treats in pre-portioned, sealed bags at haunted stations along the way. The event offers a frightfully fun way for young explorers to dive into Great Lakes history while enjoying the spooky season.
[See details in the gallery below.]
Fitzgerald Memorial Plans Announced By
Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society will hold an outdoor public remembrance service for the 50th Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial at Whitefish Point on Monday, November 10th, 2025 at 2 p.m.
PLAN AHEAD – WHAT TO EXPECT:
Outdoor Shelter: NO tent or seating will be setup for the outdoor public ceremony, as November can have volatile weather that would cause more harm than good. Check the weather forecast prior to traveling to Whitefish Point, and know your limits.
*(Seating will be provided for speakers and individuals ringing the bell.)
Parking: LIMITED parking is available at Whitefish Point. No RVs, Campers, or trailers will be allowed to park in the PAVED parking areas. Once paved parking areas are filled, be prepared to park along the shoulder of the road prior to reaching Whitefish Point.
No Shuttle Services: Be prepared to walk the distance from where you parked to get to Whitefish Point. Know your limits!
Museum Closed: The Museum will be closed to the public. Restrooms will be open.
Grounds Cleared: In order to make room (and parking available) for Fitzgerald families driving-in for the evening ceremony, daytime visitors will be asked to leave the grounds by 5PM.
A ceremony for family members only will take place at 7:00 PM, which will be livestreamed for the public. Under no circumstances will the evening ceremony for the family members of the Edmund Fitzgerald be open to the public.
The live stream link of the evening ceremony will be made available prior to the ceremony via our website and social media channels.
[Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society]
National Museum of the Great Lakes Remembers the Fitzgerald
Fifty years after the Edmund Fitzgerald tragically met its demise in Lake Superior, the National Museum of the Great Lakes invites you to Toledo for four powerful days of stories, music and reflection remembering the ship’s 29-man crew-many of whom called Toledo home.
[See the two-page flyer in the gallery.]
Mark 50 years since Edmund Fitzgerald sinking with historic cuisine, wreath laying
DETROIT, MI – From dining on authentic cuisine served on the ill-fated freighter to a solemn laying of wreaths on the water, the Detroit Historical Society is hosting a weekend of events to honor the 29 mariners who died in the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald nearly 50 years ago.
The museum is planning several opportunities, paid and free, to honor the Fitzgerald, which went down in a violent storm on Nov. 10, 1975, and is remembered in the Gordon Lightfoot ballad.
Rebecca Salminen-Witt, a spokeswoman for the Detroit Historical Society, said tickets are expected to sell out fast for a special brunch set for Sunday, Nov. 9, and the solemn wreath-laying ceremony on Nov. 10. Free events also are scheduled at the museum throughout the weekend.
“It’s important for people to learn about this history ― there’s a lot of it. And Detroit played a huge role in the maritime history of the state and in the whole country,” Salminen-Witt said.
Friday Nov. 7
The commemorative weekend kicks off at 11 a.m. with a book talk featuring Thomas Nelson, the author of “Wrecked: the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy.”
Salminen-Witt said Nelson’s book takes a unique perspective on the ship’s sinking and how the loss of thousands of pounds of ore affected Michigan’s manufacturing economy, ultimately impacting the nation’s economy.
Register for the book talk here: https://www.detroithistorical.org/events/book-talk-wrecked
Detroit Free Press
Huge crowd expected for 50th anniversary
memorial of sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald
A crowd of about 2,000 people is expected to turn out next month when Split Rock Lighthouse and the Minnesota Historical Society host a memorial to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald on Nov. 10.
The ship left port in Superior, Wis., in 1975 “With a load of iron ore, 26,000 tons more, than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty,” as immortalized in Gordon Lightfoot’s famous song about the wreck. The Fitz would have passed just a few miles off shore from Split Rock.
For the past 40 years, the lighthouse has observed the anniversary with a ceremony in which the names of the 29 crew members who perished in Lake Superior are read aloud to the tolling of a ship’s bell. Then Split Rock’s beacon is lit in their honor.
This year’s event will continue that tradition. In addition, former Split Rock Lighthouse Site Manager Lee Radzak will discuss why he started the annual memorial 40 years ago.
“My first one that I attended was actually the first day I was here on site, back in 2019, and the emotional response that I had was just very striking to me,” recalls current site manager Hayes Scriven.
“Listening to the names and the bell being rung, and all of sudden the light comes on, it’s very moving.”
Scriven said they’ve already sold more tickets in advance this year than they ever have for past events. He advises those interested in attending to arrive a few hours before it starts at 4 pm. Free shuttles will also be available from Silver Bay.
He believes there are a few reasons why the tragedy still resonates so deeply with people today. Many know it through the iconic song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” There’s also the enduring mystery of what precisely led to the ship and crew’s demise.
Thousands of tourists flock to Duluth and the North Shore of Lake Superior to see up close the giant 1,000-foot freighters that carry iron ore and other materials across the Great Lakes. Scriven says many people have a hard time fathoming how one of those enormous ships could disappear.
“We’re just trying to provide a little place for memory and for remembrance and to really put into perspective the power of the lake,” Scriven says. “So that’s why we think it’s very important for us to keep doing this.”
MPR News
Detroit Historical Society hosts several events for 50th anniversary of Edmund Fitzgerald sinking
By: Max White
(WXYZ) — The Detroit Historical Society is hosting a full weekend of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
According to the society, the activities all take place at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle, and will kick off on Friday, Nov. 7, with a talk by author Thomas Nelson, who wrote the book “WRECKED: the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy.”
On Saturday, Nov. 8, curators and docents will host drop-in tours of the Edmund Fitzgerald exhibit on the lower level of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. Also, the Great Lakes Maritime Institute will be there for information and merchandise.
Also on Saturday, the Livonia Amateur Radio Club will be in DeRoy Hall for the Edmund Fitzgerald radio broadcast, and a new pop-up exhibit will debut.
Sunday morning, the museum will host its first-ever Maritime Brunch, which will feature a chef-prepared meal directly from the Edmund Fitzgerald’s on-ship menu, along with a video presentation from Ship-to-Shore Chef Catherine Schmuck.
During the brunch, a new film will premiere about the Edmund Fitzgerald with experts from around the Great Lakes. Tickets for the brunch are available now.
Finally, on Monday, the society will host its 26th annual Lost Mariner’s Remembrance, which is a tribute to the sailors who were lost on the Great Lakes. The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and begins with a lantern vigil at the Fitzgerald’s bow setting. Officials say the event sells out every year, and tickets are available now.
Click to see Full story and videos: https://www.wxyz.com/news/detroit-historical-society-hosts-several-events-for-50th-anniversary-of-edmund-fitzgerald-sinking?sfnsn=mo&fbclid=IwY2xjawMsZ1VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHi7V_IMl1KDLaV2aLwAgHT9l68-iG1GT4NPz0DBD_7FrGRv3vNimb9LJi74Q_aem_jJq4jLDiDZj4tCbMK3qspw
ISMA Milwaukee Lodge, Wisconsin Marine Historical Society
Will Host 50th Anniversary Fitzgerald Commemoration
International Ship Masters Association Milwaukee Lodge and the
Wisconsin Marine Historical Society have partnered to commemorate
the SS Edmund Fitzgerald and her Crew on the 50th anniversary of
her sinking.
Join us on Monday, November 10th, from 5-8 PM, at The
Cooperage (822 S. Water St., Milwaukee). The event will feature a
solemn bell ringing ceremony at 6:10 PM in memory of the 29 lost
crew members, followed by speakers sharing their personal
connections to this historic event.
Admission includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Tickets
are $20 presale, or $40 at the door if space allows. Secure your spot
early – the first 200 tickets sold will receive a commemorative
challenge coin and gift bag. Presale ends November 5, 2025.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to reflect on a solemn and
significant event in Great Lakes history. Space is limited, so purchase
your tickets today at:
http://www.shipmaster.org/lodge-6
This event is a commemoration, not a fund raiser.
Boatnerd News – October 18, 2025
KIVALLIQ W. DAMAGED IN NUNAVUT
Labrador company charters vessel after ship damaged while offloading fuel in Nunavut
A fuel tanker owned by a Labrador-based company was damaged while discharging diesel for delivery to a mine site in Nunavut on Wednesday, but the company’s CEO says it will not affect the delivery of critical fuels to Canada’s Arctic as the winter months approach.
“We will be able to deliver everything we’re contracted to,” said Peter Woodward, CEO of the Woodward Group of Companies.
Woodward said there were no injuries and no hydrocarbons were spilled following what he called a “mechanical failure” on Wednesday morning aboard the 129-metre Kivalliq W., which is owned by a Woodward Group affiliate called Coastal Shipping Limited.
The vessel is docked at Baker Lake, a community of roughly 2,000 residents, and continued to offload its fuel as of Thursday afternoon, said Woodward.
Woodward said one of the vessel’s fuel tanks was damaged during the discharge process, and the vessel will be required to enter a drydock for repairs.
He said an investigation into the incident is ongoing, along with an assessment of the damage to the vessel.
Coastal Shipping signed an agreement with another company on Thursday morning to hire a replacement vessel for the delivery of three fuel shipments from Lewisporte to Arctic ports.
“We understand what it means to operate in the Arctic,” said Woodward. “We have a replacement to make sure all products will be delivered to communities and industrial sites.”
Coastal Shipping is the only company that delivers fuel to the north, and Woodward said the replacement vessel “will be engaged in the next couple of days.”
Woodward said he regrets the incident, but is relieved that there were no injuries or environmental damage, and that the company will live up to its commitments.
He said his company has a stellar safety record, and “this is the first time we’ve had an incident like this and we’ve been delivering fuel into the Arctic for 26 years.”
*the Kivalliq W. was last in the Seaway May 2025
Source: CBC News – Terry Roberts
Oct. 17, 2025
[#shipjunkies]
Windy Weather Expected Sunday on Great Lakes
Closing of the 2025 Navigation Season
The Seaway Corporations are confirming the closing dates of the 2025-26 navigation
season that were communicated in Seaway Notice No.2 of 2025.
Closing Dates
Montreal-Lake Ontario Section
The Corporations have decided to waive the operational surcharges on
December 21, 22, 23 and 24.
Any transit of the Montreal-Lake Ontario Section of the Seaway after 23:59
hours, December 24, if permitted, will be subject to prior written agreement.
Arrangements are to be made at the St. Lambert office.
All ships must be clear of the MLO Section by 12:00 January 5, 2026.
Welland Canal
Any transits of the Welland Canal after 23:59 hours, December 26, if permitted,
will be subject to prior written agreement. Arrangements are to be made at the
St. Catharines office.
All ships must be clear of the Welland Canal by 12:00 January 10, 2026
Targeted opening dates for the 2026 Seaway navigation season are as follows:
Montreal / Lake Ontario Section: March 22, 2026
Welland Canal: March 22, 2026
Sault Ste. Marie Locks and Canal (United States)
Closing of the Sault Ste. Marie Locks (U.S.A.) is currently scheduled for January 15,
2026. Please note the Notice to Navigation Interests released by the US Army Corps
of Engineers for further information.
Ports East of Montreal
Ship owners and operators are advised that there are a number of ports east of the
Seaway (St. Lambert Lock) on the St. Lawrence River that remain open to navigation
during the winter months.
[Total notice with all information in Gallery below 5-pages]
Obelisk removed from historical burial ground near Soo Locks
BAY MILLS, MI – After decades of advocacy to protect a historic Native American burial at Brady Park in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., a large obelisk is finally being removed.
The obelisk was placed at the site without tribal consultation in 1907 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Soo Locks. For years, tribal communities have advocated for the removal of the structure. Back in June, the US Army Corps of Engineers opened a 30-day comment period regarding the monument and its removal. The end result was the decision to remove the piece from the park, according to a press release.
“In June of 1820, during treaty negotiations at Sault Ste. Marie, our grandfather, Crane Clan Chief of the Great Lakes, Shingabowaasin, made it clear to the United States that our ancient burial ground, Wudjiwong, must be protected,” said Bay Mills Ojibwe History Department Historian Paula Carrick. “He insisted that its protection be written into the treaty, recognizing even then—205 years ago—that this land held the remains and the spirit of our people since time immemorial. His words have guided us for seven generations.”
In acknowledgment of the cultural and historical significance of this location, and in consultation with federally recognized tribes who continue to utilize the location within Brady Park for cultural and religious practices, the Corps of Engineers began removing the structure on Wednesday, Oct. 15.
“For decades, we have sought to have the obelisk removed from this sacred place. Today, we feel a deep sense of fulfillment and gratitude to finally be able to witness this moment. In honoring the work that our grandfather, Shingabowaasin, began so long ago, we carry forward his vision and commitment,” said Carrick. “This is historic day of healing, restoration, and fulfillment.”
The removal of the Obelisk is being conducted in accordance with a Memorandum of Agreement developed in consultation with federally recognized Tribes, Michigan State Historic Preservation Office and National Park Service.
“The removal of the obelisk represents a meaningful example of how federal agencies and Tribal Nations can work together through the Section 106 process to right historical wrongs. This is not just the removal of a monument, but the recognition of tribal sovereignty and the enduring responsibility to protect our sacred places,” said BMIC President Whitney Gravelle. “Bay Mills Indian Community is proud to stand alongside our fellow Anishinaabe Nations in ensuring that Wudjiwong is treated with the care and respect it has always deserved with a special thanks to the Bay Mills History Department and their decades of advocacy, teaching, and leadership.”
The removal of the obelisk is outlined in the MOA, developed under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, which is the process by which federal agencies consider impacts to historic properties.
Soo Leader
Op-Ed: State of Great Lakes shipbuilding
By Brendan Falkowski, Owner, Shipwatcher News
Just over the last few months shipbuilding has gone from a forgotten industry in America to routinely making front page headlines. The current world climate has raised alarms across the globe for renewed investments in navies and merchant fleets as world powers compete for dominance of the seas. Even with this renewed interest in maritime, the Great Lakes still go largely under the radar, something this corner of the industry knows far too well. The spotlight only seems to find the Great Lakes maritime industry when things go wrong, and almost never highlight the industry’s large role in the U.S. economy and defense supply chain.
Congressional reports cite that over 90% of the iron ore consumed by America’s steel making industry is mined in the Great Lakes region and shipped through the holds of Great Lakes ships. The majority of American manufacturing is tied to the ability of raw materials to flow through the Great Lakes-Seaway system. Iron ore is just one of many other cargoes that support power generation, construction, food supply chains, and more throughout the region and even the world. As the national spotlight looks to the rest of US maritime when it comes to shipbuilding, let’s take a closer look at the current situation on the Great Lakes.
Besides the Mark W. Barker and a handful of barges, new construction for the U.S.-flagged Great Lakes fleet has not happened in any major capacity since the late 1970s, aided by Title XI benefits from the Merchant Marine Act of 1970. Title XI offered operators guaranteed financing through the government for newbuilds and modernizing existing vessels, with additional tax benefits for investing in their fleets. This legislation is what built the current fleet of Lakers we know today.
The existing fleet of Lakers has been able to handle tonnage demands since the last major newbuild program, partially aided by the steady decline of coal cargoes and the cyclical nature of the North American steel industry allowing for older, obsolete vessels to be retired. The carrying capacity (sum of all U.S.-flagged dry bulk ships) has remained steady at about 1.5 million tons over the last decade and a half, while the Canadian fleet’s capacity has remained around the 600,000-ton mark. But the American-flag fleet here on the Lakes is aging—the average age of the American Laker fleet is 52 years old. That is over one and a half times the average life expectancy of 35 years of the ships built during the last fleet renewal program in the 1970s.
To further put this into perspective, the average age of the Canadian Laker fleet is only 24 years, and the average age of the international visitors to the Lakes is 12. These ships have been modified, repaired, and modernized over the course of their lives to remain efficient traders, but even though they sail in freshwater, the age of the fleet is starting to rapidly catch up.
Operators seem to find themselves in a Catch-22 situation. The decline in coal transport demand in the region has significantly reduced the amount of cargo movement necessary in the region in the current market, leaving more vessels available to take on other cargoes. The demand does not exist in the sense of increased tonnage, but at the same time there is demand for new ships in the sense that the fleet will need replacement.
As for the operators, the combination of old age of the fleet and increased regulatory scrutiny have brought more unexpected repairs and work to attention. Just like when you hit the 100,000-mile point in your car, there are major repairs and maintenance items that have to be completed, with surprise issues that come up as well.
With shipbuilding costs so high that newbuilds are out of reach, operators are forced to keep pushing their older ships longer and longer. This brings with it more work and maintenance to keep them going, as well as the added challenge of trying to repair old equipment. Lead times for parts that have to be specially manufactured or imported from overseas keep ships at the wall for several months at a time now. This kept the 1942-vintage cement carrier Alpena at the wall for the first six months of the 2025 season, and the 1973-built integrated tug-barge Presque Isle during the summer of 2022 for three and a half months, just to name examples.
These events have transpired when there is available cargo to move, forcing industry and operators to get creative in order to not fall behind. Every stakeholder on the Great Lakes should be aware of the increased potential of ships breaking down at critical infrastructure points, such as the Soo Locks or a loading dock. This would not only delay that vessel but accumulate delay time for other ships as well. The odds of this situation are only increasing at this point.
Uncertainties in regulatory direction have not positively added to the equation either. Environmental regulations for emissions and directions on future fuels present a moving target for operators and engineers alike. Further regulatory discrepancies between U.S. and Canadian agencies leads to further uncertainty on the subject of ballast water treatment systems (BWTS). While existing U.S. Lakers that do not leave the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system are not required to have BWTS, Canada put rules in place mandating systems onboard any vessels taking on or discharging ballast in Canadian waters by the year 2030.
Building new ships is the result of an equation that combines both demand for the new tonnage, whether that be for new cargo, replacing existing tonnage, or other initiatives, in combination with the economic factors that allow for the capital investment in new hulls. It’s a chicken and the egg situation. The Great Lakes shipping industry, and American maritime as a whole, has been caught in a tricky spot where there is demand for the new hulls in terms of fleet renewal, but the economics do not play out.
The shipping business on the Lakes is a competitive trade, where margins are tight and don’t allow for large amounts of capital to be saved for investment in new hulls, especially when the old hulls are so maintenance-intensive. To top this, current market conditions make it difficult to reinvest. Competition between operators continues to evolve, where in more recent times some have been more willing to slash operating budgets in efforts to undercut rates in a race to the bottom business style. This slims margins even more, making it more difficult for everybody to look to reinvesting in new vessels. Industries that rely on cargo movement via Lakers are attracted to the low tonnage prices, and are reluctant to look past the lowest shipping rate and invest in the long-term viability of their shipping platform through commitment to long-term partnerships.
There are some exceptions, however. Interlake Steamship constructed the Mark W. Barker as the result of a long-term agreement to transport salt for Cargill. U.S. operators are often hesitant to handle salt cargoes in order to protect their aging Lakers from the corrosive nature of the cargo. Cargill realized they needed the security of having a reliable Jones Act vessel to handle their cargo, and partnered with Interlake for a long-term solution that was realized through a newbuild Laker.
The Jones Act
Domestic U.S. shipping is regulated by the Jones Act, which mandates that ships moving cargo between U.S. ports be U.S. built, owned, and crewed. The U.S. maintains very high standards in labor regulations and construction quality, but it comes at a cost so high that domestic operators are not able to justify investment in new hulls. U.S. shipyards come nowhere close to competing with rates on the world market. Steel and labor costs are multiples of those seen around the globe.
The methods of trying to surgically maintain existing vessels only adds to those costs. Laws like the Jones Act are necessary to maintain a domestic industrial base capable of producing vessels for coastwise trading and national defense, otherwise the art of shipbuilding would be lost in America as a whole. Canada is a perfect example of this, as the repeal of the Canadian-built stipulation in the Canadian Coastwise Trading Act dealt a final death blow to the Canadian commercial shipbuilding industry, with their defense shipbuilding industry even feeling the ripple effects.
Canadian operators are able to build vessels overseas at a much lower cost, which has allowed them to renew their fleets at a massive scale in recent years. The prohibitively high costs at U.S. yards further snowball into issues relating to maintaining a skilled labor workforce capable of building high quality ships when steady work is not always coming in.
Work at Great Lakes shipyards is highly cyclical, with loads ramping up on the ships during the winter layup period, but during the summer months yards have to rely on military or off-lakes contracts to keep staff busy. When the ice and snow come in wintertime, operators look at the remaining shipyards to handle several vessels-worth of projects simultaneously, and expect them to complete them in time for fit-out in March. Then when an emergency comes up in the middle of the season the shipyards are expected to turn the ship around in a matter of days.
The situation can be compared to having an auto repair shop only open regularly during three months of the year, and on-demand for the remainder of the season. When repairs are necessary during the other nine months, it won’t be at the pace of a Formula 1 pit stop. The lack of consistent commercial newbuilds locally has been to the detriment of maintaining that steady workload and skilled labor. As shipbuilding has declined in the US, the skilled workforce of welders, pipefitters, electricians, and other specialists dwindled, and now finding qualified workers is a big concern.
Local yards no longer feature full-service machine shops, repair facilities, or fabricating capabilities and contract out several components to a project since they cannot support those workers full-time. Additionally, Great Lakes shipyards have historically been behind the curve when it comes to adoption and implementation of advanced shipbuilding technology and methods, further driving up costs and reducing competitiveness in broader markets.
The demand for new construction for the Jones Act Laker fleet is there, but it is a difficult target for almost every player to hit. Most new shipbuilding on the U.S. side has been tied to long-term cargo commitments in recent years, and not as much to support existing contracts. This will have to give at some point, as the current fleet will not be able to last forever. A partial fleet renewal is likely in store at some point in the near future, with individual vessel replacement being explored for ships nearing the end of the line. Additional ship conversions to articulated tug-barge units are even more likely. The issue of financing these capital investments still remains a challenge. A full fleet renewal—such as the one seen with the Title XI subsidies and tax benefits in the 1970s—is still beyond the horizon without a change of status quo. The right combination of economic conditions may play on the side of the shippers and shipbuilders.
If interest rates drop low enough to justify the payment on the debt for new tonnage in relation to the operating costs of the aging fleet, investment will be a much more attractive option for operators. If we are having the broad shipbuilding conversation, the question needs to be asked if new ships are for business expansion or retention. Major Canadian carriers like Algoma and CSL have fully renewed their fleets in recent years, but this is to preserve existing contracts, not expand into new ones.
Allister Paterson, president of Canada Steamship Lines, put this into perspective in a 2015 press release about CSL’s Trillium-Class fleet renewal program. “Great Lakes shipping is a mature market, it isn’t growing,” he said. “Our Trillium program has always been about renewing our fleet, not growing it.”
While the current market is in need of new vessels to support continuing operations, other Canadian carriers such as McKeil Marine have proven that new niches can be carved out while rosters for the remainder of the fleet have turned over. Waterborne routes can be identified for more cargoes currently using land-based transportation on the American side as well.
What about the SHIPS for America Act? Great question.
The SHIPS for America Act is not currently set up to have direct impact on the Great Lakes shipping industry, at least not a direct benefit. In fact, it may present further challenges in its current form. The Act does not include provisions allowing Great Lakes operators to take advantage of financing and benefits for investment in fleet renewal and modernization. Rather, it will focus on oceangoing merchant vessels and expanding the shipbuilding industrial base in order to support ramping up defense shipbuilding. This investment in the industrial base to support defense and oceangoing shipbuilding will draw workers away from the Great Lakes region and out to the major coasts, leaving labor to become even more scarce.
If provisions in the Act accounted for inland transportation like the Great Lakes and inland waterways, the industry may be able to rebuild and set up for a more sustainable future to be able to better reliably support American manufacturing and defense. Broadly, if the SHIPS act is about maintaining what we have and expansion, that conversation needs to involve the Great Lakes, a region responsible for moving the building blocks of America. In theory, if companies were incentivized to renew their fleets and look at new business, that would stimulate the Jones Act fleet into a period of dynamic evolution. But as long as the current fleet continues sailing without real investment in renewal, operating costs and freight rates will only go up, which will trickle down through the industries down to the very cereal, appliances, automobiles, and more used by the average American. It is only a matter of time before vessels start to be sidelined due to their condition, whether it be for repairs, or worse yet, not passing regulatory inspection.
There is a long road of challenges to face to make it possible to revive the shipbuilding industry in the Great Lakes region and renew the Great Lakes fleet for a sustainable future. It will take getting creative to find ways to economically justify building new ships, and efforts from shippers to shipbuilders to the industries they serve to make this possible to rebuild for long-term sustainability. The Great Lakes was once a center for shipbuilding prowess and innovation, and can be once again with renewed investment and strategic planning.
[MarineLog]
Marine Mart This Saturday in St. Clair Shores, MI
The annual Great Lakes Marine Mart, sponsored by the Great Lakes Maritime Institute, takes place this Saturday at the VFW Bruce Post in St. Clair Shores, MI. This flea market -style event features Great Lakes shipping related antiques, books, art, ship china, photos, ephemera and more.
44th Annual Marine Mart Saturday October 18th.
10a-2p Admission $7
Early Bird 9:30a-10a Admission $10.
VFW Bruce Post
28404 Jefferson Ave.
St. Clair Shores, MI
[See flier in the gallery].
Rob Cioletti
Boo on the Boat Marks Halloween
at National Museum of the Great Lakes
Toledo, Ohio – The National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) invites families to celebrate Halloween at Boo on the Boat, happening Friday, October 24 through Sunday, October 26. Join us during museum hours for Halloween fun aboard two of Toledo’s most historic haunts—the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship and the Museum Tug Ohio.
Costumed trick-or-treaters can explore the pilothouses and galleys, collecting treats in pre-portioned, sealed bags at haunted stations along the way. The event offers a frightfully fun way for young explorers to dive into Great Lakes history while enjoying the spooky season.
[See details in the gallery below.]
Fitzgerald Memorial Plans Announced By
Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society will hold an outdoor public remembrance service for the 50th Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial at Whitefish Point on Monday, November 10th, 2025 at 2 p.m.
PLAN AHEAD – WHAT TO EXPECT:
Outdoor Shelter: NO tent or seating will be setup for the outdoor public ceremony, as November can have volatile weather that would cause more harm than good. Check the weather forecast prior to traveling to Whitefish Point, and know your limits.
*(Seating will be provided for speakers and individuals ringing the bell.)
Parking: LIMITED parking is available at Whitefish Point. No RVs, Campers, or trailers will be allowed to park in the PAVED parking areas. Once paved parking areas are filled, be prepared to park along the shoulder of the road prior to reaching Whitefish Point.
No Shuttle Services: Be prepared to walk the distance from where you parked to get to Whitefish Point. Know your limits!
Museum Closed: The Museum will be closed to the public. Restrooms will be open.
Grounds Cleared: In order to make room (and parking available) for Fitzgerald families driving-in for the evening ceremony, daytime visitors will be asked to leave the grounds by 5PM.
A ceremony for family members only will take place at 7:00 PM, which will be livestreamed for the public. Under no circumstances will the evening ceremony for the family members of the Edmund Fitzgerald be open to the public.
The live stream link of the evening ceremony will be made available prior to the ceremony via our website and social media channels.
[Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society]
National Museum of the Great Lakes Remembers the Fitzgerald
Fifty years after the Edmund Fitzgerald tragically met its demise in Lake Superior, the National Museum of the Great Lakes invites you to Toledo for four powerful days of stories, music and reflection remembering the ship’s 29-man crew-many of whom called Toledo home.
[See the two-page flyer in the gallery.]
Mark 50 years since Edmund Fitzgerald sinking with historic cuisine, wreath laying
DETROIT, MI – From dining on authentic cuisine served on the ill-fated freighter to a solemn laying of wreaths on the water, the Detroit Historical Society is hosting a weekend of events to honor the 29 mariners who died in the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald nearly 50 years ago.
The museum is planning several opportunities, paid and free, to honor the Fitzgerald, which went down in a violent storm on Nov. 10, 1975, and is remembered in the Gordon Lightfoot ballad.
Rebecca Salminen-Witt, a spokeswoman for the Detroit Historical Society, said tickets are expected to sell out fast for a special brunch set for Sunday, Nov. 9, and the solemn wreath-laying ceremony on Nov. 10. Free events also are scheduled at the museum throughout the weekend.
“It’s important for people to learn about this history ― there’s a lot of it. And Detroit played a huge role in the maritime history of the state and in the whole country,” Salminen-Witt said.
Friday Nov. 7
The commemorative weekend kicks off at 11 a.m. with a book talk featuring Thomas Nelson, the author of “Wrecked: the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy.”
Salminen-Witt said Nelson’s book takes a unique perspective on the ship’s sinking and how the loss of thousands of pounds of ore affected Michigan’s manufacturing economy, ultimately impacting the nation’s economy.
Register for the book talk here: https://www.detroithistorical.org/events/book-talk-wrecked
Detroit Free Press
Huge crowd expected for 50th anniversary
memorial of sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald
A crowd of about 2,000 people is expected to turn out next month when Split Rock Lighthouse and the Minnesota Historical Society host a memorial to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald on Nov. 10.
The ship left port in Superior, Wis., in 1975 “With a load of iron ore, 26,000 tons more, than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty,” as immortalized in Gordon Lightfoot’s famous song about the wreck. The Fitz would have passed just a few miles off shore from Split Rock.
For the past 40 years, the lighthouse has observed the anniversary with a ceremony in which the names of the 29 crew members who perished in Lake Superior are read aloud to the tolling of a ship’s bell. Then Split Rock’s beacon is lit in their honor.
This year’s event will continue that tradition. In addition, former Split Rock Lighthouse Site Manager Lee Radzak will discuss why he started the annual memorial 40 years ago.
“My first one that I attended was actually the first day I was here on site, back in 2019, and the emotional response that I had was just very striking to me,” recalls current site manager Hayes Scriven.
“Listening to the names and the bell being rung, and all of sudden the light comes on, it’s very moving.”
Scriven said they’ve already sold more tickets in advance this year than they ever have for past events. He advises those interested in attending to arrive a few hours before it starts at 4 pm. Free shuttles will also be available from Silver Bay.
He believes there are a few reasons why the tragedy still resonates so deeply with people today. Many know it through the iconic song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” There’s also the enduring mystery of what precisely led to the ship and crew’s demise.
Thousands of tourists flock to Duluth and the North Shore of Lake Superior to see up close the giant 1,000-foot freighters that carry iron ore and other materials across the Great Lakes. Scriven says many people have a hard time fathoming how one of those enormous ships could disappear.
“We’re just trying to provide a little place for memory and for remembrance and to really put into perspective the power of the lake,” Scriven says. “So that’s why we think it’s very important for us to keep doing this.”
MPR News
Detroit Historical Society hosts several events for 50th anniversary of Edmund Fitzgerald sinking
By: Max White
(WXYZ) — The Detroit Historical Society is hosting a full weekend of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
According to the society, the activities all take place at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle, and will kick off on Friday, Nov. 7, with a talk by author Thomas Nelson, who wrote the book “WRECKED: the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy.”
On Saturday, Nov. 8, curators and docents will host drop-in tours of the Edmund Fitzgerald exhibit on the lower level of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. Also, the Great Lakes Maritime Institute will be there for information and merchandise.
Also on Saturday, the Livonia Amateur Radio Club will be in DeRoy Hall for the Edmund Fitzgerald radio broadcast, and a new pop-up exhibit will debut.
Sunday morning, the museum will host its first-ever Maritime Brunch, which will feature a chef-prepared meal directly from the Edmund Fitzgerald’s on-ship menu, along with a video presentation from Ship-to-Shore Chef Catherine Schmuck.
During the brunch, a new film will premiere about the Edmund Fitzgerald with experts from around the Great Lakes. Tickets for the brunch are available now.
Finally, on Monday, the society will host its 26th annual Lost Mariner’s Remembrance, which is a tribute to the sailors who were lost on the Great Lakes. The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and begins with a lantern vigil at the Fitzgerald’s bow setting. Officials say the event sells out every year, and tickets are available now.
Click to see Full story and videos: https://www.wxyz.com/news/detroit-historical-society-hosts-several-events-for-50th-anniversary-of-edmund-fitzgerald-sinking?sfnsn=mo&fbclid=IwY2xjawMsZ1VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHi7V_IMl1KDLaV2aLwAgHT9l68-iG1GT4NPz0DBD_7FrGRv3vNimb9LJi74Q_aem_jJq4jLDiDZj4tCbMK3qspw
ISMA Milwaukee Lodge, Wisconsin Marine Historical Society
Will Host 50th Anniversary Fitzgerald Commemoration
International Ship Masters Association Milwaukee Lodge and the
Wisconsin Marine Historical Society have partnered to commemorate
the SS Edmund Fitzgerald and her Crew on the 50th anniversary of
her sinking.
Join us on Monday, November 10th, from 5-8 PM, at The
Cooperage (822 S. Water St., Milwaukee). The event will feature a
solemn bell ringing ceremony at 6:10 PM in memory of the 29 lost
crew members, followed by speakers sharing their personal
connections to this historic event.
Admission includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Tickets
are $20 presale, or $40 at the door if space allows. Secure your spot
early – the first 200 tickets sold will receive a commemorative
challenge coin and gift bag. Presale ends November 5, 2025.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to reflect on a solemn and
significant event in Great Lakes history. Space is limited, so purchase
your tickets today at:
http://www.shipmaster.org/lodge-6
This event is a commemoration, not a fund raiser.
Boatnerd News – October 17, 2025
USCG awards Rozema $70.9M heavy weather boat contract
Written by Nick Blenkey
MarineLog
The U.S. Coast Guard has awarded an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract to Rozema Boat Works Inc. of Mount Vernon, Wash., to acquire up to six second-generation special-purpose craft – heavy weather (SPC-HWX II) boats. The Coast Guard says the total potential value of the contract is $70.9 million and the first SPC-HWX II is anticipated to be completed in fiscal year 2027.
The rugged, all-aluminum boats are designed for extreme weather operations and will replace the legacy 52-foot SPC-HWX boats, which were originally commissioned in the 1950s and 1960s and officially retired in 2021.
Rozema Boat Works notes that U.K.-based naval architecture firm Camarc Design, is providing the vessel design, while Elliott Bay Design Group, of Seattle is supporting with U.S.-based engineering services and technical data compliance.
“We’re honored to have the opportunity to deliver a world-class, state-of-the-art vessel to the U.S. Coast Guard for this critical and complex mission. Built on years of global service and refinement, this proven Camarc design stands out as the ideal choice for the Coast Guard,” says Tim Kolb, vice president, Rozema Boat Works. “Backed by our accomplished program team, Rozema Boat Works is ready to execute and deliver.”
The 64-ft SPC-HWX II will support a wide range of Coast Guard missions including search and rescue, disabled vessel towing, law enforcement, ports, waterways, and coastal security. These next-generation vessels will serve primarily in the Pacific Northwest, operating in severe offshore conditions that exceed the capabilities of other Coast Guard boats.
Powered by twin 1,200 hp MAN diesel engines, the SPC-HWX II is capable of operating up to 150 miles offshore, reaching speeds of 20 knots, and has a bollard pull greater than 18,000 pounds. The vessel is designed for self-righting in surf and can withstand 35-ft seas, 25-ft surf, and wind conditions up to 60 knots. Accommodations for a relief crew allow for an endurance of up to 48 hours—critical for long-range response in harsh environments.
“Rozema Boat Works is thrilled to have been awarded the new USCG SPC-HWX project,” said Dirk Rozema, president. “This achievement marks a significant milestone for our company, and our entire team is deeply grateful to the United States Coast Guard for entrusting us with the construction of these important vessels. We look forward to working closely with the Coast Guard to deliver first-rate vessels that will serve with reliability and excellence for years to come.”
[MarineLog]
Temporary Increase of Lake Ontario Outflows
MAISONNEUVE REGION
MONTREAL / LAKE ONTARIO SECTION
[See Notice in gallery below]
Boo on the Boat Marks Halloween
at National Museum of the Great Lakes
Toledo, Ohio – The National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) invites families to celebrate Halloween at Boo on the Boat, happening Friday, October 24 through Sunday, October 26. Join us during museum hours for Halloween fun aboard two of Toledo’s most historic haunts—the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship and the Museum Tug Ohio.
Costumed trick-or-treaters can explore the pilothouses and galleys, collecting treats in pre-portioned, sealed bags at haunted stations along the way. The event offers a frightfully fun way for young explorers to dive into Great Lakes history while enjoying the spooky season.
[See details in the gallery below.]
Marine Mart This Saturday in St. Clair Shores, MI
The annual Great Lakes Marine Mart, sponsored by the Great Lakes Maritime Institute, takes place this Saturday at the VFW Bruce Post in St. Clair Shores, MI. This flea market -style event features Great Lakes shipping related antiques, books, art, ship china, photos, ephemera and more.
44th Annual Marine Mart Saturday October 18th.
10a-2p Admission $7
Early Bird 9:30a-10a Admission $10.
VFW Bruce Post
28404 Jefferson Ave.
St. Clair Shores, MI
[See flier in the gallery].
Rob Cioletti
National Museum of the Great Lakes Remembers the Fitzgerald
Fifty years after the Edmund Fitzgerald tragically met its demise in Lake Superior, the National Museum of the Great Lakes invites you to Toledo for four powerful days of stories, music and reflection remembering the ship’s 29-man crew-many of whom called Toledo home.
[See the two-page flyer in the gallery.]
Mark 50 years since Edmund Fitzgerald sinking with historic cuisine, wreath laying
DETROIT, MI – From dining on authentic cuisine served on the ill-fated freighter to a solemn laying of wreaths on the water, the Detroit Historical Society is hosting a weekend of events to honor the 29 mariners who died in the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald nearly 50 years ago.
The museum is planning several opportunities, paid and free, to honor the Fitzgerald, which went down in a violent storm on Nov. 10, 1975, and is remembered in the Gordon Lightfoot ballad.
Rebecca Salminen-Witt, a spokeswoman for the Detroit Historical Society, said tickets are expected to sell out fast for a special brunch set for Sunday, Nov. 9, and the solemn wreath-laying ceremony on Nov. 10. Free events also are scheduled at the museum throughout the weekend.
“It’s important for people to learn about this history ― there’s a lot of it. And Detroit played a huge role in the maritime history of the state and in the whole country,” Salminen-Witt said.
Friday Nov. 7
The commemorative weekend kicks off at 11 a.m. with a book talk featuring Thomas Nelson, the author of “Wrecked: the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy.”
Salminen-Witt said Nelson’s book takes a unique perspective on the ship’s sinking and how the loss of thousands of pounds of ore affected Michigan’s manufacturing economy, ultimately impacting the nation’s economy.
Register for the book talk here: https://www.detroithistorical.org/events/book-talk-wrecked
Detroit Free Press
Huge crowd expected for 50th anniversary
memorial of sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald
A crowd of about 2,000 people is expected to turn out next month when Split Rock Lighthouse and the Minnesota Historical Society host a memorial to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald on Nov. 10.
The ship left port in Superior, Wis., in 1975 “With a load of iron ore, 26,000 tons more, than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty,” as immortalized in Gordon Lightfoot’s famous song about the wreck. The Fitz would have passed just a few miles off shore from Split Rock.
For the past 40 years, the lighthouse has observed the anniversary with a ceremony in which the names of the 29 crew members who perished in Lake Superior are read aloud to the tolling of a ship’s bell. Then Split Rock’s beacon is lit in their honor.
This year’s event will continue that tradition. In addition, former Split Rock Lighthouse Site Manager Lee Radzak will discuss why he started the annual memorial 40 years ago.
“My first one that I attended was actually the first day I was here on site, back in 2019, and the emotional response that I had was just very striking to me,” recalls current site manager Hayes Scriven.
“Listening to the names and the bell being rung, and all of sudden the light comes on, it’s very moving.”
Scriven said they’ve already sold more tickets in advance this year than they ever have for past events. He advises those interested in attending to arrive a few hours before it starts at 4 pm. Free shuttles will also be available from Silver Bay.
He believes there are a few reasons why the tragedy still resonates so deeply with people today. Many know it through the iconic song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” There’s also the enduring mystery of what precisely led to the ship and crew’s demise.
Thousands of tourists flock to Duluth and the North Shore of Lake Superior to see up close the giant 1,000-foot freighters that carry iron ore and other materials across the Great Lakes. Scriven says many people have a hard time fathoming how one of those enormous ships could disappear.
“We’re just trying to provide a little place for memory and for remembrance and to really put into perspective the power of the lake,” Scriven says. “So that’s why we think it’s very important for us to keep doing this.”
MPR News
Detroit Historical Society hosts several events for 50th anniversary of Edmund Fitzgerald sinking
By: Max White
(WXYZ) — The Detroit Historical Society is hosting a full weekend of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
According to the society, the activities all take place at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle, and will kick off on Friday, Nov. 7, with a talk by author Thomas Nelson, who wrote the book “WRECKED: the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy.”
On Saturday, Nov. 8, curators and docents will host drop-in tours of the Edmund Fitzgerald exhibit on the lower level of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. Also, the Great Lakes Maritime Institute will be there for information and merchandise.
Also on Saturday, the Livonia Amateur Radio Club will be in DeRoy Hall for the Edmund Fitzgerald radio broadcast, and a new pop-up exhibit will debut.
Sunday morning, the museum will host its first-ever Maritime Brunch, which will feature a chef-prepared meal directly from the Edmund Fitzgerald’s on-ship menu, along with a video presentation from Ship-to-Shore Chef Catherine Schmuck.
During the brunch, a new film will premiere about the Edmund Fitzgerald with experts from around the Great Lakes. Tickets for the brunch are available now.
Finally, on Monday, the society will host its 26th annual Lost Mariner’s Remembrance, which is a tribute to the sailors who were lost on the Great Lakes. The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and begins with a lantern vigil at the Fitzgerald’s bow setting. Officials say the event sells out every year, and tickets are available now.
Click to see Full story and videos: https://www.wxyz.com/news/detroit-historical-society-hosts-several-events-for-50th-anniversary-of-edmund-fitzgerald-sinking?sfnsn=mo&fbclid=IwY2xjawMsZ1VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHi7V_IMl1KDLaV2aLwAgHT9l68-iG1GT4NPz0DBD_7FrGRv3vNimb9LJi74Q_aem_jJq4jLDiDZj4tCbMK3qspw
ISMA Milwaukee Lodge, Wisconsin Marine Historical Society
Will Host 50th Anniversary Fitzgerald Commemoration
International Ship Masters Association Milwaukee Lodge and the
Wisconsin Marine Historical Society have partnered to commemorate
the SS Edmund Fitzgerald and her Crew on the 50th anniversary of
her sinking.
Join us on Monday, November 10th, from 5-8 PM, at The
Cooperage (822 S. Water St., Milwaukee). The event will feature a
solemn bell ringing ceremony at 6:10 PM in memory of the 29 lost
crew members, followed by speakers sharing their personal
connections to this historic event.
Admission includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Tickets
are $20 presale, or $40 at the door if space allows. Secure your spot
early – the first 200 tickets sold will receive a commemorative
challenge coin and gift bag. Presale ends November 5, 2025.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to reflect on a solemn and
significant event in Great Lakes history. Space is limited, so purchase
your tickets today at:
http://www.shipmaster.org/lodge-6
This event is a commemoration, not a fund raiser.
Boatnerd News – October 16, 2025
USS Cobia returns to Manitowoc after repairs in Sturgeon Bay
Phil DeCastro,FOX11NewsWed, October 15th 2025
STURGEON BAY (WLUK) — The treasured World War II submarine USS Cobia is back home at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum.
She arrived in Manitowoc Wednesday afternoon after leaving Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay in the morning.
Two tug boats assisted the Cobia on her journey south on Lake Michigan. The sub had been in Sturgeon Bay for about five and a half weeks, since the beginning of September, getting repairs and a new paint job.
FOX 11 was there for both the Cobia’s departure and arrival
We started the day inside the Bay Shipbuilding facility to capture the Cobia’s final minutes there before she left for Manitowoc.
Her fresh paint, in some spots, was still in the process of setting. But after a quick wipe-down and touch-up following some overnight rain, it was full steam ahead.
The Cobia has been missed in her home port.
“This is a huge relief for the entire museum staff and volunteers, and indeed the community, to know that we’ve got to the finish line. Almost. We still have to get her down to Manitowoc. But this is a tremendous relief for all of us,” said Kevin Cullen, the Wisconsin Maritime Museum director. His view from the lead tug gave him the perfect vantage point for the Cobia’s new paint job.
While it might appear unfinished and uneven, this is the true-to-spec scheme as the Cobia would have looked for combat missions in World War II.
“It would basically be camouflaged out on the water. So there’s the shallow line — it’s not even a straight line across the deck there. That is on purpose too. If you were looking at a vessel out on the horizon, it would almost appear like it wasn’t there. There’s a mirage,” Cullen said.
And the 245 on the side, that’s also new. It’s the Cobia’s original hull number.
Bay Ship project manager Kevin Lauder has mixed feelings about the Cobia’s departure. They’re proud of their work, but know that she is one of a kind.
“Bittersweet. It was exciting to have it here. It was exciting to work on it. And it’s exciting to see it go, because you’ve done it. But now, you know, you don’t have the opportunity to see it every day,” Lauder said.
The American flag wasn’t the only thing flying proud on the Cobia’s tower. At the top was a broom sticking up in the air — a naval tradition to indicate the work was a clean sweep — and that she’s all set for her voyage back out into Lake Michigan, and back to Manitowoc.
By all accounts, Wednesday’s trip was a smooth one, with light winds and calm seas — just what the captains were hoping for.
The Cobia won’t be open to the public just yet. Cullen hopes that the first guests will be welcomed on board by Saturday.
[For full story including videos click the link]
https://fox11online.com/news/local/uss-cobia-embarks-on-return-voyage-to-manitowoc-after-repairs-in-sturgeon-bay-wisconsin-martime-museum-fincantieri-bay-shipbuilding-wwii-submarine
Boo on the Boat Marks Halloween
at National Museum of the Great Lakes
Toledo, Ohio – The National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) invites families to celebrate Halloween at Boo on the Boat, happening Friday, October 24 through Sunday, October 26. Join us during museum hours for Halloween fun aboard two of Toledo’s most historic haunts—the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship and the Museum Tug Ohio.
Costumed trick-or-treaters can explore the pilothouses and galleys, collecting treats in pre-portioned, sealed bags at haunted stations along the way. The event offers a frightfully fun way for young explorers to dive into Great Lakes history while enjoying the spooky season.
[See details in the gallery below.]
Marine Mart This Saturday in St. Clair Shores, MI
The annual Great Lakes Marine Mart, sponsored by the Great Lakes Maritime Institute, takes place this Saturday at the VFW Bruce Post in St. Clair Shores, MI. This flea market -style event features Great Lakes shipping related antiques, books, art, ship china, photos, ephemera and more.
44th Annual Marine Mart Saturday October 18th.
10a-2p Admission $7
Early Bird 9:30a-10a Admission $10.
VFW Bruce Post
28404 Jefferson Ave.
St. Clair Shores, MI
[See flier in the gallery].
Rob Cioletti
Mark 50 years since Edmund Fitzgerald sinking with historic cuisine, wreath laying
DETROIT, MI – From dining on authentic cuisine served on the ill-fated freighter to a solemn laying of wreaths on the water, the Detroit Historical Society is hosting a weekend of events to honor the 29 mariners who died in the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald nearly 50 years ago.
The museum is planning several opportunities, paid and free, to honor the Fitzgerald, which went down in a violent storm on Nov. 10, 1975, and is remembered in the Gordon Lightfoot ballad.
Rebecca Salminen-Witt, a spokeswoman for the Detroit Historical Society, said tickets are expected to sell out fast for a special brunch set for Sunday, Nov. 9, and the solemn wreath-laying ceremony on Nov. 10. Free events also are scheduled at the museum throughout the weekend.
“It’s important for people to learn about this history ― there’s a lot of it. And Detroit played a huge role in the maritime history of the state and in the whole country,” Salminen-Witt said.
Friday Nov. 7
The commemorative weekend kicks off at 11 a.m. with a book talk featuring Thomas Nelson, the author of “Wrecked: the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy.”
Salminen-Witt said Nelson’s book takes a unique perspective on the ship’s sinking and how the loss of thousands of pounds of ore affected Michigan’s manufacturing economy, ultimately impacting the nation’s economy.
Register for the book talk here: https://www.detroithistorical.org/events/book-talk-wrecked
Detroit Free Press
Huge crowd expected for 50th anniversary
memorial of sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald
A crowd of about 2,000 people is expected to turn out next month when Split Rock Lighthouse and the Minnesota Historical Society host a memorial to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald on Nov. 10.
The ship left port in Superior, Wis., in 1975 “With a load of iron ore, 26,000 tons more, than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty,” as immortalized in Gordon Lightfoot’s famous song about the wreck. The Fitz would have passed just a few miles off shore from Split Rock.
For the past 40 years, the lighthouse has observed the anniversary with a ceremony in which the names of the 29 crew members who perished in Lake Superior are read aloud to the tolling of a ship’s bell. Then Split Rock’s beacon is lit in their honor.
This year’s event will continue that tradition. In addition, former Split Rock Lighthouse Site Manager Lee Radzak will discuss why he started the annual memorial 40 years ago.
“My first one that I attended was actually the first day I was here on site, back in 2019, and the emotional response that I had was just very striking to me,” recalls current site manager Hayes Scriven.
“Listening to the names and the bell being rung, and all of sudden the light comes on, it’s very moving.”
Scriven said they’ve already sold more tickets in advance this year than they ever have for past events. He advises those interested in attending to arrive a few hours before it starts at 4 pm. Free shuttles will also be available from Silver Bay.
He believes there are a few reasons why the tragedy still resonates so deeply with people today. Many know it through the iconic song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” There’s also the enduring mystery of what precisely led to the ship and crew’s demise.
Thousands of tourists flock to Duluth and the North Shore of Lake Superior to see up close the giant 1,000-foot freighters that carry iron ore and other materials across the Great Lakes. Scriven says many people have a hard time fathoming how one of those enormous ships could disappear.
“We’re just trying to provide a little place for memory and for remembrance and to really put into perspective the power of the lake,” Scriven says. “So that’s why we think it’s very important for us to keep doing this.”
MPR News
Detroit Historical Society hosts several events for 50th anniversary of Edmund Fitzgerald sinking
By: Max White
(WXYZ) — The Detroit Historical Society is hosting a full weekend of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
According to the society, the activities all take place at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle, and will kick off on Friday, Nov. 7, with a talk by author Thomas Nelson, who wrote the book “WRECKED: the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy.”
On Saturday, Nov. 8, curators and docents will host drop-in tours of the Edmund Fitzgerald exhibit on the lower level of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. Also, the Great Lakes Maritime Institute will be there for information and merchandise.
Also on Saturday, the Livonia Amateur Radio Club will be in DeRoy Hall for the Edmund Fitzgerald radio broadcast, and a new pop-up exhibit will debut.
Sunday morning, the museum will host its first-ever Maritime Brunch, which will feature a chef-prepared meal directly from the Edmund Fitzgerald’s on-ship menu, along with a video presentation from Ship-to-Shore Chef Catherine Schmuck.
During the brunch, a new film will premiere about the Edmund Fitzgerald with experts from around the Great Lakes. Tickets for the brunch are available now.
Finally, on Monday, the society will host its 26th annual Lost Mariner’s Remembrance, which is a tribute to the sailors who were lost on the Great Lakes. The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and begins with a lantern vigil at the Fitzgerald’s bow setting. Officials say the event sells out every year, and tickets are available now.
Click to see Full story and videos: https://www.wxyz.com/news/detroit-historical-society-hosts-several-events-for-50th-anniversary-of-edmund-fitzgerald-sinking?sfnsn=mo&fbclid=IwY2xjawMsZ1VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHi7V_IMl1KDLaV2aLwAgHT9l68-iG1GT4NPz0DBD_7FrGRv3vNimb9LJi74Q_aem_jJq4jLDiDZj4tCbMK3qspw
ISMA Milwaukee Lodge, Wisconsin Marine Historical Society
Will Host 50th Anniversary Fitzgerald Commemoration
International Ship Masters Association Milwaukee Lodge and the
Wisconsin Marine Historical Society have partnered to commemorate
the SS Edmund Fitzgerald and her Crew on the 50th anniversary of
her sinking.
Join us on Monday, November 10th, from 5-8 PM, at The
Cooperage (822 S. Water St., Milwaukee). The event will feature a
solemn bell ringing ceremony at 6:10 PM in memory of the 29 lost
crew members, followed by speakers sharing their personal
connections to this historic event.
Admission includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Tickets
are $20 presale, or $40 at the door if space allows. Secure your spot
early – the first 200 tickets sold will receive a commemorative
challenge coin and gift bag. Presale ends November 5, 2025.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to reflect on a solemn and
significant event in Great Lakes history. Space is limited, so purchase
your tickets today at:
http://www.shipmaster.org/lodge-6
This event is a commemoration, not a fund raiser.
Boatnerd News – October 15, 2025
Manitoulin repaired and Receives Clearance to Sail
Manitoulin had touched bottom after veering out of the channel slightly above Cardinal On. at the turn because of heavy current pushing her into the shallow area. She started taking on water and as of now, has been repaired.
The crew stayed on board while repairs were taken care of and will be departing soon.
Update; As of 16:00 she is on her way to Quebec
October 14, 2025
[Janey Anderson-#shipjunkies]
USS Cobia To Return to Manitowoc Wednesday
Manitowoc, WI – A historic WWII submarine that’s been drydocked in Sturgeon Bay is coming back to Manitowoc.
The Wisconsin Maritime Museum announced that after a month, the USS Cobia is prepared to return October 15 at 3 p.m., after leaving Sturgeon Bay around 7 a.m. The museum says they will share live updates on Facebook as Cobia makes her journey back.
AIS tracking will also be available again on the lead tugboat Nickelena, for those who want to see when the sub is coming back.
The Cobia left Manitowoc in early September for her first dry dock since 1996, a process where the submarine is lifted out of the water so crews can inspect, clean and repair areas normally under water.
While in Sturgeon Bay, a volunteer discovered a four-foot rip in the seam of one of the ship’s main ballast tanks. “If that would’ve gone unnoticed, that would’ve caused major structural damage to Cobia,” Alexandria Bolle said.
Bolle, communications coordinator for the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, said that wasn’t the only surprise. The hull was covered in invasive zebra mussels. “We did not know how many there would be … the hull was completely covered,” Bolle said. If the mussels are left too long, they will embed themselves into the metal and add significant weight to the ship. “They had to be pried off, and there were actually two gentlemen who had to go in by hand and just wipe them off from the submarine,” Bolle said.
Crews also inspected the deck to ensure it can safely support the thousands of visitors who climb aboard each year.
“We’re helping guarantee that it’ll be around for future generations,” Bolle said.
The submarine received new paint from bow to stern, along with reinforced support framing, welded seams, and newly serviced sea chests and shutter doors.
Cobia will leave Sturgeon Bay Wednesday morning at 7 a.m., making an eight-hour journey by tugboat through the canal and across Lake Michigan before docking back in Manitowoc around 3 p.m.
Tours of the Cobia should start back up the week after her arrival.
When the Cobia returns, the Wisconsin Maritime Museum’s Sub Pub will open 30 minutes before her arrival, inviting the community to watch history float back into Manitowoc. Visitors and residents will not be able to tour her right way, and new tour dates will be announced later. The times and dates of Cobia’s return are subject to change depending on how Lake Michigan is acting.
The Wisconsin Maritime Museum raised $1.5 million to drydock the Cobia.
NBC 26
Watch a video here: https://fox11online.com/news/local/exclusive-behind-the-scenes-look-at-the-restoration-of-world-war-ii-submarine-uss-cobia-historic-manitowoc-sturgeon-bay-fincantieri-bay-shipbuilding-wisconsin-maritime-museum-dry-dock
JPMorgan Chase Reveals $1.5 Trillion Drive to Rebuild U.S. Industry, Including Shipbuilding
Mike Schuler
October 13, 2025
JPMorgan Chase has announced a $1.5 trillion, 10-year Security and Resiliency Initiative to finance and invest in industries critical to national economic security, including a focus on revitalizing America’s shipbuilding sector.
The financial services firm says will make direct equity and venture capital investments of up to $10 billion to help select companies primarily in the United States enhance their growth, spur innovation, and accelerate strategic manufacturing.
“It has become painfully clear that the United States has allowed itself to become too reliant on unreliable sources of critical minerals, products and manufacturing – all of which are essential for our national security,” said Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase. “Our security is predicated on the strength and resiliency of America’s economy. America needs more speed and investment. It also needs to remove obstacles that stand in the way: excessive regulations, bureaucratic delay, partisan gridlock and an education system not aligned to the skills we need.”
The initiative targets four key areas: Supply Chain and Advanced Manufacturing, Defense and Aerospace, Energy Independence and Resilience, and Frontier and Strategic Technologies. These four themes are divided into 27 sub-areas, ranging from shipbuilding and nuclear energy to nanomaterials and critical defense components.
Shipbuilding is specifically identified as a sub-area under Supply Chain and Advanced Manufacturing, encompassing the construction of both “commercial and military vessels.” The firm describes this focus as part of “reshoring key industries and building robust, redundant supply networks” to “safeguard against global disruptions, reduce dependence on potential adversaries and counterparties, and drive productivity growth in critical areas.”
JPMorgan Chase had already planned to facilitate and finance approximately $1 trillion over the next decade in support of clients in these industries. With the new initiative, the firm aims to increase this amount by up to $500 billion.
“This new initiative includes efforts like ensuring reliable access to life-saving medicines and critical minerals, defending our nation, building energy systems to meet AI-driven demand and advancing technologies like semiconductors and data centers,” Dimon added. “Our support of clients in these industries remains unwavering.”
The firm says it will hire more bankers, investment professionals and other experts to address this initiative and will create an external advisory council of experienced leaders from the public and private sectors to help guide the long-term strategy.
The announcement comes amid the Trump Administration’s push to revitalize America’s maritime shipbuilding sectors to better compete with China. An April 9th executive order, titled “Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance,” addresses a critical national security concern, with the United States currently constructing less than one percent of commercial ships globally, while China produces approximately half.
“Hopefully, once again, as America has in the past, we will all come together to address these immense challenges,” Dimon concluded. “We need to act now.”
Marine Mart This Saturday in St. Clair Shores, MI
The annual Great Lakes Marine Mart, sponsored by the Great Lakes Maritime Institute, takes place this Saturday at the VFW Bruce Post in St. Clair Shores, MI. This flea market -style event features Great Lakes shipping related antiques, books, art, ship china, photos, ephemera and more.
44th Annual Marine Mart Saturday October 18th.
10a-2p Admission $7
Early Bird 9:30a-10a Admission $10.
VFW Bruce Post
28404 Jefferson Ave.
St. Clair Shores, MI
[See flier in the gallery].
Rob Cioletti
VIDEO: Behind-the-scenes look at the Port
of Cleveland and Cleveland-Cliffs Steel Mill
Discover the incredible journey of American-made steel in this behind-the-scenes look at the Port of Cleveland and Cleveland-Cliffs Steel Mill. From the arrival of iron ore pellets on massive Great Lakes freighters to the production of high-quality steel coils, this video highlights the people, processes, and infrastructure that keep America’s manufacturing heartland moving.
Learn how the Port of Cleveland plays a critical role in the domestic supply chain, handling millions of tons of bulk cargo and supporting industries like construction, automotive, appliances, and infrastructure.
This video is a tribute to the hardworking men and women who move mountains, forge steel, and shape America’s future — one shipment at a time.
Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sakxq3N0sno
Mark 50 years since Edmund Fitzgerald sinking with historic cuisine, wreath laying
DETROIT, MI – From dining on authentic cuisine served on the ill-fated freighter to a solemn laying of wreaths on the water, the Detroit Historical Society is hosting a weekend of events to honor the 29 mariners who died in the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald nearly 50 years ago.
The museum is planning several opportunities, paid and free, to honor the Fitzgerald, which went down in a violent storm on Nov. 10, 1975, and is remembered in the Gordon Lightfoot ballad.
Rebecca Salminen-Witt, a spokeswoman for the Detroit Historical Society, said tickets are expected to sell out fast for a special brunch set for Sunday, Nov. 9, and the solemn wreath-laying ceremony on Nov. 10. Free events also are scheduled at the museum throughout the weekend.
“It’s important for people to learn about this history ― there’s a lot of it. And Detroit played a huge role in the maritime history of the state and in the whole country,” Salminen-Witt said.
Friday Nov. 7
The commemorative weekend kicks off at 11 a.m. with a book talk featuring Thomas Nelson, the author of “Wrecked: the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy.”
Salminen-Witt said Nelson’s book takes a unique perspective on the ship’s sinking and how the loss of thousands of pounds of ore affected Michigan’s manufacturing economy, ultimately impacting the nation’s economy.
Register for the book talk here: https://www.detroithistorical.org/events/book-talk-wrecked
Detroit Free Press
Huge crowd expected for 50th anniversary
memorial of sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald
A crowd of about 2,000 people is expected to turn out next month when Split Rock Lighthouse and the Minnesota Historical Society host a memorial to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald on Nov. 10.
The ship left port in Superior, Wis., in 1975 “With a load of iron ore, 26,000 tons more, than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty,” as immortalized in Gordon Lightfoot’s famous song about the wreck. The Fitz would have passed just a few miles off shore from Split Rock.
For the past 40 years, the lighthouse has observed the anniversary with a ceremony in which the names of the 29 crew members who perished in Lake Superior are read aloud to the tolling of a ship’s bell. Then Split Rock’s beacon is lit in their honor.
This year’s event will continue that tradition. In addition, former Split Rock Lighthouse Site Manager Lee Radzak will discuss why he started the annual memorial 40 years ago.
“My first one that I attended was actually the first day I was here on site, back in 2019, and the emotional response that I had was just very striking to me,” recalls current site manager Hayes Scriven.
“Listening to the names and the bell being rung, and all of sudden the light comes on, it’s very moving.”
Scriven said they’ve already sold more tickets in advance this year than they ever have for past events. He advises those interested in attending to arrive a few hours before it starts at 4 pm. Free shuttles will also be available from Silver Bay.
He believes there are a few reasons why the tragedy still resonates so deeply with people today. Many know it through the iconic song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” There’s also the enduring mystery of what precisely led to the ship and crew’s demise.
Thousands of tourists flock to Duluth and the North Shore of Lake Superior to see up close the giant 1,000-foot freighters that carry iron ore and other materials across the Great Lakes. Scriven says many people have a hard time fathoming how one of those enormous ships could disappear.
“We’re just trying to provide a little place for memory and for remembrance and to really put into perspective the power of the lake,” Scriven says. “So that’s why we think it’s very important for us to keep doing this.”
MPR News
Detroit Historical Society hosts several events for 50th anniversary of Edmund Fitzgerald sinking
By: Max White
(WXYZ) — The Detroit Historical Society is hosting a full weekend of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
According to the society, the activities all take place at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle, and will kick off on Friday, Nov. 7, with a talk by author Thomas Nelson, who wrote the book “WRECKED: the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy.”
On Saturday, Nov. 8, curators and docents will host drop-in tours of the Edmund Fitzgerald exhibit on the lower level of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. Also, the Great Lakes Maritime Institute will be there for information and merchandise.
Also on Saturday, the Livonia Amateur Radio Club will be in DeRoy Hall for the Edmund Fitzgerald radio broadcast, and a new pop-up exhibit will debut.
Sunday morning, the museum will host its first-ever Maritime Brunch, which will feature a chef-prepared meal directly from the Edmund Fitzgerald’s on-ship menu, along with a video presentation from Ship-to-Shore Chef Catherine Schmuck.
During the brunch, a new film will premiere about the Edmund Fitzgerald with experts from around the Great Lakes. Tickets for the brunch are available now.
Finally, on Monday, the society will host its 26th annual Lost Mariner’s Remembrance, which is a tribute to the sailors who were lost on the Great Lakes. The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and begins with a lantern vigil at the Fitzgerald’s bow setting. Officials say the event sells out every year, and tickets are available now.
Click to see Full story and videos: https://www.wxyz.com/news/detroit-historical-society-hosts-several-events-for-50th-anniversary-of-edmund-fitzgerald-sinking?sfnsn=mo&fbclid=IwY2xjawMsZ1VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHi7V_IMl1KDLaV2aLwAgHT9l68-iG1GT4NPz0DBD_7FrGRv3vNimb9LJi74Q_aem_jJq4jLDiDZj4tCbMK3qspw
ISMA Milwaukee Lodge, Wisconsin Marine Historical Society
Will Host 50th Anniversary Fitzgerald Commemoration
International Ship Masters Association Milwaukee Lodge and the
Wisconsin Marine Historical Society have partnered to commemorate
the SS Edmund Fitzgerald and her Crew on the 50th anniversary of
her sinking.
Join us on Monday, November 10th, from 5-8 PM, at The
Cooperage (822 S. Water St., Milwaukee). The event will feature a
solemn bell ringing ceremony at 6:10 PM in memory of the 29 lost
crew members, followed by speakers sharing their personal
connections to this historic event.
Admission includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Tickets
are $20 presale, or $40 at the door if space allows. Secure your spot
early – the first 200 tickets sold will receive a commemorative
challenge coin and gift bag. Presale ends November 5, 2025.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to reflect on a solemn and
significant event in Great Lakes history. Space is limited, so purchase
your tickets today at:
http://www.shipmaster.org/lodge-6
This event is a commemoration, not a fund raiser.
Boatnerd News – October 14, 2025
Marine Mart This Saturday in St. Clair Shores, MI
The annual Great Lakes Marine Mart, sponsored by the Great Lakes Maritime Institute, takes place this Saturday at the VFW Bruce Post in St. Clair Shores, MI. This flea market -style event features Great Lakes shipping related antiques, books, art, ship china, photos, ephemera and more.
44th Annual Marine Mart Saturday October 18th.
10a-2p Admission $7
Early Bird 9:30a-10a Admission $10.
VFW Bruce Post
28404 Jefferson Ave.
St. Clair Shores, MI
[See flier in the gallery].
Rob Cioletti
VIDEO: Behind-the-scenes look at the Port
of Cleveland and Cleveland-Cliffs Steel Mill
Discover the incredible journey of American-made steel in this behind-the-scenes look at the Port of Cleveland and Cleveland-Cliffs Steel Mill. From the arrival of iron ore pellets on massive Great Lakes freighters to the production of high-quality steel coils, this video highlights the people, processes, and infrastructure that keep America’s manufacturing heartland moving.
Learn how the Port of Cleveland plays a critical role in the domestic supply chain, handling millions of tons of bulk cargo and supporting industries like construction, automotive, appliances, and infrastructure.
This video is a tribute to the hardworking men and women who move mountains, forge steel, and shape America’s future — one shipment at a time.
Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sakxq3N0sno
Mark 50 years since Edmund Fitzgerald sinking with historic cuisine, wreath laying
DETROIT, MI – From dining on authentic cuisine served on the ill-fated freighter to a solemn laying of wreaths on the water, the Detroit Historical Society is hosting a weekend of events to honor the 29 mariners who died in the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald nearly 50 years ago.
The museum is planning several opportunities, paid and free, to honor the Fitzgerald, which went down in a violent storm on Nov. 10, 1975, and is remembered in the Gordon Lightfoot ballad.
Rebecca Salminen-Witt, a spokeswoman for the Detroit Historical Society, said tickets are expected to sell out fast for a special brunch set for Sunday, Nov. 9, and the solemn wreath-laying ceremony on Nov. 10. Free events also are scheduled at the museum throughout the weekend.
“It’s important for people to learn about this history ― there’s a lot of it. And Detroit played a huge role in the maritime history of the state and in the whole country,” Salminen-Witt said.
Friday Nov. 7
The commemorative weekend kicks off at 11 a.m. with a book talk featuring Thomas Nelson, the author of “Wrecked: the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy.”
Salminen-Witt said Nelson’s book takes a unique perspective on the ship’s sinking and how the loss of thousands of pounds of ore affected Michigan’s manufacturing economy, ultimately impacting the nation’s economy.
Register for the book talk here: https://www.detroithistorical.org/events/book-talk-wrecked
Detroit Free Press
Huge crowd expected for 50th anniversary
memorial of sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald
A crowd of about 2,000 people is expected to turn out next month when Split Rock Lighthouse and the Minnesota Historical Society host a memorial to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald on Nov. 10.
The ship left port in Superior, Wis., in 1975 “With a load of iron ore, 26,000 tons more, than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty,” as immortalized in Gordon Lightfoot’s famous song about the wreck. The Fitz would have passed just a few miles off shore from Split Rock.
For the past 40 years, the lighthouse has observed the anniversary with a ceremony in which the names of the 29 crew members who perished in Lake Superior are read aloud to the tolling of a ship’s bell. Then Split Rock’s beacon is lit in their honor.
This year’s event will continue that tradition. In addition, former Split Rock Lighthouse Site Manager Lee Radzak will discuss why he started the annual memorial 40 years ago.
“My first one that I attended was actually the first day I was here on site, back in 2019, and the emotional response that I had was just very striking to me,” recalls current site manager Hayes Scriven.
“Listening to the names and the bell being rung, and all of sudden the light comes on, it’s very moving.”
Scriven said they’ve already sold more tickets in advance this year than they ever have for past events. He advises those interested in attending to arrive a few hours before it starts at 4 pm. Free shuttles will also be available from Silver Bay.
He believes there are a few reasons why the tragedy still resonates so deeply with people today. Many know it through the iconic song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” There’s also the enduring mystery of what precisely led to the ship and crew’s demise.
Thousands of tourists flock to Duluth and the North Shore of Lake Superior to see up close the giant 1,000-foot freighters that carry iron ore and other materials across the Great Lakes. Scriven says many people have a hard time fathoming how one of those enormous ships could disappear.
“We’re just trying to provide a little place for memory and for remembrance and to really put into perspective the power of the lake,” Scriven says. “So that’s why we think it’s very important for us to keep doing this.”
MPR News
Detroit Historical Society hosts several events for 50th anniversary of Edmund Fitzgerald sinking
By: Max White
(WXYZ) — The Detroit Historical Society is hosting a full weekend of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
According to the society, the activities all take place at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle, and will kick off on Friday, Nov. 7, with a talk by author Thomas Nelson, who wrote the book “WRECKED: the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy.”
On Saturday, Nov. 8, curators and docents will host drop-in tours of the Edmund Fitzgerald exhibit on the lower level of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. Also, the Great Lakes Maritime Institute will be there for information and merchandise.
Also on Saturday, the Livonia Amateur Radio Club will be in DeRoy Hall for the Edmund Fitzgerald radio broadcast, and a new pop-up exhibit will debut.
Sunday morning, the museum will host its first-ever Maritime Brunch, which will feature a chef-prepared meal directly from the Edmund Fitzgerald’s on-ship menu, along with a video presentation from Ship-to-Shore Chef Catherine Schmuck.
During the brunch, a new film will premiere about the Edmund Fitzgerald with experts from around the Great Lakes. Tickets for the brunch are available now.
Finally, on Monday, the society will host its 26th annual Lost Mariner’s Remembrance, which is a tribute to the sailors who were lost on the Great Lakes. The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and begins with a lantern vigil at the Fitzgerald’s bow setting. Officials say the event sells out every year, and tickets are available now.
Click to see Full story and videos: https://www.wxyz.com/news/detroit-historical-society-hosts-several-events-for-50th-anniversary-of-edmund-fitzgerald-sinking?sfnsn=mo&fbclid=IwY2xjawMsZ1VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHi7V_IMl1KDLaV2aLwAgHT9l68-iG1GT4NPz0DBD_7FrGRv3vNimb9LJi74Q_aem_jJq4jLDiDZj4tCbMK3qspw
ISMA Milwaukee Lodge, Wisconsin Marine Historical Society
Will Host 50th Anniversary Fitzgerald Commemoration
International Ship Masters Association Milwaukee Lodge and the
Wisconsin Marine Historical Society have partnered to commemorate
the SS Edmund Fitzgerald and her Crew on the 50th anniversary of
her sinking.
Join us on Monday, November 10th, from 5-8 PM, at The
Cooperage (822 S. Water St., Milwaukee). The event will feature a
solemn bell ringing ceremony at 6:10 PM in memory of the 29 lost
crew members, followed by speakers sharing their personal
connections to this historic event.
Admission includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Tickets
are $20 presale, or $40 at the door if space allows. Secure your spot
early – the first 200 tickets sold will receive a commemorative
challenge coin and gift bag. Presale ends November 5, 2025.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to reflect on a solemn and
significant event in Great Lakes history. Space is limited, so purchase
your tickets today at:
http://www.shipmaster.org/lodge-6
This event is a commemoration, not a fund raiser.
Boatnerd News – October 13, 2025
Ontario’s Wolfe Islander IV ferry grounding has raised
serious questions about data handling and vessel design
SUMMARY – Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has come under scrutiny following the grounding of the Wolfe Islander IV ferry last December. A new report shows that the ministry failed to preserve “crucial” voyage data, preventing a full investigation into the incident. While the MTO’s internal review attributes the grounding to crew error and environmental factors, the ship’s captain maintains that the ferry’s electric thrusters lacked sufficient power. The loss of key data, combined with findings of limited training and unfamiliarity with the new vessel’s handling, has raised concerns about oversight and operational preparedness.
MTO report blames crew, while captain says electric thrusters didn’t have enough power.
Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation (MTO) failed to retrieve data it acknowledged was “crucial” for accident investigators after the Wolfe Islander IV ran aground, preventing a full review of the crash that tore a hole in the ferry’s hull.
The vessel was carrying 58 passengers and crew when it went off course, entered shallow waters, then gashed its hull on rocks and mud shortly after leaving Marysville, Ont. on a windy day last December.
It continued toward Kingston, eventually taking on approximately 70,000 litres of water — about the volume of a backyard swimming pool. No one was injured.
What followed were months spent waiting for repairs and information from the ministry about how the new, electric ferry was damaged. Meanwhile, island residents who rely on the service were left guessing at what happened.
Now, two documents obtained by CBC through freedom of information requests and made public for the first time provide conflicting explanations for the crash.
A MTO investigation concluded it was the result of a combination of factors including “a delayed response from the Bridge team, environmental conditions and navigational challenges,” while a report from the ship’s captain blamed underpowered thrusters.
Further complicating matters, the MTO report notes investigators were working without two key pieces of information
A brand new vessel, the WI4 is packed with technology, including two Electronic Chart Display and Information System units (ECDIS), which show and log its location in real-time, like a GPS.
Also onboard is a Voyage Data Recorder (VDR), a device comparable to an airplane’s “black box.”
The VDR securely stores information about the vessel’s position, movement and command decisions for a period of 30 days, according to the MTO report.
“This objective data is crucial for accident investigators to reconstruct events, identify operational issues, and analyze human factors contributing to incidents,” it reads.
However, data from both the VDR and the ECDIS units were not retrieved within the 30-day deadline, the MTO found.
Those failures “prevented a full post-incident review,” the report stated, without explaining why the information wasn’t collected.
It was up to MTO to retain that data, said John Dalziel, an adjunct professor of industrial engineering at Dalhousie University, where one of his focuses is marine safety..
“I think it was very poor as an organization not to save it,” he said.
“I think it was very poor as an organization not to save it,” he said.
He was aboard during the crash, though off duty. A captain himself, with 15 years of experience, MacLaren said he’s “baffled” the ministry didn’t secure that data.
“Those pieces of equipment are there for this type of situation, in order to have people debrief properly, to avoid similar situations happening again,” he said.
MTO said no one was available for an interview. It also did not respond directly to a list of questions, including why the VDR and ECDIS data weren’t retrieved and how it could be confident in its findings without that information.
Despite not having that data, MTO described its investigation as “extensive.” It found the immediate cause of the crash was a navigational error by the bridge team, which it said did not actively monitor the route or compensate for wind.
Investigators also said a passage plan — the route the ferry would follow — hadn’t been entered into the ECDIS, meaning warning systems didn’t sound.
The ministry listed “poor situational awareness” and a communication breakdown as other factors.
The captain of the ferry had a different explanation in his account of the crash, also obtained by CBC through freedom of information laws.
In a marine occurrence report filed with the Transportation Safety Board, he stated the wind blew the vessel off course and when he tried to correct it, the electric thrusters were “unable to provide the propulsion required” before it was too late.
*MTO acknowledges the new ferry is different from the old one.
Its report states the WI4’s electric drive comes with torque limits to protect the propulsion system. This approach maintains safe and sustainable performance, limiting the ability to ‘muscle’ the vessel as seen in previous ferries,” it reads.
The hull design also “significantly impacts its maneuverability” because it has a keel. That increases stability compared to flat-bottomed boats but creates resistance when moving sideways.
Those two factors require a different approach to steering.
“Captains must anticipate turns earlier and apply more gradual adjustments rather than relying on brute force to negotiate tight maneuvers,” the MTO said.
That came into play on Dec. 4. when the ministry said the ferry was operating in “suboptimal” conditions, involving snow, moderate visibility and winds up to 45 km/h.
Given the situation, “continuous assessment and adjustment” of the vessel’s track should have been made, the MTO concluded, adding that “increased situational awareness in the wheelhouse, could have influenced the timing and effectiveness of corrective actions.”
However, the ministry acknowledged that given the WI4 was newly in service, crew members didn’t have much experience handling it in rough conditions.
Training protocols for the boat running aground had also not been integrated, the MTO found in a section titled “Training & Competency Gaps.”
It’s a grim reminder of how dangerous the job can be.
Lee MacLaren, President OPSEU Local 428
Dalziel, the professor who teaches marine safety, said he sees a lack of experience and training as “almost the biggest failure in this whole thing,” noting the channel the ferry uses doesn’t leave much room for error.
MacLaren, the union president, said in his opinion the new vessel is “grossly underpowered,” describing that as a “great concern” for crews with winter coming.
“When you’re in tight situations or in narrow channels, there is a problem with gusts of wind putting you in places that no matter how good you are at handling the ship, you may simply not be able to get out of that situation due to the ship’s capabilities,” he said.
In its statement to CBC, ministry spokesperson Julia Caslin said the safe operation of the ferry is its “highest priority.” “The Wolfe Islander IV has been designed and built for operation in local conditions, including varying weather conditions,” she wrote, adding following its review MTO has added “safeguards” for the vessel.
“These include updated marine surveys along the navigation channel, additional buoys to mark the channel, and additional scenario-based drills and enhanced training programs for all ferry crews.”
Those measures were among a list of 19 actions the ministry proposed in its report, along with mandated retrieval and archiving ECDIS and VDR data after any future crashes. MacLaren said those steps should have been taken before the grounding.
He agreed crews could use more training, especially when it comes to rough weather or emergencies, but said this yet to materialize.
While no one was hurt when the ferry bottomed out, MacLaren said had the hole been punched in a slightly different part of the hull, it would have flooded a main engine room.
“That could have destroyed millions of dollars in equipment … as well as caused a way more dangerous situation in the stability of the ship as the water was coming in,” he said.
“It’s a grim reminder of how dangerous the job can be.”
Source: CBC News via Janey Anderson
Mark 50 years since Edmund Fitzgerald sinking with historic cuisine, wreath laying
DETROIT, MI – From dining on authentic cuisine served on the ill-fated freighter to a solemn laying of wreaths on the water, the Detroit Historical Society is hosting a weekend of events to honor the 29 mariners who died in the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald nearly 50 years ago.
The museum is planning several opportunities, paid and free, to honor the Fitzgerald, which went down in a violent storm on Nov. 10, 1975, and is remembered in the Gordon Lightfoot ballad.
Rebecca Salminen-Witt, a spokeswoman for the Detroit Historical Society, said tickets are expected to sell out fast for a special brunch set for Sunday, Nov. 9, and the solemn wreath-laying ceremony on Nov. 10. Free events also are scheduled at the museum throughout the weekend.
“It’s important for people to learn about this history ― there’s a lot of it. And Detroit played a huge role in the maritime history of the state and in the whole country,” Salminen-Witt said.
Friday Nov. 7
The commemorative weekend kicks off at 11 a.m. with a book talk featuring Thomas Nelson, the author of “Wrecked: the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy.”
Salminen-Witt said Nelson’s book takes a unique perspective on the ship’s sinking and how the loss of thousands of pounds of ore affected Michigan’s manufacturing economy, ultimately impacting the nation’s economy.
Register for the book talk here: https://www.detroithistorical.org/events/book-talk-wrecked
Detroit Free Press
Detroit Historical Society hosts several events for 50th anniversary of Edmund Fitzgerald sinking
By: Max White
(WXYZ) — The Detroit Historical Society is hosting a full weekend of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
According to the society, the activities all take place at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle, and will kick off on Friday, Nov. 7, with a talk by author Thomas Nelson, who wrote the book “WRECKED: the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy.”
On Saturday, Nov. 8, curators and docents will host drop-in tours of the Edmund Fitzgerald exhibit on the lower level of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. Also, the Great Lakes Maritime Institute will be there for information and merchandise.
Also on Saturday, the Livonia Amateur Radio Club will be in DeRoy Hall for the Edmund Fitzgerald radio broadcast, and a new pop-up exhibit will debut.
Sunday morning, the museum will host its first-ever Maritime Brunch, which will feature a chef-prepared meal directly from the Edmund Fitzgerald’s on-ship menu, along with a video presentation from Ship-to-Shore Chef Catherine Schmuck.
During the brunch, a new film will premiere about the Edmund Fitzgerald with experts from around the Great Lakes. Tickets for the brunch are available now.
Finally, on Monday, the society will host its 26th annual Lost Mariner’s Remembrance, which is a tribute to the sailors who were lost on the Great Lakes. The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and begins with a lantern vigil at the Fitzgerald’s bow setting. Officials say the event sells out every year, and tickets are available now.
Click to see Full story and videos: https://www.wxyz.com/news/detroit-historical-society-hosts-several-events-for-50th-anniversary-of-edmund-fitzgerald-sinking?sfnsn=mo&fbclid=IwY2xjawMsZ1VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHi7V_IMl1KDLaV2aLwAgHT9l68-iG1GT4NPz0DBD_7FrGRv3vNimb9LJi74Q_aem_jJq4jLDiDZj4tCbMK3qspw
ISMA Milwaukee Lodge, Wisconsin Marine Historical Society
Will Host 50th Anniversary Fitzgerald Commemoration
International Ship Masters Association Milwaukee Lodge and the
Wisconsin Marine Historical Society have partnered to commemorate
the SS Edmund Fitzgerald and her Crew on the 50th anniversary of
her sinking.
Join us on Monday, November 10th, from 5-8 PM, at The
Cooperage (822 S. Water St., Milwaukee). The event will feature a
solemn bell ringing ceremony at 6:10 PM in memory of the 29 lost
crew members, followed by speakers sharing their personal
connections to this historic event.
Admission includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Tickets
are $20 presale, or $40 at the door if space allows. Secure your spot
early – the first 200 tickets sold will receive a commemorative
challenge coin and gift bag. Presale ends November 5, 2025.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to reflect on a solemn and
significant event in Great Lakes history. Space is limited, so purchase
your tickets today at:
http://www.shipmaster.org/lodge-6
This event is a commemoration, not a fund raiser.
Boatnerd News – October 12, 2025
Damaged Manitoulin remains stopped at Iroquois Lock
The self-unloading bulk carrier Manitoulin remains tied up on the South lower wall of Iroquois Lock after veering out of the channel October 3 slightly above Cardinal at the turn, with heavy current pushing her into a shallow area (as per her track line). She took on water, and divers have been spotted around her stern.
ISMA Milwaukee Lodge, Wisconsin Marine Historical Society
Will Host 50th Anniversary Fitzgerald Commemoration
International Ship Masters Association Milwaukee Lodge and the
Wisconsin Marine Historical Society have partnered to commemorate
the SS Edmund Fitzgerald and her Crew on the 50th anniversary of
her sinking.
Join us on Monday, November 10th, from 5-8 PM, at The
Cooperage (822 S. Water St., Milwaukee). The event will feature a
solemn bell ringing ceremony at 6:10 PM in memory of the 29 lost
crew members, followed by speakers sharing their personal
connections to this historic event.
Admission includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Tickets
are $20 presale, or $40 at the door if space allows. Secure your spot
early – the first 200 tickets sold will receive a commemorative
challenge coin and gift bag. Presale ends November 5, 2025.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to reflect on a solemn and
significant event in Great Lakes history. Space is limited, so purchase
your tickets today at:
http://www.shipmaster.org/lodge-6
This event is a commemoration, not a fund raiser.
Mark 50 years since Edmund Fitzgerald sinking with historic cuisine, wreath laying
DETROIT, MI – From dining on authentic cuisine served on the ill-fated freighter to a solemn laying of wreaths on the water, the Detroit Historical Society is hosting a weekend of events to honor the 29 mariners who died in the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald nearly 50 years ago.
The museum is planning several opportunities, paid and free, to honor the Fitzgerald, which went down in a violent storm on Nov. 10, 1975, and is remembered in the Gordon Lightfoot ballad.
Rebecca Salminen-Witt, a spokeswoman for the Detroit Historical Society, said tickets are expected to sell out fast for a special brunch set for Sunday, Nov. 9, and the solemn wreath-laying ceremony on Nov. 10. Free events also are scheduled at the museum throughout the weekend.
“It’s important for people to learn about this history ― there’s a lot of it. And Detroit played a huge role in the maritime history of the state and in the whole country,” Salminen-Witt said.
Friday Nov. 7
The commemorative weekend kicks off at 11 a.m. with a book talk featuring Thomas Nelson, the author of “Wrecked: the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy.”
Salminen-Witt said Nelson’s book takes a unique perspective on the ship’s sinking and how the loss of thousands of pounds of ore affected Michigan’s manufacturing economy, ultimately impacting the nation’s economy.
Register for the book talk here: https://www.detroithistorical.org/events/book-talk-wrecked
Detroit Free Press
Detroit Historical Society hosts several events for 50th anniversary of Edmund Fitzgerald sinking
By: Max White
(WXYZ) — The Detroit Historical Society is hosting a full weekend of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
According to the society, the activities all take place at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle, and will kick off on Friday, Nov. 7, with a talk by author Thomas Nelson, who wrote the book “WRECKED: the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy.”
On Saturday, Nov. 8, curators and docents will host drop-in tours of the Edmund Fitzgerald exhibit on the lower level of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. Also, the Great Lakes Maritime Institute will be there for information and merchandise.
Also on Saturday, the Livonia Amateur Radio Club will be in DeRoy Hall for the Edmund Fitzgerald radio broadcast, and a new pop-up exhibit will debut.
Sunday morning, the museum will host its first-ever Maritime Brunch, which will feature a chef-prepared meal directly from the Edmund Fitzgerald’s on-ship menu, along with a video presentation from Ship-to-Shore Chef Catherine Schmuck.
During the brunch, a new film will premiere about the Edmund Fitzgerald with experts from around the Great Lakes. Tickets for the brunch are available now.
Finally, on Monday, the society will host its 26th annual Lost Mariner’s Remembrance, which is a tribute to the sailors who were lost on the Great Lakes. The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and begins with a lantern vigil at the Fitzgerald’s bow setting. Officials say the event sells out every year, and tickets are available now.
Click to see Full story and videos: https://www.wxyz.com/news/detroit-historical-society-hosts-several-events-for-50th-anniversary-of-edmund-fitzgerald-sinking?sfnsn=mo&fbclid=IwY2xjawMsZ1VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHi7V_IMl1KDLaV2aLwAgHT9l68-iG1GT4NPz0DBD_7FrGRv3vNimb9LJi74Q_aem_jJq4jLDiDZj4tCbMK3qspw
Boatnerd News – October 10, 2025
John J. Boland Under Tow After Engine Issues
1:42 p.m. UPDATE: The tugs and their tow have arrived at Mistersky Fuel Dock in Detroit.
10:30 a.m. UPDATE: Tugs Minnesota and Ohio have the Boland in tow and are proceeding downbound.
ORIGINAL REPORT: Around 9 a.m. Friday, Sarnia Traffic advised another ship that John J. Boland experienced mechanical issues at lower end of Lake St. Clair. She appears to be at anchor near light 1, at the right side of the channel. Walter J. McCarthy is currently downbound Lake St. Clair, but at reduced speed. Tugs Minnesota and Ohio are headed to Boland to assist if needed.
Cargo Ship Thamesborg Refloated After 33 Days in Remote Canadian Arctic
Royal Wagenborg confirmed that the refloating operation for its vessel Thamesborg was successful, and the ship will be proceeding to exit the Arctic to a port of refuge. The vessel had been stranded for 33 days after grounding on September 6 in the Franklin Strait off Prince of Wales Island, Canada.
The company and T&T Salvage, which was retained for the operation, had said earlier in the week that they were prepared for a refloating attempt depending on the weather conditions in the area. In preparation, they report that 5,000 tons of the cargo of carbon blocks for industrial use was offloaded to two cargo ships, Silver Copenhagen and Nunalik, which had been brought in as part of the rescue operation.
The Thamesborg was refloated at approximately 0600 local time on October 9. The operation involved reducing the water level in the ballast tanks that had been damaged during the grounding. The MSV Botnica, an offshore support vessel, aided in the refloating effort after arriving with specialized equipment. The Canadian Coast Guard vessel Des Groseilliers was also standing by to oversee the operation and monitor for potential pollution.
The company reports the vessel was floated without further damage, and there continues to be no signs of pollution. The crew of 15 and an ice advisor who was aboard to advise during the voyage have remained on the vessel and are reported to be in good health and uninjured.
After the vessel was refloated, an inspection team was surveying the hull. Wagenborg reports that after receiving clearance to proceed, the vessel will be making its way to a port of refuge. The AIS signal was changed this morning to show a destination of Baie Comeau, Canada, on the St. Lawrence, where the vessel is due on October 24.
The Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Wagenborg said it was a race to get the vessel out of the Arctic before the onset of winter weather. The ship has an ice class hull, which will permit it to navigate in first-year ice, although the company said the route out of the Arctic would be determined by weather conditions. Wagenborg said it is extending its sincere gratitude to the Canadian Coast Guard, Transport Canada, the salvage teams, and all government agencies and staff who provided crucial assistance throughout this operation.
Maritime Monster
2 Northern Venture Crew Injured at Goderich
Two crew members onboard Mckeil Marine’s Northern Venture were injured after being pinned under some equipment aboard their vessel in Goderich’s Harbour
Source – CTV News – Scott Miller
Seaway Monthly Traffic Results Through September-30-2025
[Results chart below in gallery]
Cleveland port begins electrifying operations to reduce emissions
CLEVELAND, OH – One of the largest ports in the Midwest is officially starting to decarbonize, thanks to a Biden-era grant program that has so far survived the Trump administration’s assault on all things clean energy.
Late last month, the Port of Cleveland began renovating its main warehouse on the shore of Lake Erie. When the work is complete, Warehouse A will have roughly 2 megawatts’ worth of rooftop solar panels, plus battery storage and numerous charging ports for cargo-handling equipment.
Cleveland, which received a $94 million award from the Clean Ports Program announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last fall, is one of three Great Lakes port groups benefitting from the funding. Although the agency has reneged on many other funding commitments under President Donald Trump, work and payments for the $2.9 billion ports program are still moving ahead.
The country’s more than 300 ports, which ship and receive the materials, food, and other products that Americans rely on, are mostly powered by fossil fuels. Their cranes, forklifts, and other freight-handling equipment burn diesel fuel, and so do the ships and boats docked at those ports, sending not only planet-warming greenhouse gases into the atmosphere but toxic pollution that can harm the people who work and live nearby.
To address both problems, the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority has set a goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. “We want to have a lower impact on surrounding communities. We also want to stay ahead of regulations,” said Bryan Celik, a contract engineer for the Port of Cleveland. The goal covers the port’s direct Scope 1 emissions, as well as its Scope 2 emissions for energy use.
Global shipping companies face increasing pressure to decarbonize boats and ships, and technology for wind-powered and battery-powered vessels has improved in recent years.
The U.S. has previously taken steps toward decarbonizing shipping, including by partnering with Norway on the Green Shipping Challenge, but the Trump administration has scuttled progress this year. Trump also opposes a proposed global fee on greenhouse gas emissions that the International Maritime Organization will consider formally adopting this month.
The nearly $3 billion in Clean Ports Program funding nationwide “has transformative potential for U.S. ports,” said Jerold Brito, a program associate with the Electrification Coalition, a nonprofit that helped coordinate a Sept. 25 event on regional port electrification hosted by the Port of Cleveland.
Indeed, Cleveland is not alone in its efforts to clean up its port. The Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority, for example, has an even more ambitious goal of reaching net-zero for its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2040, said its sustainability manager, Taylor Mitchell.
Because so much is shipped through ports, Mitchell says, electrifying these hubs of commerce is a “cool opportunity to have a really huge impact on the planet.”
During the late September event organized by the Electrification Coalition, representatives from Cleveland, Detroit, and Hamilton, Ontario, met with contractors and others in industry and nonprofit organizations to share plans and address challenges.
For Brito, this sort of collaboration is key to the success of port electrification.
“Realizing that potential will require buy-in from — and coordination with — the regional networks of industry, nonprofit, and government actors affected by ports’ electrification,” he said.
For example, work at Cleveland’s Warehouse A necessitates collaborating with Cleveland Public Power, the city’s municipal utility. While solar panels and battery storage at the warehouse will eventually provide much of the port’s electricity needs, it still requires more grid power in order to fully electrify.
Other phases of the work will add cabling and connections for vessels to operate with electric power while they’re in port. That “shore power,” or cold ironing, could let boats and ships shut off their diesel engines until it’s time to get underway again.
Additionally, Logistec USA, the port operator, will acquire an electric crane and electric forklifts. And the Great Lakes Towing Co. will build two electric tugboats.
Coordination with other stakeholders also presents challenges for the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority. “We really don’t have much of a footprint ourselves,” except for a cruise dock, noted Mark Schrupp, executive director for the port authority.
Instead, most cargo carried by boats and ships moves through private docks in industrial port areas around the city. “We’ve definitely got to think of ways to get the private sector on board.”
But companies may not want to take some steps on an individual basis, such as constructing and installing power lines and charging equipment at privately owned docks that would only be used part-time.
So the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority is exploring alternatives, such as how hydrogen could produce clean electricity aboard a boat that could then act as a mobile plug-in port for docked vessels’ shore power.
Developing shore power calls for even more groups working together on a broader scale. “We really need a standard as much for a port as for a ship, because if there is a mismatch, you would have invested all of that for nothing,” said Hugo Daniel, a doctoral candidate at the University of Sherbrooke in Quebec who researches engineering challenges in shore power. Ideally, Canada and the United States will join forces on a strategy for the Great Lakes that aligns with practices from California, the European Union, and China, he said.
Without standards set at the regional and national level, states and cities that try to compel changes on their own could see shippers simply move to other ports with more lax rules, Schrupp said. While some firms looking to slash their supply-chain emissions might prefer to work with a port that is decarbonizing operations, others might avoid areas that could restrict their diesel use.
Great Lakes ports are big economic drivers. More than 23,000 jobs and about $7 billion in annual economic activity are tied to Cleveland’s port alone, Celik said. Yet it and other inland ports handle a smaller volume of business than most of their counterparts on the East and West coasts, making it that much harder to spread costs and recoup major investments like electrification.
“Like all previous transitions, the electrification transition will present novel challenges and opportunities,” Brito said. “So Great Lakes ports must remain nimble.”
Canary Media
ISMA Milwaukee Lodge, Wisconsin Marine Historical Society to Host 50th Anniversary Fitzgerald Commemoration
International Ship Masters Association Milwaukee Lodge and the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society have partnered to commemorate the SS Edmund Fitzgerald and her Crew on the 50th anniversary of her sinking.
Join us on Monday, November 10th, from 5-8 PM, at The Cooperage (822 S. Water St., Milwaukee). The event will feature a solemn bell ringing ceremony at 6:10 PM in memory of the 29 lost crew members, followed by speakers sharing their personal connections to this historic event.
Admission includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Tickets are $20 presale, or $40 at the door if space allows. Secure your spot early – the first 200 tickets sold will receive a commemorative challenge coin and gift bag. Presale ends November 5, 2025.
Space is limited, so purchase your tickets today at:
http://www.shipmaster.org/lodge-6
This event is a commemoration, not a fund raiser.
Mark 50 years since Edmund Fitzgerald sinking with historic cuisine, wreath laying
DETROIT, MI – From dining on authentic cuisine served on the ill-fated freighter to a solemn laying of wreaths on the water, the Detroit Historical Society is hosting a weekend of events to honor the 29 mariners who died in the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald nearly 50 years ago.
The museum is planning several opportunities, paid and free, to honor the Fitzgerald, which went down in a violent storm on Nov. 10, 1975, and is remembered in the Gordon Lightfoot ballad.
Rebecca Salminen-Witt, a spokeswoman for the Detroit Historical Society, said tickets are expected to sell out fast for a special brunch set for Sunday, Nov. 9, and the solemn wreath-laying ceremony on Nov. 10. Free events also are scheduled at the museum throughout the weekend.
“It’s important for people to learn about this history ― there’s a lot of it. And Detroit played a huge role in the maritime history of the state and in the whole country,” Salminen-Witt said.
Friday Nov. 7
The commemorative weekend kicks off at 11 a.m. with a book talk featuring Thomas Nelson, the author of “Wrecked: the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy.” Salminen-Witt said Nelson’s book takes a unique perspective on the ship’s sinking and how the loss of thousands of pounds of ore affected Michigan’s manufacturing economy, ultimately impacting the nation’s economy. Register for the book talk here: https://www.detroithistorical.org/events/book-talk-wrecked
Detroit Free Press
Detroit Historical Society hosts events for 50th anniversary of Edmund Fitzgerald sinking
By: Max White
(WXYZ) — The Detroit Historical Society is hosting a full weekend of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
According to the society, the activities all take place at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle, and will kick off on Friday, Nov. 7, with a talk by author Thomas Nelson, who wrote the book “WRECKED: the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy.”
On Saturday, Nov. 8, curators and docents will host drop-in tours of the Edmund Fitzgerald exhibit on the lower level of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. Also, the Great Lakes Maritime Institute will be there for information and merchandise.
Also on Saturday, the Livonia Amateur Radio Club will be in DeRoy Hall for the Edmund Fitzgerald radio broadcast, and a new pop-up exhibit will debut.
Sunday morning, the museum will host its first-ever Maritime Brunch, which will feature a chef-prepared meal directly from the Edmund Fitzgerald’s on-ship menu, along with a video presentation from Ship-to-Shore Chef Catherine Schmuck.
During the brunch, a new film will premiere about the Edmund Fitzgerald with experts from around the Great Lakes. Tickets for the brunch are available now.
Finally, on Monday, the society will host its 26th annual Lost Mariner’s Remembrance, which is a tribute to the sailors who were lost on the Great Lakes. The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and begins with a lantern vigil at the Fitzgerald’s bow setting. Officials say the event sells out every year, and tickets are available now.
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