Boatnerd announces contest for new logo design

4/21 - As a key part of the recently announced redesign of the Boatnerd.com Web site, readers are being invited to submit designs for a new logo.

Submissions, which should reflect a Great Lakes/shipping theme, must be received by May 15 and the winning design will become the property of Boatnerd.com. The winner will receive $100 and recognition for their design.

Send high-resolution (5 MB or greater) submissions (JPG, TIFF or Adobe Illustrator vector art) to moderator@boatnerd.net

Great Lakes iron ore trade down almost 40 percent in March

4/12 - Cleveland, Ohio – Iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 975,000 tons in March, a decrease of 39 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings also trailed the month’s 5-year average by more than 26 percent.

The decrease reflects the lack of adequate icebreaking resources on the Great Lakes. The ice fields in Whitefish Bay at the eastern end of Lake Superior and in the Straits of Mackinac were very thick, but two of the U.S. Coast Guard’s icebreakers have been in need of extensive repairs this spring and the government shutdown did delay some work.

Year-to-date the iron ore trade stands at 3.4 million tons, an increase of 9.5 percent. Ice conditions in January were less challenging.

Lake Carriers’ Association

Engine trouble lays up icebreaker Samuel Risley

4/12 - Thunder Bay, Ont. – Engine trouble has laid up the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Samuel Risley in Thunder Bay.

The Risley arrived in port on March 22 and spent several days opening shipping lanes in preparation for the navigation season before being reassigned to Whitefish Bay in eastern Lake Superior.

On March 29, however, the Coast Guard "determined that the Samuel Risley required work on its main propulsion engines in order to ensure continued operations," spokesperson Carol Launderville said Thursday in a statement to Tbnewswatch.

The Risley returned to Thunder Bay where repairs will be done on her main propulsion engines "in order to ensure continued operations," Launderville said. The repairs are expected to be completed sometime this month.

Launderville said another coast guard vessel, the Griffon, is currently working in the port, with a second boat expected soon. The Pierre Radisson, a larger vessel, is currently making her way to the port.

Earlier, the US Coast Guard cutter Alder was also breaking ice in Thunder Bay. Icebreaking operations include preparing an extensive network of approach tracks and interconnecting routes for ships to reach various terminals, allowing for the safe movement of lake boats and tugs.

Tbnewswatch

Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. As the new season begins, please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
The massive storm battering western Lake Superior kept activity in the Twin Ports at a standstill on Thursday. Erie Trader/tug Clyde S. VanEnkevort were tied up at Canadian National waiting for weather conditions to improve so they could depart, and Herbert C. Jackson remains at Port Terminal receiving repairs to her hull from ice damage. Depending on how the weather plays out, Duluth may not see any arrivals until late Friday or Saturday.

Two Harbors-Silver Bay – Gary A. Putney
CSL Laurentien continues to sit in Two Harbors at South of #2 waiting on weather. There is no ETD. Weather permitting the John D. Leitch is due Two Harbors on Friday. She has been running between Isle Royale and the North Shore since the 10th. Due Northshore Mining in Silver Bay on April 12th, weather permitting, is the American Century. She is currently anchored on SW end of Isle Royale.

Thunder Bay, Ont.
Thursday April 11th: 18:40 CCGS Pierre Radisson arrived at Keefer Terminal. She is the third ice-breaker at the port: CCGS Griffon arrived April 9 and the CCGS Samuel Risley has been at the Coast Guard base undergoing engine repairs.

Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee’s first salty of 2019 is scheduled to arrive Friday (4/12). Loaded with steel, Polsteam’s Irma left IJmuiden, Netherlands, March 20. Milwaukee will be her third stop. She was in Montreal April 3 and Cleveland April 8.

Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Algoma Innovator was loading salt for Milwaukee on Thursday.

Detroit-Rouge River, MI – Raymond H.
The tug Calusa Coast and her tank barge Delaware arrived at the Waterfront Petroleum Terminal to fuel, before returning to the Ojibway Anchorage Thursday morning. A short time later, the saltwater vessel Maria G also stopped for fuel before continuing upbound.

Cleveland, OH – Bill Kloss
Sam Laud delivered ore from Ashtabula to Arcelor Mittal and is back on the shuttles from the Bulk Terminal.

Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Thursday April 10 - by Barry Andersen

Nanticoke:
arrival - Apr 10 - Algoscotia at 0424 - Apr 11 - James R Barker at 0457 - departed - James R Barker at 1753 westbound

Welland Canal:
upbound - Apr 10 - Ludogorets (Mlt) (ex Marbacan-16, Fritz-14, Luebbert-10) at 1127, Algoma Buffalo at 1647, Algoma Enterprise at 1735 and Kaministiqua at 2038 (stopping wharf 2) - Apr 11 - Damia Desgagnes at 0046, Kaministiqua, Federal Oshima (Mhl) at 1152, Algoma Sault at 1337, CCGS Des Groseilliers at 2053 (to the Port Weller anchorage) and Mottler (Cyp) eta 2135

downbound - Apr 11 - NACC Argonaut at 1127

Welland Canal docks:
arrival - Apr 10 - Kaministiqua at 2110 (at wharf 2) - Apr 11 - departed wharf 2 late morning upbound

Port Weller anchorage:
arrivals - Apr 11 - Tuvaq W (ex San Pietro-18, Bering-13) at 0725 from Bronte and CCGS Desgroseililers at 2108 approx.

Hamilton:
arrival - docked - Apr 6 - Stella Polaris (Nld) at 2141 - Apr 8 - Federal Asahi (Mhl) at 1855 - Apr 9 - Algoma Sault at 2148 - departed - Apr 11 - Algoma Sault at 1118 and Algoma Enterprise at 1459 both for the canal

Mississauga:
departed Apr 11 - Adfines Sea (Mlt) (ex Osttank Norway-1) at 0603 - back to Port Weller anchorage

Toronto:
docked - Apr 6 - Cape (Lbr) (ex Heloise-15) at 0432

Rochester, NY – Tom Brewer
McKeil Spirit arrived at about 13:00 Thursday at Lehigh Cement.

Lingering ice in Lake Michigan causes delay to start of Beaver Island ferry service

4/12 - Charlevoix, Mich. – Ice in the middle of Lake Michigan has delayed ferry service from Beaver Island to Charlevoix. The first ferry of the season for Beaver Island Boat Company was expected to leave Wednesday morning but had no clear path to reach Charlevoix.

The president of the company said all they can do right now is wait for Mother Nature to break up the ice.

“We are at Mother Nature’s whim this time of year, so the islanders are kind of used to it," said Tim McQueer. "We are starting to get deliveries and stuff already, but they are more interested and we’re are more interested to make sure that we start when It’s safe and everyone understands.”

McQueer said they will try again on Friday, but it could take until the middle of next week for the ice to clear.

WPBN/WGTU

Lake Superior continues to rise

4/12 - Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. – With Lake Superior water levels a full foot above the long-term average and plenty of snow yet to melt, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is forecasting the water table will rise another 3 inches for the first week of May.

“Relatively wet conditions continued across the Upper Great Lakes basin in March,” reported the International Lake Superior Board of Control (ILSBC) as it announced the International Joint Commission will allow all three hydropower plants in the St. Marys River to flow at maximum capacity. “And water levels of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron remain well above average.”

Lake Superior, according to USACE, data is approximately 4 inches higher than it was in early April of 2019 and is just 4 inches short of the highest April water level as recorded in 1986. By contrast, Lake Superior stands a full 33 inches above the April low-water mark in 1926.

“The above average levels coupled with strong winds and waves continue to result in shoreline erosion and coastal damages across the upper Great Lakes system,” reported the (ILSBC). “Additional shoreline erosion and coastal damages may occur this spring should active weather continue.”

The Lake Michigan-Huron water table is even higher at an estimated 20 inches above the long-term average according to the USACE. This water table, however, even with the 6-inch increase from April 2018 is still 13 inches below the long-term high set in 1986. In comparing this year’s number to the all-time April low, the water table stands 51 inches above the 1964 mark.

Rounding out the other lakes, the USACE shows Lake Erie is 20 inches higher than normal for April, while Lake Ontario stand 6 inches above its long-term April average

All of the Great Lakes are expected to rise by 3 to 7-inches over the upcoming month.

Sault News

36 years of shining a light on Split Rock's history comes to an end

4/12 - Two Harbors, MN – There may be few occupations considered more romantic than being a lighthouse keeper. And Lee Radzak, who will retire Friday after 36 years at the iconic Split Rock Light House on Lake Superior's North Shore, might argue there are few jobs that people misconceive more.

Split Rock's been drawing visitors since the 1920s, when Highway 61 opened. People marvel at the lighthouse standing sentinel on the 160-foot cliff looking out across the breathtaking expanse of Lake Superior.

Radzak moved here in 1983.

"This was a perfect place," he said. "My wife and I just got married a couple of months earlier and we were ripe for a change so it worked out great."

For lighthouse lovers — and apparently there are a lot — Split Rock seems to evoke solitude, at least based on the questions Radzak has fielded again and again.

"If my wife and I are sitting on the front porch they say, 'Do you live here?' Yes. 'Do you live here year-round?' Yes. 'Oh, it must be lonely!'," he said. "And then you want to say, 'Look behind you. There's 50 people standing there listening to you talk, or climbing the steps to the lighthouse."

Split Rock attracts 160,000 visitors every year, about 2,500 a day during the summer. There are far fewer in winter, but they still come, even when it's below zero and the storms blow so hard the spray coats the buildings with ice.

While people often describe him as the lighthouse keeper, his title is historic site manager. Radzak trained as an archaeologist. Split Rock attracted him as an opportunity to focus on one historic site and develop it. There was a lot to learn, starting with the history.

See photos and listen to an audio report at this link: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/04/10/36-years-of-shining-a-light-on-split-rock-history

On the St. Lawrence Seaway, shipping season is moving full steam ahead

4/12 - “All ahead slow,” Capt. Ross Armstrong tells his helmsmen as he guides his 25,000-ton freighter into Lock One on the Welland Canal to open the 61st shipping season on the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Further upstream Girish Ramchandani guides his key into lock 1 to open up his unique motel for his 6th shipping season. He owns the Inn at Lock 7 and most of his clients want to rent a room as close as possible to one of North America’s busiest highways.

Highway H20 doesn’t carry cars and trucks, but is the marketing name for the St. Lawrence Seaway that carries ships from around the world into the heart of North America.

Those huge vessels need to climb 200 metres to go from the Atlantic Ocean to Thunder Bay and much of that climb happens right in front of Inn at Lock 7. It’s the last of the locks that carry ships up and over the Niagara Escarpment that separates Lake Ontario from Lake Erie and creates Niagara Falls.

The action attracts ship enthusiasts from throughout North America and elsewhere who sit on the 24 balconies at Ramchandani’s motel to watch the show.

Some guests are ambivalent about ships, but they love the people who operate them, and blowing kisses from a balcony is as close as some couples will get for weeks on end.

Nearly 3,600 ships will use the canal this season until it closes in late December. That’s when Ramchandani closes his motel for three months as well. Ship traffic has increased 14 per cent in the last two years — a steady flow of interesting vessels. It could be an authentic War of 1812 frigate, like the Pennsylvania-based USS Niagara, heading for Toronto; or it could be a modern U.S. Navy missile carrier upbound to Chicago.

Tall ships from around the world are coming to Toronto for Canada Day this summer and will then push on to communities on the Upper Lakes by passing through the Welland Canal.

Two years ago the largest Viking longboat in the world sailed through the canal. The 32-metre-long vessel, designed just like the Viking ships that arrived in Newfoundland 1,000 years ago, had sailed across the North Atlantic in April with its crew living fulltime on an open deck — just like their ancestors.

Much of the traffic on Highway H20 is Great Lakes freighters like the Algoma Equinox, Armstrong’s 740-foot-long vessel. When he reaches Lock 3 Armstrong will be presented with a silk top hat, awarded each spring to the first ship to open Welland’s season. Armstrong’s friend, Capt. Chesley Thorne, won the top hat last year aboard the Algoma Niagara. Both vessels were built in China in 2013 and 2017.

Read more and view photos at this link: https://www.thestar.com/life/travel/2019/04/11/on-the-st-lawrence-seaway-shipping-season-is-moving-full-steam-ahead.html

On 12 April 1896, PETER DALTON (propeller tug, 63 foot 49 gross tons, built in 1880, at Grand Haven, Michigan) caught fire off Grosse Pointe, Illinois, while returning to Chicago with the salvaged schooner A.J. DEWEY in tow and the boiler of the JOHNSON. The fire burned her in two before she finally sank. The DALTON's crew and the DEWEY were rescued by the tug WELCOME.

On 12 April 1874, the tug D.N. RUNNELS was launched Runnel's yard at the north end of the 7th Street Bridge in Port Huron, Michigan. As the tug splashed into the Black River, the flag at her bow was unfurled with her name on it. Commodore Runnels distributed oranges to the crowd of onlookers.

The tanker a.) LANA (Hull#151) was launched April 12, 1967, by Aktiebolaget Lodose Varv A/B at Lodose, Sweden. Renamed b.) NEW ORLEANS in 1988 and c.) NANCY ORR GAUCHER in 1989, she departed the Lakes in 1994. Renamed d.) PETRAWAK in 1996 and e.) TONGA in 2000.

Tanker LAKESHELL (Hull#389) of Marine Industries Ltd., Sorel, Quebec, was launched April 12, 1969, for Shell Canada Ltd.

Pioneer Steamship's steamer a.) A.A. AUGUSTUS (Hull#374) of American Ship Building Co., Lorain, Ohio, departed Cleveland on her maiden voyage April 12, 1910, bound for Green Bay, Wisconsin, with a load of coal. She was sold to Canadian registry in 1961, and renamed b.) HOWARD HINDMAN. She was scrapped at Bilbao, Spain, in 1969.

Hall Corp. of Canada's tanker HUDSON TRANSPORT (Hull#629) of the Davie Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Lauzon, Quebec, was launched April 12, 1962.

On April 12, 1955, while upbound from Monroe, Michigan to load iron ore at Duluth, the ENDERS M. VOORHEES had the honor of opening the second century of navigation through the St. Marys Falls Ship Canal, celebrated with great pomp and ceremony.

On 12 April 1880, the wooden 2-mast schooner-barge JUPITER was launched at Marysville, Michigan, after being rebuilt under the supervision of James Bowers. She was originally built in 1857, at Irving, New York, and after this rebuild, she lasted another 21 years.

On 12 April 1892, UGANDA (wooden propeller, 291 foot, 2,053 gross tons) was launched at W. Bay City, Michigan, at F.W. Wheeler's yard (Hull #88).

1949: The corvette H.M.C.S. BATTLEFORD was Hull 95 from the Collingwood Shipyard and it was commissioned at Montreal on July 31, 1941. The ship was sold to the Venezuelan Navy becoming b) LIBERTAD in 1946 and was wrecked on this date in 1949. 1991: CHANDA hailed from India and first came to the Great Lakes in 1978. The ship was laid up Bombay, India, on May 5, 1988, after 20 years of service. It was moved to the scrapyard on April 11, 1991, but a major fire erupted in the engine room April 12 during dismantling operations.

1993: MELISSA DESGAGNES ran aground in the St. Lawrence, two miles east of the Eisenhower Lock, at 2352 hours. The ship was en route from Windsor to Newfoundland with wheat and floated free, after being lightered, on April 15.

2009: SCARAB was 16 years old when it first came through the Seaway in 1999. The ship was sold and renamed JASPER in 2002 and never returned to our shores. It was anchored off Fatsa, Turkey, when it got blown aground on this date in 2009. Some 2000 tons of fertilizer had to be removed for the ship to float free and it went to Tuzla, Turkey, for repairs.

Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series.

Storm warnings send boats to shelter on Lake Superior’s north shore

4/11 - Wednesday morning the upbound convoy of ships that had been delayed by ice at the Soo arrived to take shelter in Thunder Bay. The forecast calls for easterly gales building to 45 knots with storm force gusts to 55 knots late Thursday. Waves are forecast to build to 12 to 17 feet with occasional 21-foot waves Thursday night. Gale warnings are also posted for Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.

Arriving in port through the morning Wednesday, with the CCGS Griffon providing ice breaking assistance, were Cuyahoga, American Century, Algoma Niagara, CSL Assiniboine and Walter J. McCarthy Jr.

While some vessels were there to load, others were anchoring in port to wait out the weather that was expected to build overnight. Anchoring were the American Century, Algoma Niagara, CSL Assiniboine and Walter J. McCarthy Jr. Shifting plate ice ran the vessels out of the bay that afternoon. Shortly after 4 p.m. the McCarthy got under way followed by the CSL Assiniboine, which planned on anchoring in the northeast corner of Lake Superior. They passed the inbound CSL Welland about 5 p.m. American Century and John D. Leitch planned on staying behind Isle Royal. Other vessels were upbound from the Soo to anchor in eastern Lake Superior.

McKeil Marine adds new cargo vessel to fleet

4/11 - Burlington, Ont. – McKeil Marine Ltd. has purchased the dry-bulk cargo vessel Gagliarda from overseas. The Maltese-flagged vessel (IMO 9546045), built in 2010 by Gemak Shipbuilding Industry & Trading S.A., Istanbul, Turkey, is a close sistership to the fleet’s Evans Spirit and McKeil Spirit. She measures 459 feet (140 metres) by 69 feet (21 metres), with a DWT of 14,600 metric tonnes.

Currently located in the Mediterranean, the vessel will undergo a brief drydock in Turkey before being repositioned to Canada at the end of May where Canadianization and renaming will take place.

“The acquisition of the Gagliarda maintains our growth trajectory while offering exciting new opportunities to our sailing and shore-based crews, creating value for our investors, and continuing to deliver on the promise to provide added value to our customers,” said Capt. Scott Bravener, president of McKeil.

The vessel is expected to trade throughout the Great Lakes and Eastern seaboard, carrying cement powder, grain and other bulk cargo.

McKeil Marine

CCGS Des Groseilliers to help lakes icebreaking efforts

4/11 - The Canadian Coast Guard is bringing in a third large icebreaker to help break ice on the Great Lakes. The Des Groseilliers will be assisting the Pierre Radisson, now on the upper Great Lakes, and the Amundsen on Lake Erie near Port Colborne, ON. All three of these icebreakers are of similar design and length. This is the first time three large Canadian icebreakers will be breaking ice on the Great Lakes at the same time.

Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. As the new season begins, please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Erie Trader/tug Clyde S. VanEnkevort arrived Duluth at 07:13 Wednesday morning, and tied up at CN to load iron ore pellets. She had no departure time listed, and may remain in the harbor to wait out the incoming storm. Herbert C. Jackson was also in port undergoing some form of repair work at Port Terminal. In Superior, Algoma Spirit was outbound with ore from Burlington Northern at 07:42. No further traffic is expected in the Twin Ports until Friday, likely due to the storm.

Thunder Bay, ON
Wednesday April 10th: 8:09 CCGS Griffon departed Keefer Terminal for ice-breaking operations in Thunder Bay harbor. 10:30 Upbound American Century arrived and went to anchor north of Pie Island. 11:25 CCGS Griffon returned to Keefer Terminal. 11:39 Cuyahoga weighed anchor and proceeded to Thunder Bay Terminals to load. 11:49 Two Harbors-bound CSL Assiniboine arrived and went to anchor north of Pie Island. 12:08 Algoma Niagara arrived and went to anchor southeast of the Welcome Islands. 13:24 CCGS Griffon again departed Keefer Terminal for ice-breaking operations in Thunder Bay harbor. 15:44 CSL Assiniboine departed Thunder Bay harbor. She would reverse course and move northeast along the Canadian North Shore. 16:02 Algoma Niagara weighed anchor and proceeded to Viterra B to load grain. 16:05 American Century departed Thunder Bay harbor. She would go anchor southwest of Isle Royale. 17:37 CSL Welland arrived at G3 to load grain. 17:55 Radcliffe R. Latimer departed Superior Elevator for Goderich. 18:56 CCGS Griffon returned to Keefer Terminal.

Sturgeon Bay, WI
Correction: It was reported Tuesday the barge Huron Spirit is still in the yard at Bay Shipbuilding. It departed March 28 with the tug Sharon M. 1.

Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Algoma Compass was loading salt on Wednesday. Algoma Innovator will load next, more salt for Milwaukee.

Detroit-Rouge River, MI – Raymond H.
Kaye E Barker returned Wednesday afternoon, this time unloading coal at the Zug Island coal dock. The mailboat J.W. Westcott II returned to service for the season on Wednesday.

Toledo, OH – Jim Hoffman
As of Tuesday 9 April there are six saltwater vessels that will be due to arrive at Toledo during the next several weeks. In no particular order they are BBC Brazil, Federal Dart, Federal Leda, Federal Oshima, Federal Shimanto and Ludogorets. It is assumed they will all be going to the Midwest Overseas Dock.

Cleveland, OH – Bill Kloss
John J. Boland lightered on Wednesday and proceeded up the Cuyahoga River to unload the remainder of her cargo at ArcelorMittal. Irma has departed for Milwaukee and NACC Argonaut remained at Lafarge Cement. Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder was heading to Cleveland with stone from Marblehead. Sam Laud and CSL St. Laurent are in Ashtabula.

Buffalo, NY
The Canadian polar icebreaker Amundsen is working off Buffalo attempting to clear a track into port, which continues to be blocked by an approximately 15-mile-wide ice field of varying depths. It is a very unusual event to see a polar icebreaker near this port. No icebreakers of the USCG have stationed here since the demise of the USCG Ojbawa, a Buffalo fixture for decades prior to its sale as surplus.

Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Wednesday April 9 – Barry Andersen

Nanticoke:
arrival - Apr 10 - Algoscotia at 0424

off Port Colborne:
stopped in the ice - tug Leonard M & Niagara Spirit cleared ice field around noon westbound

Welland Canal:
upbound - Apr 9 - Maria G (Mlt) (ex Gadwall-17) at 2306 - Apr 10 - Ludogorets (Mlt) (ex Marbacan-16, Fritz-14, Luebbert-10) at 1127, Algoma Buffalo at 1647, Algoma Enterprise at 1735 and Kaministiqua at 2038 (stopping wharf 2)

downbound - Apr 10 - Argentia Desgagnes at 0939, Oakglen at 1124 and Atlantic Huron at 1440 approx (from wharf 16)

Welland Canal docks:
arrival - Apr 10 - Kaministiqua at 2110 (at wharf 2) - docked - Apr 9 - Atlantic Huron (stopped wharf 16) - departed Apr 10 at 1410 approx.

Port Weller anchorage:
departures - Apr 10 - Tuvaq W (ex San Pietro-18, Bering-13) at 1530 approx. for Bronte and Algoma Buffalo at 1620 (from the anchorage) to the canal

Hamilton:
arrival - Apr 10 - Algoma Enterprise at 0626 - docked - Apr 6 - Stella Polaris (Nld) at 2141 - Apr 8 - Federal Asahi (Mhl) at 1855 - Apr 9 - Algoma Sault at 2148 - departed - Apr 10 - Algoma Enterprise at 1459 for the canal

Bronte:
arrival - Tuvaq W (ex San Pietro-18, Bering-13) at 1750 from Port Weller anchorage

Mississauga:
docked - Adfines Sea (Mlt) (ex Osttank Norway-1) at 0108

Toronto:
docked - Apr 6 - Cape (Lbr) (ex Heloise-15) at 0432

Construction of state-of-the-art grain terminal planned at Port of Oshawa

4/11 - Oshawa, Ont. – The year 2019 will be memorable for the Oshawa terminal, as QSL will be building a state-of-the-art grain export terminal in partnership with Sollio Agriculture, formerly known as the Agri-business Division of La Coop fédérée.

The infrastructure will be a Canadian Grain Commission-approved export facility. It will combine modern unloading equipment, grain storage and vessel-loading equipment that will benefit Canadian farmers served by Sollio Agriculture across the country.

Located in the heart of an important farming region, the new facility will shorten the trucking distance from the farms to the export terminal, will accelerate the pace of truck unloading and also minimize weather delays for the truck discharge segment.

The key benefit is to accelerate the logistics by providing farmers quick access to water export solutions. The whole operation will also benefit the environment, as the total operation will result in significant greenhouse gas reductions. The infrastructure is expected to be completed next autumn, and fully functional by next winter.

QSL is a terminal operator and stevedore firm which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2018. QSL operates its network of more than 30 terminals along the St. Lawrence–Great Lake axis, from Chicago to Saint-John’s.

QSL has many projects related to bulk in the Great Lakes region. These projects are carried by its subsidiaries in Chicago and Ogdensburg, by joint ventures in Port Weller and Port Colborne and also by QSL, Ontario Division (formerly known as Great Lakes Stevedoring Co) in Oshawa and Hamilton.

Drycargomag.com

U.S. wants to establish Lake Ontario national marine sanctuary in upstate N.Y.

4/11 - Washington, D.C. – The federal government plans to designate the southeast shore of Lake Ontario in upstate New York as a national marine sanctuary, protecting historic shipwrecks and artifacts in an underwater park.

The designation by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration would protect Lake Ontario along the shore of Oswego, Cayuga, Wayne and Jefferson counties. NOAA has established only 14 marine sanctuaries and underwater monuments nationwide, almost all covering ocean areas. The new designation would be the first on Lake Ontario, and potentially the third on the Great Lakes.

The marine sanctuary proposed by the four upstate New York counties was selected out of hundreds nominated nationwide, according to U.S. Rep. John Katko, who represents three of the counties. Katko, R-Camillus, said NOAA informed him that it will formally announce its decision in a notice in the Federal Register later this month.

The notice will set in motion plans for public meetings over 90 days in all four counties, and a series of impact studies, before the designation can take effect. NOAA officials said they could not confirm the decision to move forward with a Lake Ontario marine sanctuary.

Ellen Brody, Great Lakes regional coordinator for NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, said only that action on the Lake Ontario nomination is expected soon.

NOAA has traditionally selected nominations that it knows have public support and will move forward to full designation under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, Katko said.

The federal law allows NOAA to identify, designate and protect areas in the oceans and Great Lakes “with special national significance due to their conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, scientific, cultural, archeological, educational, or aesthetic qualities.”

When officials from the upstate counties nominated Lake Ontario in 2015, the application said it was important to protect the lake’s historic and cultural resources that include shipwrecks, a sunken U.S. Air Force C-45, and marine resources important to Native American communities. Some of the known shipwrecks date to the early 1800s.

The officials said the federal designation would boost tourism along Lake Ontario and provide educational and economic benefits to the region, including new jobs in the tourism industry.

The federal designation would not interfere with existing commercial and recreational activities on the lake, nor impose limits on those who own homes or camps along the shoreline. But the sanctuary would make it a federal crime to disturb submerged artifacts.

The existing national marine sanctuaries includes the site of a single Civil War shipwreck, where the USS Monitor was found at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean off North Carolina, and the breeding grounds for humpback whales in the shallow waters around the Hawaiian Islands. The sanctuaries protect 35 endangered species.

Syracuse.com

In 2015, 18 vessels that had been stuck in 35 square miles of crushed ice up to eight feet thick on Eastern Lake Superior were moving again with the Wednesday arrival of the heavy Canadian icebreaker Pierre Radisson.

11 April 1890 - CHENANGO (wooden propeller passenger-package freight steamer, 176 foot, 696 gross tons, built in 1887, at Detroit, Michigan) was carrying 40,000 bushels of wheat from Toledo, Ohio, to Buffalo, New York, when she caught fire off Erie, Pennsylvania. She was partially consumed by the fire and sank in four fathoms of water with no loss of life. She was later raised at great expense and rebuilt as the steamer LIZZIE MADDEN.

On 11 April 1882, GALATEA (3-mast wooden schooner, 180 foot, 606 gross tons) was launched by F. W. Wheeler (Hull#13) at W. Bay City, Michigan. She lasted until she stranded and broke up at Grand Marais, Michigan, in the "Big Storm" of 1905.

The tanker IMPERIAL ST. CLAIR (Hull#57) of the Port Weller Drydocks Ltd., entered service on April 11, 1974, running light for Montreal, Quebec.

Canada Steamship Lines’ J.W. MC GIFFIN (Hull#197) was christened at Collingwood on April 11, 1972. Port Weller Drydocks attached a new forebody in 1999, and she was renamed b.) CSL NIAGARA.

Pioneer Steamship's steamer PHILIP D. BLOCK sailed on her maiden voyage April 11, 1925, with coal from Huron, Ohio, bound for delivery at Indiana Harbor, Indiana.

Wilkinson Transportation Co.'s steamer A.E. NETTLETON (Hull#176) of the Detroit Ship Building Co., was launched April 11, 1908. She was scrapped at Santander, Spain in 1973.

On April 11, 1970, in Lake Superior's Whitefish Bay, CSL's steamer STADACONA of 1952 encountered thick ice and suffered bow damage. She developed a hairline crack in her bow and to alleviate the leakage her cargo was shifted from her forward hold to her after compartments using her self-unloading equipment. This maneuver raised her bow enough to keep her from sinking before she reached safety.

Pittsburgh Steamship Co.'s steamer ENDERS M. VOORHEES (Hull#288), of the Great Lakes Engineering Works, was launched on April 11, 1942. She was scrapped at Aliaga, Turkey in 1989.

On April 11, 1964, while upbound on Whitefish Bay, Lake Superior, a boiler burst on board the Pittsburgh Steamship Co.'s WILLIAM A. IRVIN, killing one of the crew and injuring two others.

April 11, 1948 - ANN ARBOR NO 7 ran aground just south of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

On 11 April 1874, the new tug E.H. MILLER burned at her dock at Willow Island in the Saginaw River. Her loss was valued at $9,000 and there was no insurance. Although considered to be a total loss, she was rebuilt and lasted another 46 years.

On 11 April 1878, ALASKA, a wooden bulk freighter, was launched at J. P. Clark's yard in Detroit, Michigan. Her dimensions were 180 feet overall, 28 foot beam, and 10 foot depth.

The navigation season at the Canadian Sault Canal was unofficially opened on 11 April 1955, at 7:15 a.m., when the MANZZUTTI (steel crane ship, 246 foot, 1,558 gross tons, built in 1903, at Buffalo, New York as J.S. KEEFE) locked up bound for the Algoma Steel dock. Because the MANZZUTTI wintered over at the Soo, its captain, John B. Perry, was not eligible for the traditional top hat and silk gloves presented to the first captain through the locks. So this was not the official opening of navigation at the Soo. The first boat through the American locks was expected the following day.

1964: NORCO had been used to carry pulpwood from Michipicoten to Green Bay from about 1938 to 1957. The vessel had been built at Ecorse, Michigan, for deep-sea service as INCA in 1915, and returned inland in the 1920s. It went back to the sea in 1959 and stranded at Little Corn Island, Nicaragua, on this date in 1964 while en route from Tampa to Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, with a cargo of phosphate.

1994: AMERICAN MARINER was downbound in the St. Marys River when it struck a rock above the Soo Locks and had to go to the shipyard in Erie to repair the damage.

Data from: Skip Gillham, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, “Ahoy & Farewell II,” the Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Bowling Green State University and the “Great Lakes Ships We Remember” series.

Tanker Algonorth transits Seaway for the first time

4/8 - The tanker Algonorth (IMO 9362152), built in 2008 and recently acquired by the Algoma Central Corp., made its first trip through the St. Lawrence Seaway on Saturday. She is expected to arrive sometime on April 9 in Sarnia.

The ship was built as the Gan Gesture, a name that it held from 2008 to 2009. It never came inland as such. It was renamed Ramira in 2009 and came inland for the first time as such in 2010 and returned for the last time in 2012. The ship was bought by Algoma in late 2018 renamed Algonorth.

This is the second vessel to carry that name. The first, a bulk carrier, was scrapped a few years ago at Sault Ste. Marie, ON.

Denny Dushane

Coast Guard ice breaking planned for west end of the Keweenaw Waterway

4/8 - Sault Ste. Marie, MI – At the request of the National Park Service (NPS), Coast Guard Cutter Alder plans to enter the Keweenaw Waterway from the west on Monday. The objective is to establish a track to facilitate the NPS’ access to Isle Royale. This work will not include a transit through Portage Lake. The Alder plans to terminate this work at the park service’s Houghton facility.

Although this work does not intend to disturb ice along the north and south shorelines, icebreaking activity weakens the ice far beyond the tracks created by the icebreakers. The Coast Guard recommends that members of the public who recreate on the ice, particularly those who fish, or operate snowmobiles or all-terrain vehicles on ice-covered waters of the Keweenaw Waterway, plan their activities carefully, use caution on the ice, and stay away from charted shipping channels.

USCG

Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. As the new season begins, please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
On Sunday in Duluth, Paul R. Tregurtha departed at 03:41 with coal for Silver Bay, and Manitoulin was outbound at 16:26 after loading iron ore pellets at CN. In Superior, James R. Barker spent the day loading at Burlington Northern, and was expected to depart around 21:00 Sunday night. CSL Niagara was on the hook outside the Superior entry waiting her turn to load.

Thunder Bay, ON
Saturday April 6th: 21:26 Saginaw arrived at Superior Elevator to load grain. Sunday April 7th: 0:25 Frontenac arrived and went to anchor southeast of the Welcome Islands. 4:43 Radcliffe R Latimer arrived and went to anchor north of Pie Island. 13:06 Ojibway departed G3 for Windsor. 13:29 USCGC Alder departed Keefer Terminal for ice-breaking operations in Thunder Bay harbor. 13:56 Frontenac weighed anchor and proceeded to G3 to load grain. Expected for Monday is the Spruceglen.

St. Marys River
Moving ice was a problem Sunday in the lower river. Just before noon, the upbound Herbert C. Jackson was caught in plate ice below Neebish Island and touched bottom near the Munuscong Lake Junction Light, suffering an unknown amount of hull damage. She was able to turn around and head back downbound, and Sunday night she was stopped off Drummond Island with the possibility of heading to a lower lakes shipyard, likely Erie, for repairs. Other vessels in the vicinity were directed to go to anchor, so by late evening, Algoma Spirit, tug Sharon M 1, Wilfred Sykes and Cuyahoga were all riding on the hook between Lime Island and DeTour. Downbound Kaye E. Barker and John J. Boland were at the locks.

Cedarville, MI – Denny Dushane
The first vessel scheduled to load at Cedarville for the 2019 season will be the Manitoulin, expected to arrive on Monday in the early evening. The barge Pere Marquette 41 and tug Undaunted are due in on Friday, April 12 in the late evening. Rounding out the schedule is the Wilfred Sykes, due on Saturday, April 13 in the late morning. All times are estimates and can change due to weather and ice conditions.

Northern Lake Huron
Sunday April 7th, Alpena: Samuel De Champlain arrived at 12:13 to load cement products. 17:56 she departed for Milwaukee. Midland: CCGS Pierre Radisson was sailing north on Lake Huron Sunday and is expected to commence ice operations Monday morning to break out Midland harbor.

Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Algoma Innovator was loading salt at Compass Minerals on Sunday.

Sarnia, ON – Denny Dushane
Frontenac departed winter lay up Thursday afternoon. She proceeded down to the Shell Oil Fuel Dock to take on fuel before departing for Thunder Bay to load wheat. This leaves Manitowoc and Robert S. Pierson still in lay up, both in the North Slip. Manitowoc should be departing in the next few days as she has an ETA for Toledo sometime on April 8. Pierson is still having winter work done.

Detroit-Rouge River, MI – Raymond H.
The tanker Iver Bright arrived Sunday morning, calling on the Marathon Asphalt Terminal to load. Next was the tug Albert, docking at Nicholson's Detroit Terminal. Later, the Walter J. McCarthy Jr arrived at Zug Island to unload ore. Clyde S VanEnkevort/Erie Trader and CSL Welland stopped to fuel at the Waterfront Petroleum Terminal.

Toledo, OH – Denny Dushane
Algoma Sault became the first vessel to load grain in Toledo for the 2019 shipping season, arriving on Saturday in the early morning. They were still loading on Sunday morning and will head to Hamilton to unload. Vessels due at the CSX Coal Dock to load are as follows: Algoma Enterprise on Monday in the late morning followed by Manitowoc on Tuesday in the early morning. Also due at CSX to load is the Kaye E. Barker on Tuesday in the late afternoon. At the Torco Dock, the Maumee is due on Friday, April 12 in the early morning followed by the Lee A. Tregurtha also on Friday, April 12 at noon.

Cleveland, OH – Denny Dushane, Bill Kloss
The cement carrier Alpena departed winter lay up late on Saturday evening for their namesake port of Alpena to load cement.

Rochester, NY – Tom
McKeil Spirit was unloading at Lehigh Cement. First load of the season.

Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Sunday April 7 - Barry Andersen

Nanticoke:
arrival - Apr 6 - tug Everlast & Norman McLeod at 1735 - Apr 7 - Rt Hon Paul J Martin at 1950

Welland Canal:
upbound - Apr 6 - John D Leitch at 1941 and Irma (Cyp) at 2216 - Apr 7 - CSL Tadoussac at 0027, Whitefish Bay at 0247, Algoma Enterprise at 0434,

downbound - Apr 6 - Thunder Bay at 1635, Algoma Discovery at 1957 and Algonova at 2012 - Apr 7 - Algoma Transport at 0129, tug Leonard M & Niagara Spirit at 1911(stopped wharf 16)

Welland Canal docks:
docked - Apr 6 - tug Petite Forte & St Marys Cement (stopped wharf 12) - Apr 7 - tug Leonard M & Niagara Spirit (stopped wharf 16 to unload at 1945)

Port Weller anchorage:
anchored - Apr 7 - Algonova at 1050 - departed at 1500 approx. eastbound

Hamilton:
arrival - Apr 6 - Stella Polaris (Nld) at 2141 - Apr 7 - Algoma Discovery at 1120 - docked - Apr 5 - Federal Nakagawa (Mhl) at 1859 - Apr 6 - Algoma Enterprise at 0844 - departed - Apr 7 - Federal Kumano (Mhl) at 0105 eastbound, Algoma Enterprise at 0225 for the canal

Bronte:
arrival - Apr 7 - Tuvaq W (ex San Pietro-18, Bering-13) at 0153 departed (both eastbound - Apr 6 - Sarah Desgagnes at 2251 - Apr 7 - Jana Desgagnes at 0424

Clarkson:
anchored - Apr 7 - Algoma Transport at 2040 - docked Adfines Sea (Mlt) ex Osttank Norway-1) at 0108

Toronto:
arrival - Apr 7 - McKeil Spirit at 0856 - docked - Apr 6 - Cape (Lbr) (ex Heloise-15) at 0432 - departed - Apr 7 - NACC Argonaut at 0743

Oshawa:
docked - Apr 4 - Maria G (Mlt) (ex Gadwall-17) at 0631

08 April 1871, NAVARINO (wooden propeller passenger-package freight steamer, 184 foot, 761 tons, built in 1871, at Manitowoc, Wisconsin) entered service for the Goodrich Transportation Company. She only lasted until 09 October 1871, since she burned in the Great Chicago Fire.

BAY CITY (wooden propeller stem barge, 152 foot, 262 gross tons, built in 1867, at Newport [Marine City], Michigan) had just been rebuilt at Bay City and then refitted at Fitzgerald & Leighton’s yard in Port Huron, Michigan. On 08 April 1871, (some sources give the date as 10 April 1871), on her first trip out from the shipyard, she caught fire and burned to the water line. She was rebuilt again and lasted until 1891, when she burned again.

The sea trials for AMERICAN REPUBLIC were conducted in Green Bay on April 8 thru 10, May 4 thru 11 and 18, 1981.

Interlake Steamship Co.’s steamer J. A. CAMPBELL of 1913, was the first bulk carrier to load taconite pellets that were shipped from Reserve Mining’s Davis Works at Silver Bay, Minn., on April 8, 1956.

In 1957, Great Lakes Steamship stockholders voted to sell the entire 16-ship fleet to four fleets.

In 1977 at Toledo, G.A. TOMLINSON required an estimated $235,000 to outfit her machinery for the upcoming season.

On April 8, 1905, Pittsburgh Steamship Co.’s steamer a.) ELBERT H. GARY (Hull#66) was launched by the Chicago Ship Building Co. Renamed b.) R.E. WEBSTER in 1963, she was scrapped in 1973 at Santander, Spain.

In 1969, LEON FALK JR. entered Duluth harbor to become the first vessel to arrive from the lower lake region opening the 1969, shipping season at the head of the lakes. She loaded almost 20,700 tons of iron ore bound for Great Lakes Steel’s Zug Island in Detroit.

April 8, 1998 - An unidentified worker was injured in a fall aboard the CITY OF MIDLAND 41, while it was being converted to a barge in Muskegon.

April 8, 1871, was a bad day on the St. Clair River. The schooner A MOSHER had favorable winds, so the captain decided to save the cost of a tow and sail up the St. Clair River without assistance from a tug. In the strong current at Port Huron, the vessel hit some old dock timbers, went out of control and collided with the down bound 3-masted schooner H.C. POST. The POST's main and fore masts were carried away in the collision. After some vehement arguing, the MOSHER sailed on while the POST anchored in mid-river while her skipper went ashore. The schooner JESSE ANDERSON then sailed out of the Black River and rammed right into the side of the POST. This finished the wrecking of the POST's aft mast. The ANDERSON went out of control and went aground on the riverbank. The tug GEORGE H. PARKER tried to assist the ANDERSON, but she also got stuck on the mud bank. It was several hours before everything got cleaned up and river traffic was back to normal.

The steam ferry JULIA, owned by C. Mc Elroy of St. Clair, Michigan, started running between St. Clair and Courtright, Ontario on 8 April 1878. She was formerly named U S SURVEYOR. Before JULIA took over this service, the ferries R.F. CHILDS and MARY MILLS served in this capacity.

The steamer f.) MANCOX (steel propeller crane freighter, 255 foot, 1,614 gross tons, built in 1903, at Superior, Wisconsin, as a.) H.G. DALTON) of Yankcanuck Steamship Lines was first through the Soo Locks for the 1958, season at 7:05 a.m. on 8 April 1958. In locking through the Canadian lock, the MANCOX became the first ship to come through the new lock gates, which were installed during the winter months. The American Soo Locks had been ready for traffic since March 26, but the Canadian lock had the first ship.

1941: The newly-built PRINS WILLEM II first came to the Great Lakes in May 1939. There was a mutiny on board at Sandusky, Ohio, in June 1940, as the crew did not want to return to their now-occupied homeland. The ship was torpedoed off Cape Farewell, Greenland, on April 8, 1941, while travelling from Halifax to London. An estimated 10-12 members of the crew perished.

1942: The first NOVADOC was sailing as g) ARA when it hit a mine and sank off Borkum, Germany, while en route from Gothenburg, Sweden, to Rotterdam, Holland in 1942. The ship had been built as CANADIAN PATHFINDER and was listed as Hull 69 of the Collingwood shipyard. It had also sailed the Great Lakes as b) NORMAN M. PATERSON and c) NOVADOC (i) before being sold to British interests in 1927.

1982: The Canadian-owned QUEBEC came through the Seaway in 1969. It had been built in 1959 as ALICE BOWATER but never came inland under that name. It was sailing as d) BLUE SEA when there was an engine room explosion and fire on April 8, 1982, in the Mediterranean near the Kerkennah Islands in the Gulf of Gabes off Tunisia. The gutted hull was towed to Sfax, Tunisia, on April 12. It was sold for scrap and arrived at Bizerta, Tunisia, for dismantling on July 7, 1984.

2001: The CHERYL C., the fifth name for the ship, was carrying a cargo of steel when it sank on April 8, 2001. The vessel ran aground near Peniche, Portugal, north of Lisbon, due to a navigational error. The 1597 gross ton ship had been built in 1983 and came through the Seaway, under Barbados registry, for the first time on April 22, 1998, with clay for Ashtabula. It made its last inland voyage in November 1999.

Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II, the Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Bowling Green State University, and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series.

Icebreaker Pierre Radisson taking a shot at Midland harbor Monday

4/7 - Midland, ON – The Canadian Coast Guard will be taking another crack at trying to break up ice in the Midland harbor on Monday.

After several failed attempts by both the Canadian and United States coast guards, the Pierre Radisson icebreaker has been tasked with the icebreaking mission.

The Radisson is the Canadian Coast Guard’s lead icebreaker. It is stationed in Quebec City at the mouth of the St. Lawrence. The ship has been making its way down to Midland to free the vessel Baie Comeau, which has been stuck in Midland since dropping off cargo in January.

“Canada Steamship Lines has never been stuck in Midland for this long. Both Canadian and US coast guards have done their best to free the vessel earlier, although they were not successful. We commend their efforts, but they need more assets,” said Brigette Hébert, director of communications for Canada Steamship Lines.

Simcoe.com

Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. As the new season begins, please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Paul R. Tregurtha arrived Duluth at 15:50 Saturday afternoon to load coal at Midwest Energy. Manitoulin was inbound around the same time, and moored at Husky Energy to wait for her turn at Canadian National, where Oakglen was loading. Oakglen left the dock at 18:30, and departed shortly thereafter for Quebec City. The Tregurtha and Manitoulin are both expected to depart Sunday morning. In Superior, James R. Barker was due just before midnight Saturday to load iron ore pellets at Burlington Northern.

Thunder Bay, ON
Saturday April 6th: 9:32 Atlantic Huron departed Thunder Bay Terminals for Sydney, Nova Scotia. 10:16 USCGC Alder departed Keefer Terminal for ice-breaking operations in Thunder Bay harbor. 12:38 Ojibway arrived at G3 to load grain. 17:20 USCGC Alder returned to Keefer Terminal. Expected late Saturday: Saginaw and Frontenac. Expected for Sunday: Radcliffe R Latimer.

Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Algoma Compass cleared upbound with salt Saturday. Algoma Innovator will be the next to load.

Detroit River – Raymond H
Herbert C Jackson arrived early Saturday morning with a load of ore for AK Steel. Next up was the Calusa Coast and her tank barge Delaware, calling on the Marathon Asphalt Terminal to load. The upbound Cuyahoga stopped to fuel at the Waterfront Petroleum Terminal.

Cleveland, OH – Bill Kloss
H. Lee White arrived in Cleveland today and lightered at the Bulk Terminal then proceed up the Cuyahoga to offer load the remainder of her cargo at Arcelor Mittal Steel. Sam Laud remains on the shuttles.

Ashtabula, OH – Dan McNeil
Cuyahoga departed her winter layup birth in Ashtabula just after midnight Saturday April 6. As of this report at 20:00 it is not known where she is going for her first load of her new season. She was located just above Port Huron entering Lake Huron heading northbound.

Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Saturday April 6 – Barry Andersen

Nanticoke:
arrival - Apr 5 - Rt Hon Paul J Martin at 0103 - departed Apr 6 at 0016 westbound

Welland Canal:
upbound - Apr 5 - Algoma Spirit 1416, (not Algoma Sault), CSL Laurentien at 2306 - Apr 6 - Algoma Innovator (departed wharf 12), tug Petite Forte & barge St Marys Cement at 0714 (stopped at wharf 13), Iver Bright (Nld) at 1754, CCGS Griffon at 0059 for the upper lakes, CSL Assiniboine at 0635, Argentia Desgagnes at 0755, John D Leitch at 1941 and Irma (Cyp) eta 2155

downbound - Apr 5 - light tug Jarrett M at 1938 (stopped West Street for fuel then continued) - Apr 6 - Algoma Enterprise at 1949, CCGS Limnos at 1621 after replacing lighted aids along the canal waterway), Thunder Bay at 1635, Algoma Discovery at 1957 and Algonova at 2012

Welland Canal docks:
docked - Apr 6 - tug Petite Forte & barge St Marys Cement (stopped wharf 13) and (Algoma Innovator departed wharf 12)

Port Weller anchorage:
anchored - Adfines Sea (Mlt) (ex Osttank Norway-12) - departed anchorage at 2300 approx

Hamilton:
arrival - Apr 5 - CSL Assiniboine at 0906 and Federal Nakagawa (Mhl) at 1859 - docked - Apr 2 - Federal Kumano (Mhl) at 0916 departed (for the canal) - Apr 5 - Algoma Spirit at 1202 - Apr 6 - CSL Assiniboine at 0349

Bronte:
arrival - Apr 5 - Jana Desgagnes at 2342 - anchored off Bronte - Apr 5 - Sarah Desgagnes at 0727- Apr 6 - departed 0635 eastbound

Toronto:
arrival - Apr 6 - NACC Argonaut at 0241 and Cape (Lbr) (ex Heloise-15) at 0432

Oshawa:
docked - Apr 4 - Maria G (Mlt) (ex Gadwall-17) at 0631

On April 7, 1997, LEE A. TREGURTHA suffered an 18-foot hull fracture in her port bow near the bowthruster tunnel while downbound in the upper St. Marys River due to heavy ice. She proceeded to the De Tour Coal Dock, where repairs were made overnight and she continued on her trip on April 8, 1997.

On 07 April 1906, the Goodrich Transportation Company, which was incorporated under the laws of the State of Wisconsin in 1868, was dissolved and a new company, the Goodrich Transit Company, was incorporated under the laws of the state of Maine. This was just for financial reasons, and other than the name and the port of registry of the vessels, everything else remained the same. The vessels in the company at the time were CHICAGO, CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, CITY OF RACINE, GEORGIA, INDIANA, IOWA, SHEBOYGAN, VIRGINIA, and tug ARCTIC.

Upper Lakes Shipping Ltd.'s new CANADIAN TRANSPORT was christened April 7, 1979.

The tanker ROBERT W. STEWART, b.) AMOCO MICHIGAN was delivered to Standard Oil Co. on April 7, 1928, as the second largest tanker in service at the time of her launch.

JAMES LAUGHLIN (Hull#16) of the Great Lakes Engineering Works was launched April 7, 1906, for the Interstate Steamship Co., Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp. Later renamed b.) HELEN EVANS, she was scrapped at Cartagena, Columbia, in 1983.

The EMORY L. FORD was sold on April 7, 1965, to the Reiss Steamship Co., and renamed b) RAYMOND H. REISS, the last vessel purchased by Reiss.

TEXACO BRAVE of 1929 arrived at Ramey's Bend from Toronto on April 7, 1975, in tow of tugs G. W. ROGERS and BAGOTVILLE for scrapping.

In 1974, the Pittsburgh Steamship Co.'s steamer THOMAS W. LAMONT loaded the initial shipment of ore for the season at the D.M. & I.R. ore docks in Duluth.

On 7 April 1871, the tug S.V.R. WATSON was towing the schooner S.G. SIMMONS out of Chicago harbor at noon when the WATSON stalled. The schooner plowed into her broadside, causing the tug to tip on her beam ends, take on water and sink. Four men were trapped below decks and drowned; two survived. The WATSON was later raised and returned to service.

On 7 April 1873, the contract for the building of a new carferry, MICHIGAN, for the Great Western Railway was awarded to the Jenkins Brothers of Windsor, Ontario. The new vessel was planned for service on the Detroit River. Her engines were built at Montreal by Canada Engine Works for a cost of $100,000. The hull alone cost $600,000.

Although the locks are not scheduled to open until Thursday, 12 April 1962, the Canadian Sault harbor was officially opened Saturday, 7 April 1962, when the tanker IMPERIAL LONDON pulled into the Imperial dock between the two hospitals. Captain Russell Knight accepted the traditional silk top hat. The IMPERIAL LONDON, carrying almost 1,000,000 gallons of gasoline, led the IMPERIAL SIMCOE, loaded with 19,000 barrels of fuel oil for household heating, up the St. Marys River to the Sault.

1941: The PORTADOC had been requisitioned by the British Ministry of War Transport and was en route from Saint John, NB, to Sierra Leone with a cargo of coal when it was torpedoed by U-124 off the coast of Africa. The crew spent six days on the open sea before landing at French Guinea. They were taken prisoner by the Vichy French forces and the Chief Engineer died before there was a prisoner of war exchange. The vessel, part of the Paterson fleet, had also sailed on the Great Lakes as a) EUGENE C. ROBERTS and b) JAMES B. FOOTE.

1968: CAPTAIN LEONIDIS ran aground in the Messier Channel, Chile, while travelling from Santos, Brazil, to Valparaiso, Chile. The vessel stranded April 7, 1968, and became a total loss. It had first come to the Great Lakes as the Norwegian freighter d) FANA in 1964 and returned as e) CAPTAIN LEONIDIS in 1966. The hull remains aground and appears to have been used by the Chilean Navy for target practice.

1979: GEHEIMRAT SARTORI dated from 1951 and had been a pre-Seaway caller to the Great Lakes. It returned through the new waterway for three trips in 1959 and was sailing as c) SEA ROVER when it was lost on this date in 1979. The cargo shifted in heavy weather on the Mediterranean while the ship was en route from Civitavecchia, Italy, to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It sank about eight miles off Punta Cornacchia.

Data from: Skip Gillham Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, “Ahoy & Farewell II” and the “Great Lakes Ships We Remember” series.

Labor shortage: One in five Canadian seafarers set to retire in the next five years

4/6 - St. Catharines, Ont. – With one in five seafarers set to retire in the next five years, Canada's shipping industry could face some choppy waters, says an official with Seafarers International Union.

The union is looking for hundreds of skilled workers to help overcome a labor shortage, says Vince Giannopoulos, seafarers union's recruitment campaign spokesperson. "When you look at the median age in the industry, it is getting older," says Giannopoulos. "People are retiring faster than others are joining.

"At first glance, it's a negative, but the way I see it, there was a big hiring boom years ago. The guys who were hired stuck around. Now they are all retiring at once. It's a very stable career. We are trying to get ahead of the curve."

The seafarers union represents the majority of unlicensed sailors working aboard vessels on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River as well as the East and West coasts of Canada.

Skilled workers with trades or marine experience have transferable skills needed on board merchant vessels by companies such as and can work for companies such as Algoma Central, which is headquartered in St. Catharines, and Canada Steamship Lines, Giannopoulos says.

"Canada's marine economy is thriving, and more demand for seafarers means skilled workers can earn great pay and benefits in a long and stable career they can be proud of," he says.

Last June, the seafarer's union partnered with the Seafarers' Training Institute to launch a national hiring initiative aimed at recruiting, training and retaining young people.

Giannopoulos grew up in Port Colborne watching ships pass through the canal. He started sailing in 2011 and shipped out of Thorold.

Niagara has played an important role in Great Lakes shipping for centuries. At the dawn of the 19th century, merchants moved goods on a portage around the falls from Queenston to Chippawa. With the completion and expansion of the Welland Canal, the focal point changed to Port Colborne and St. Catharines. Louis Shickluna ran a shipyard that built hundreds of ships over a 40-year period in the mid-1800s at shipyards along the canal. Today, St. Catharines is home to Algoma Central, which owns and operates the largest fleet of carriers on the Great Lakes and has more than 1,400 employees.

"Transportation is such as important part of the economy," Giannopoulos says. "So much comes from ships, whether it is bottles of wine or furniture or cars or salt for the ice on the roads. We are proud of the job we do.

"The money is good. Even if you do it for five or 10 years, who have some cash you can invest in yourself, whether it is going back to school or getting some more training."

Giannopoulos says pay varies with the position. Someone working on a tugboat going home every night is going to make less than a guy going away for three months. "The lowest position would be a deckhand at $23 or $24 an hour. Chief cooks are upwards of $31 an hour."

The union has a website, www.seafarers.ca/careers, with career information.

The St. Catharines Standard

Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. As the new season begins, please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Oakglen arrived Duluth at 15:58 on Friday afternoon to load ore at Canadian National. Manitoulin and Paul R. Tregurtha are both due on Saturday, however they will likely be delayed by ice conditions on eastern Lake Superior. The only traffic through the Superior entry on Friday was the departure of Stewart J. Cort at 05:50 after she loaded iron ore pellets at BN.

Two Harbors-Silver Bay – Gary A Putney
Edwin H. Gott arrived Two Harbors at 09:36 for South of #2. As of 19:10 on the 5th she was still at the loading dock. Tentatively due Two Harbors on April 6th are the Edgar B. Speer and the Presque Isle. Arrivals will be dependent on wind/ice conditions. When the McCarthy Jr. departed Two Harbors on April 4th she had no updated AIS but she is heading for Zug Island. Arriving Northshore Mining in Silver Bay on April 5th at 06:24 was the Lee A. Tregurtha. She then departed on the 5th at 14:05 for Cleveland. Due Silver Bay on April 6th is the John J. Boland.

Thunder Bay, ON
Friday April 5th: 9:25 Atlantic Huron arrived at Thunder Bay Terminals to load. 9:40 USCGC Alder arrived for ice-breaking operations in Thunder Bay harbor. Expected for Saturday: Ojibway and Frontenac.

St. Marys River – Joy Fett
There is still a lot of ice in the river above the locks. With strong NW winds, all this is being pushed backed into the already cut shipping lanes done by the USCG icebreakers Mackinaw and Hollyhock. The weekend forecast has light to moderate easterly winds in it along with some warmer temperatures so that should east the tough ice conditions both in Whitefish Bay and eastern Lake Erie.

Green Bay, WI
Friday morning the tug Samuel de Champlain and barge Innovation arrived with cement to Lafarge dock. Then the tug Michigan barge Great Lakes arrived with oil to the U.S. Venture dock.

Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Algoma Niagara cleared with for Milwaukee on Friday. Algoma Compass was next in to the dock.

Rochester, NY – Tom Brewer
McKeil Spirit departed Friday, April 5 at 9 a.m. for Picton, ON.

Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Friday April 5 – Barry Andersen

Nanticoke:
arrival - Rt Hon Paul J Martin at 0103

Welland Canal:
upbound - Apr 4 - Algoma Sault at 1416, CCGS Limnos at 1858 (stopped wharf 1) and Algoma Guardian at 2045 - Apr 5 - Algoma Innovator at 0450, tug Petite Forte & barge St Marys Cement at 0714 (stopped at wharf 2), CCGS AMUNDSEN at 0904, Algoma Spirit at 1404, Iver Bright (Nld) at 1754, CCGS Limnos at 1858 (stopped wharf 6 overnight - replacing winter markers with lighted buoys along the waterway) and CSL Laurentien eta 2310

downbound - Apr 4 - Damia Desgagnes at 1025, CSL Assiniboine at 1118, Tecumseh at 1058, Whitefish Bay at 1141, Algoma Equinox at 1623 and G3 Marquis at 1741, tug Sea Eagle II & barge St Marys Cement II at 0629 (departed wharf 16), John D Leitch at 1214, light tug Jarrett M at 1938 (stopped West Street in Port Colborne) and Algoma Enterprise at 1949

Welland Canal docks:
docked - Apr 5 - tug Petite Forte & barge St Marys Cement (stopped wharf 2) and (Algoma Innovator stopped at wharf 12)

Hamilton:
arrival - Apr 4 - Algoma Spirit eta 2125 - Apr 5 - CSL Assiniboine at 0906 and Federal Nakagawa (Mhl) at 1859 - docked - Apr 2 - Federal Kumano (Mhl) at 0916 departed - Apr 5 - Algoma Spirit at 1202 for the canal

Bronte:
departed dock - Apr 5 - Sarah Desgagnes at 0715 - anchored off the dock at 0727

Toronto:
docked - Apr 4 - Algoma Innovator at 1458 - departed Apr 5 - at 0313 for the canal

Oshawa:
docked - Apr 4 - Maria G (Mlt) (ex Gadwall-17) at 0631

Here's the lineup of tall ships setting sail for Green Bay in July

4/6 - Green Bay, WI – Eight of the nine stars have been announced for Nicolet Bank Tall Ships July 26 to 28 in Green Bay.

The following historic vessels, along with the World's Largest Rubber Duck, will be part of the festival:

Pride of Baltimore II: A sailing memorial to the Pride of Baltimore, which sunk just north of Puerto Rico in May 1986. It has sailed to more than 250,000 nautical miles to 40 countries and 200 different ports.

U.S. Brig Niagara: A replica of the relief flagship of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry. It is the third reconstruction of the original vessel. It launched in 1988 to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie.

Santa María: A replica of the Spanish ships that traveled across the Atlantic Ocean in the 15th and 16th centuries. The 200-ton, three mast ship is built of iroko and pine wood.

Utopia: The 77-foot staysail schooner made its maiden sea voyage in 1947 when it cruised the North Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea and Caribbean Islands. It has logged more than 60,000 miles.

Picton Castle Picton Castle: The three-masted tall ship is known for its sail training voyages around the world. It has visited the Great Lakes twice, sailed numerous times on tours of the East Coast of the Americas and, in 2008, sailed to Europe, Africa and the Caribbean on a voyage of the Atlantic.

Inland Seas: The schooner is used to give students hands-on education into the basic ecology of the Great Lakes and assist volunteer instructors with the collection and analysis of Great Lakes samples.

Appledore IV: The schooner is operated by nonprofit BaySail to foster environmental stewardship of the Saginaw Bay watershed and the Great Lakes ecosystem.

Bluenose II: A replica of the original Bluenose schooner that was launched in 1921 and raced undefeated in international competition for 17 years. The World's Largest Rubber Duck, known as Mama, will be part of Nicolet Bank Tall Ships this summer in Green Bay.

The World's Largest Rubber Duck, known as Mama, will be part of Nicolet Bank Tall Ships this summer in Green Bay.

Tall Ships will also include food vendors, a maritime marketplace, a children's area and entertainment and education stages by the Port of Green Bay. There will be fireworks on July 26. After the three-day event in Green Bay, there will be a sail through Sturgeon Bay on July 29 and a sail past Algoma on July 30.

Tickets are on sale at tallshipswisconsin.com. General admission to the festival is $15 adults, $10 ages 5-12, $13 veterans, active military and seniors ages 62 and older and free ages 4 and younger. Family Day is July 28, with $5 admission for ages 5-12. Cost for sail excursions varies. More info at tallshipswisconsin.com.

The Tall Ships festival was last in Green Bay in 2016 and was estimated to have a $4.4 million economic impact in Brown County.

Green Bay Press Gazette

The a.) LOUIS R. DAVIDSON (Hull#95) of the Great Lakes Engineering Works was launched April 6, 1912, for the American Steamship Co. Later renamed b.) DIAMOND ALKALI in 1932, c.) DOW CHEMICAL in 1939 and d.) FERNDALE in 1963. She was scrapped at Castellon, Spain in 1979.

April 6, 1931 - The CITY OF FLINT 32 set a world record sailing 101,000 miles in her first year of service.

On 6 April 1872, the schooner I.N. FOSTER was launched from the Fitzgerald & Leighton yard at Port Huron, Michigan. She was classified as a "full-sized canaller" since she was as large as a vessel could be to pass through the Welland Canal. Her dimensions were 143 foot overall, 26 foot inch beam, 11 foot 6 inch depth, 437 tons.

1942: The CANADIAN FARMER was Hull 65 of the Collingwood shipyard and it was launched there on December 27, 1919. The vessel was sailing as c) SHIN KUANG when it was sunk by Japanese surface naval forces on the Bay of Bengal.

1949: FORT WILLDOC of the Paterson fleet and the JAMES E. McALPINE of the Brown Steamship Co. collided in Lake Superior, above Whitefish Point, on this date. Both ships were damaged and needed repairs.

1972: The freighter STAR OF REWIAH had been built at Collingwood as Hull 105 and launched as the corvette H.M.S. COMFREY on July 28, 1942. The ship was later converted to a cargo carrier and was sailing under this sixth name when it ran aground off the Ashrafi Lighthouse in the Gulf of Suez and declared a total loss on this date in 1972. It was traveling in ballast from Suez, Egypt, to Safaga, Egypt, at the time.

1978: The self-unloader TARANTAU was blown aground due to the wind and shifting ice pack in Lake Huron above Port Huron and had to be freed by the tug BARBARA ANN.

1979: A violent spring storm found LABRADOC (ii) on Lake Erie where the cargo shifted and the vessel took on a precarious list. All on board were removed fearing the ship would roll over and sink. But it survived and was towed to safety eventually undergoing repairs at Port Weller Dry Docks. The vessel left Great Lakes service in 1988 and operated on deep sea runs as b) FALCON CREST until scrapping at Gadani Beach, Pakistan, in 1994.

1992: An explosion and fire in the tunnel of HALIFAX occurred while the CSL ship was upbound in the St. Marys River. One sailor was killed and two more injured while the ship sustained internal damage. It went to Thunder Bay for repairs.

Data from: Skip Gillham, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, “Ahoy & Farewell II,” the Father Dowling Collection, the Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Bowling Green State University, and the “Great Lakes Ships We Remember” series. This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history.

Ice, wind stalls Soo ship traffic on Wednesday

4/4 - On Wednesday afternoon, northwesterly gale-force winds created hazardous ice conditions in Whitefish Bay and the upper St Marys River, which caused the U.S. Coast Guard to close the waterway until conditions improve. Approaching down bound traffic from Lake Superior was asked to remain in the ice at the north entrance to Whitefish Bay until called to move. Winds were expected to subside in the early morning, after which the Coast Guard needed 3-4 hours to reset tracks before vessels can move. Upbound vessels were asked to anchor in the lower river until called to move. Current order of procession appears next to each vessel’s name.

Atlantic Huron and Edwin H Gott were all stopped at the locks Wednesday evening. Lee A. Tregurtha and Oakglen, both upbound, were hove to in the ice at the northern ice edge, waiting for the gales to subside.

CGC Mackinaw and Hollyhock were underway for Whitefish Bay track maintenance and vessel assistance. CGC Katmai Bay will work lower St. Marys River for track maintenance and vessel assistance.

Goderich welcomes first ship into port in 2019

4/4 - The Town of Goderich has welcomed its first ship for the season. Algoma Niagara pulled into harbor around 2:50 a.m. Tuesday, with town hall officials welcoming Capt. Chesley Thorne for the ritual "Top Hat" ceremony at 8 a.m.

Since 1932, it has become custom for town hall to offer breakfast to the first ship's captain, and have them sign a ceremonial top hat. Chesley says he has been in-and-out of the Port of Goderich for 40 years. Originally from Newfoundland, Chesley is nearing the end of a 45-day stretch on the Great Lakes.

CSL vessel hits ships arrestor at Iroquois Lock

4/4 - CSL Laurentien hit and damaged upstream arrested barrier at Iroquios lock Wednesday afternoon. Shipping was expected to be delayed at least 12 hours.

Mike Doyle

Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. As the new season begins, please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).

Duluth - Superior – Daniel Lindner
The only traffic through the Duluth entry on Wednesday was Manitoulin, which departed at 00:40 with a load of iron ore pellets from CN. In Superior, American Mariner arrived at 05:53 to load ore at Burlington Northern, and was expected to depart at some point Wednesday night. American Spirit was on the hook off the Superior entry, and was listed as loading at BN after the Mariner, however her AIS destination showed her loading in Two Harbors. Stewart J. Cort was expected late Wednesday night, however she will likely anchor to wait her turn to load after the Spirit.

Two Harbors - Silver Bay – Gary A Putney
Algoma Discovery departed Two Harbors on April 3rd at 07:21 with an assist from the Nels J. Due Two Harbors on April 4th is the Walter J. McCarthy Jr. The American Spirit had originally been scheduled to load in Two Harbors, but is currently anchored off Duluth awaiting BNSF #5. Due Two Harbors, but with no ETAs are the Oakglen and the Edwin H. Gott, both stopped at the Soo because of NW gales and ice conditions. Arriving Northshore Mining in Silver Bay on April 3rd at 08:49 was the Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader. She departed on the 3rd at 16:54 for Cleveland. Due Silver Bay, but with no ETA is the Lee A. Tregurtha that was been stopped in Whitefish for 2 days awaiting gales and ice. Note: As of 19:00 on the 3rd the Algoma Discovery has no updated AIS.

Thunder Bay, Ont.
Wednesday April 3rd: There were no ship movements at the port for a second consecutive day. Expected for Thursday: Atlantic Huron.

Sturgeon Bay, Wis.
Wilfred Sykes arrived at Bay Ship Wednesday morning for unspecified mechanical repairs. Roger Blough, John G. Munson and American Courage remain in winter lay up but are expected to sail soon. Burns Harbor is also at the shipyard undergoing repairs.

Manitowoc, WI – Korey Garceau
On Tuesday, the Undaunted and her barge Pere Marquette 41 arrived Manitowoc to load stone bound for Ludington, MI. The ATB combo departed in the evening.

Detroit - Rouge River, MI – Raymond H.
Algoma Niagara arrived Wednesday morning, calling on the Motor City Materials dock to unload salt. The Paul R Tregurtha stopped for fuel at the Waterfront Petroleum Terminal.

Erie, PA – Jeff Benson, Denny Dushane
Presque Isle departed Erie to Two Harbors on Wednesday. Michipicoten has been floated in the dry dock and the gate is open and there was lots of activity around her. Mesabi Miner is also in port for repairs. The tug Olive L. Moore recently arrived at Donjon Shipbuilding & Repair Drydock for a five-year survey and inspection.

Rochester, N.Y. – Tom Brewer
The McKeil Spirit arrived Wednesday morning with bulk cement for Lehigh.

Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report for Wednesday April 3 – Barry Andersen Ice blew back in to block track Wednesday morning off Port Colborne and halted a number of vessels in the ice and sent others to anchor off Port Dover.

Nanticoke:
docked - Mar 29 - Algosea at 1111 - Apr 2 - Algoma Hansa at 2325 - arrival - Apr 3 - CSL Niagara at 0742 - departure - Apr 3 - CSL Niagara at 1845 westbound

Long Point bay anchorage:
anchored - Apr 3 - Algoma Harvester at 1107, Algoma Spirit at 1140, CSL Assiniboine at 1806, Damia Desgagnes at 2135

Port Colborne anchorage:
anchored - Apr 2 - CSL Tadoussac at 2135 (stopped wharf 12) - Apr 3 - Algoma Strongfield at 0100, Algoma Guardian at 0111, Algoma Innovator at 0559, tug Sea Eagle II & barge St Marys Cement II at 0849 - departed - Apr 3 - CSL Tadoussac at 0710, Algoma Guardian at 1025

Welland Canal:
upbound - Apr 2 - Radcliffe R. Latimer at 1827 (stopped wharf-16 and Algoma Transport at 2103 (stopped wharf 16), Algoma Compass at 1428 (stopped at wharf 12)

downbound - Apr 2 - Algocanada at 1026 - Apr 3 - CSL Tadoussac at 0745 (stopped wharf-16) - Apr 3 - Algoma Guardian at 1050,

Hamilton:
arrival Apr 3 Algoma Sault at 0018 - docked - Apr 2 - Federal Kumano (Mhl) at 0916 - departure - Apr 3 - Algoma Compass at 1204 for the canal

Grand Haven shipping season opens with arrival of PM41

4/4 - Grand Haven, MI – Grand Haven’s 2019-20 shipping season began last week with the arrival of the articulated tug/barge Undaunted/Pere Marquette 41.

The pair arrived in port after dark last Thursday with a load of slag for the Verplank dock in Ferrysburg. By Friday morning, they were heading back out to Lake Michigan and their next port of call.

The Pere Marquette 41 was built in 1941 as the car ferry City of Midland 41. It sailed between Michigan and Wisconsin with passengers and freight cars for the Pere Marquette and C&O railroads.

It was idled in Ludington from 1988-97 as the need for ferries on the lakes declined. It was towed to Muskegon, where its deck cabins and steam engines were removed. It was then taken to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, where a notch for a tug was installed.

The 41 part of the name was retained, but it was renamed Pere Marquette for its original owner, the Pere Marquette Railroad. It currently measures 403 feet long; 58 feet wide; and 23 feet, 6 inches deep. It is equipped with a bow thruster.

The tug Undaunted was built in 1944. It is diesel powered and 142 feet long, 33 feet wide and 18 feet deep. With the tug in the notch, these two vessels measure 493 feet, 6 inches in length.

The vessels are owned and operated by Pere Marquette Shipping of Ludington, where the pair spent their winter slumber.

After several months of inactivity, it is nice to see crews report back for spring fit-out and vessels depart from their layup berths.

The first sign of spring, at least for me, is the opening of the Soo Locks. I was at the Soo last Monday to see Interlake Steamship Co.’s motor vessel Stewart J. Cort lock through as the first commercial passage of the season. The Welland Canal and St. Lawrence Seaway have recently opened to commercial traffic, as well. Ice is always a factor this early in the season. The Straits of Mackinac and St. Marys River, as well as the eastern end of Lake Erie, have been the most difficult areas to navigate. Ice breakers from the United States and Canada have been working to assist vessels through the ice.

There are no vessels scheduled for our port in the near future, but that may change. You can use marinetraffic.com to track vessels that may be coming to Grand Haven.

By Sam Hankinson – Grand Haven Tribune

Repair work Toledo Shipyard generates dozens of jobs and millions in revenue

4/4 - Toledo, Ohio – The Port of Toledo helps provide a living for thousands of people in our area. Hundreds of ships sail in and out of here every year loaded with everything from iron ore to grain. But it's not just the cargo that's paying big dividends for the region. It's also the work being done to keep those ships out on the water.

The Toledo Shipyard has been part of the local landscape for more than 150 years. During the off-season freighters, barges, tankers and tugs come to the Ironhead dry dock for repair work. It creates dozens of jobs and generates millions in revenue.

While you've probably seen freighters and other boats navigating the Maumee River, this is a vantage point you don't often see. It's the bottom of the dry dock. Crews have been working on the Algoscotia for weeks.

Tony LaMantia says the ship's massive propeller helps put it all in perspective, "The blades alone are about 7 feet tall and the hubs are about 5 feet thick, so it's 18-20 feet for the total pitch."

The Algoscotia is a 480-foot Canadian tanker, "We set concrete blocks in the dry dock to the contour of the hull. The keel of this vessel carries most of the weight, so that's where most of the block and cribbing are positioned."

Ironhead is one of only a handful of dry docks around the Great Lakes, and this has been a good year. LaMantia says the Algoscotia is one of more than a half dozen boats that have been here in the off season for repair work. "We have boats that come in from from both Canadian and American fleets."

Of course the river and Lake Erie are among the reasons Toledo was originally settled. Joe Cappel is the Vice President of Business Development for the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. He says work at the Toledo Shipyard started with paddle boats in the early 1800s, "The shipyard has been here since 1828. We've been building ships and repairing ships for a long time. We have a rich history of that here in Toledo."

Boats have been providing jobs here for generations. Cappel says about seven thousand jobs in our region are connected to the Port of Toledo, "That equals about one billion dollars in economic impact for the region."

LaMantia says this work provides all kinds of jobs, "We employ union boilermakers and union machinists and various subcontractors like electricians and painters." Just to give you an idea of the scope of this work, LaMantia says repairs on vessels like the Algoscotia often add up to millions of dollars, "These projects are typically $1.5 Million up to several million dollars. We do handle some smaller jobs for a few hundred thousand. It's all done in a compressed time frame too, so the work is done in a 3-4 week time frame at most."

Once the repair work in the dry dock is done, what's called the flooding process begins. Our cameras captured it from the ground and the air Tuesday afternoon. As you can see the barrier that kept water out of the dry dock for weeks, gradually releases water back into the dock and the boat is once again floating.

LaMantia says it's a lengthy process, "It's a 4-10 hour process to flood the dock, ballast the vessel and open the gate. Then we pull the vessel back out with a couple of tugs." Just one more way the river that runs thorough our city is providing a living for so many.

Once that's finished, the tanker will be tied to a dock at the shipyard for a few days while testing is finished. From there, the ship and her crew will begin the 2019 sailing season.

Video a video of the flooding process here: https://www.13abc.com/content/news/Toledo-Shipyard-repair-work-generating-dozens-of-jobs-and-million-in-revenue--508022171.html

Arthur M. Anderson Moved to Fraser Shipyard

4/4 - T On April 2 Arthur M. Anderson made the move from the east side of Duluth CN Dock 6 where she had been in layup, over to Fraser Shipyards in Superior, Wis.   Ed Labernik

Prior to April 2 the Arthur M. Anderson layed-up on the east side of CN Duluth Dock 6.	Heritage Marine tug Helen H. tows the Anderson under the Blatnik Interstate High Bridge into Howard's Pocket of Fraser Shipyards.	Closeup of Helen H. and the Anderson.
The tug Edward H. at the stern of the Anderson to guide it into Fraser.	With the Helen H. at the bow and the Edward H. at the stern, the Anderson reaches Fraser Shipyards.	Migrating Canada geese watch as the Helen H. pushes at the stern hull area of the Anderson.
The tug Edward H. about to join the Helen H. to push the Anderson against the dock.	Both the Helen H. and the Edward H. maneuver the Arthur M. Anderson against the dock in Fraser Shipyards.	The Tim S. Dool in drydock, early morning in Fraser Shipyards.

04 April 1903: The first steamer to pass upbound through the Straits of Mackinac was the LUZON (steel propeller bulk freighter, 353 foot 3,582 gross tons, built in 1902 at Chicago, Illinois). She was heavily coated with ice, even to the top of the pilothouse due to fighting a gale on Lake Huron.

On 04 April 1908, ALEXIS W. THOMPSON (steel propeller bulk freighter, 504 foot, 6,437 gross tons) was launched by West Bay City Shipbuilding Co. (Hull #625) at W. Bay City, Michigan for Valley Steamship Co. (W.H. Becker, Mgr.). She lasted until 1962, when she was towed to Hamilton, Ontario, for scrapping by Steel Co. of Canada, Ltd.

The keel was laid at Bay Shipbuilding, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin on April 4, 1978, for the Columbia Transportation Div., Oglebay Norton Co.'s FRED R. WHITE JR (Hull#722).

Sea trials of the tanker ROBERT W. STEWART (Hull#802) of American Shipbuilding Co., Lorain, Ohio were run on April 4, 1928. Renamed b.) AMOCO MICHIGAN in 1962, she was sold off the lakes in 1969 and renamed c.) SHUKHEIR. Scrapped in Egypt in 1989.

WILLIAM C. ATWATER (Hull#249) was launched on April 4, 1925, by the Great Lakes Engineering Works, for the Wilson Transit Co. Renamed b.) E. J. KULAS in 1936, c.) BEN MOREELL in 1953, d.) THOMAS E. MILLSOP in 1955. Sold Canadian in 1976, renamed e.) E. J. NEWBERRY and f.) CEDARGLEN 1981. Scrapped at Port Maitland, Ontario in 1994.

FRED G. HARTWELL (Hull#112) was launched April 4, 1908, by the Toledo Shipbuilding Co., for the Mutual Steamship Co., G. A. Tomlinson, mgr. Renamed b.) HARRY W. CROFT in 1917. Scrapped at Santander, Spain in 1969.

Interlake Steamship's E.G. GRACE became the first Maritimer to be sold for scrap when she was acquired by Marine Salvage on April 4, 1984.

JEAN-TALON was launched April 4, 1936, as a.) FRANQUELIN (Hull#1517) by Swan, Hunter and Wigham Richardson Ltd. for the Quebec and Ontario Transportation Co. Ltd.

The harbor tug and fire boat EDNA G was launched April 4, 1896, by the Cleveland Ship Building Co., as (Hull#25), for the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railroad Co.

On April 4, 1983, and on April 4, 1984, the WILLIAM CLAY FORD, opened the shipping season at Duluth, Minnesota. While the WILLIAM CLAY FORD was traditionally among the first vessels to visit Duluth-Superior, it was coincidence that she opened the port on the same day during her last two seasons in service.

On 4 April 1872, the schooner JOHN WESLEY was launched from Bailey's yard at Toledo, Ohio. She was built for Skidmore & Abairs. She was classed as a full-sized canaller and cost $22,000.

On 4 April 1881, the last two vessels of the Northern Transit Company, CHAMPLAIN and LAWRENCE, were sold to D. H. Day & Company of Grand Haven, Michigan.

1969: The Liberty ship CORINTHIAKOS made three trips to the Great Lakes beginning in 1960. It had been built as a tanker but rebuilt as a bulk carrier in 1955. The ship was sailing under Liberian registry as h) PACSTAR when it ran aground in a storm on the north shore of Toshima, Tokyo Bay en route from Kure, Japan, to Portland, Oregon, in ballast. The bottom was opened to the sea and the engine room was flooded. Salvage efforts were unsuccessful and the ship was abandoned as a total loss and sold for scrap.

1969: The self-unloader HOCHELAGA of Canada Steamship Lines hit the breakwall stern first while turning with the help of tugs at Conneaut, Ohio. The cargo of coal was lightered to MANITOULIN and HOCHELAGA had to go to Port Colborne for repairs.

1997: ELIJIANNI, a Greek bulk carrier, had visited the Great Lakes in 1979. It was sailing as d) KEKOVA when it was in a collision with the VASILIOS III, a Greek tanker, in the Sea of Marmora on this date in 1997. There were temporary repairs to the port bow but the 27-year-old vessel was sold for scrap and arrived at Aliaga, Turkey, for dismantling on June 2, 1997.

Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze , Jody Aho, Father Dowling Collection, “Ahoy & Farewell II,” the Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Bowling Green State University and the “Great Lakes Ships We Remember” series.

Algoma Conveyor arrives at the Panama Canal

4/3 - The newest addition to the Algoma Central Corporation fleet the Algoma Conveyor (IMO 9619268) built in China arrived at the Pacific Entrance and Anchorage to the Panama Canal on Tuesday in the morning to anchor awaiting transit through the Panama Canal.

This is the eighth vessel in the new Equinox-class series of ships built for the Algoma Central Corporation starting in 2013. Seven of the new ships were built in China, while one was built and constructed in Croatia.

Algoma Conveyor left the shipyard in China on February 16 and made a brief stop in the Philippines on February 22 to take on fuel before continuing its maiden voyage to Canada where the vessel is expected to arrive sometime in mid-April. Upon arriving in Canada the ship will then be reflagged from its current registration of Tuvalu to Canadian registry and will then have an all Canadian crew as the vessel currently has a foreign crew aboard.

Denny Dushane

Duluth tugboats help cut ice for season's early ships

4/3 - Duluth, MN – Ramming through ice at the end of Canadian National Dock 6 in Duluth, Mike Ojard pushed the Helen H. tugboat as far forward as its 3,900-horsepower locomotive engine would allow, then backed up, and went at it again.

The tug jolted to each side as it hit the ice, which split easily against its hull. "You've got to understand that this is a contact sport," Ojard, 73, owner of Heritage Marine, said from the cabin of his tugboat.

"Our job is really to run into stuff," added Bob Hom, a Heritage Marine captain.

It helps the company added almost 14 tons of steel to the bow, thickening its hull to 1 ¾ inches. "Count the number of dents in the side of a tugboat," Ojard said.

"That's why we got those huge tires on the side," Hom said. At the beginning of each shipping season, the Heritage Marine crew helps break ice, allowing the season to get an earlier start. While the U.S. Coast Guard opens main channels for ships, tugboats keep those channels from refreezing and break ice within slips and along docks.

When the ice melts, tugboat companies spend the rest of the season helping guide and transport ships within the harbor.

On Tuesday, the Heritage Marine crew was tasked with towing the idled Arthur M. Anderson to Fraser Shipyards for a refit. (See related story on April 2 news.)

Ojard didn't spend his career on a tugboat. Instead, he worked as a welder, school teacher and owner of a transmission shop — skills that helped him refurbish and maintain the tugboats Heritage Marine acquired.

But Ojard, a Knife River native, grew up on the lake. Whether it was fishing with family or tagging along to work with his father on the Edna G. — Two Harbor's famed tugboat that, now retired, sits on display in the harbor and is incorporated into the city's logo.

So when Ojard began buying tugboats in 2007 — some from as far away as Texas — and transporting them back to the Twin Ports, he had no idea at the time that would result in a business. But since then, Heritage Marine has grown to a fleet of four tugs — three kept off Connors Point in Superior and another in Two Harbors.

Now, Ojard leads one of the two tug businesses in the Duluth-Superior harbor and has managed to bring tug service back to Two Harbors after over 35 years without it. Why start a tugboat business in retirement?

"I always wanted a tugboat," Ojard said.

Read more and view photos at this link: https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/business/4593341-tugboats-help-cut-ice-seasons-early-ships

New Algoma tanker headed to Canada from Netherlands

4/3 - A new product tanker is making its way to Canada from Amsterdam, Netherlands and will join the Algoma Tanker Ltd. fleet sometime mid-April. St. Catharines-based Algoma Central Corp. said the 16,500 DWT (deadweight tonnage), 2010-built product tanker Algoterra left the European country Saturday and is headed to Halifax, N.S.

"I am pleased to say that our fleet is fully booked for the season," said Algoma president and chief executive officer Gregg Ruhl in a release from the company. He said the Algoterra is the second product tanker acquired by Algoma Tanker Ltd. in the last four months after the Algonorth joined the fleet in early December. "We are looking forward to bringing the Algoterra home and to having the Algonorth operate for her first full season with Algoma."

Algoma Captain Bruce Chisling said he was honoured and excited to be chosen to take command of the Algoterra upon its arrival in Canada. "It will be challenging to get to know her, but with our highly-trained and skilled officers and crew I am confident that the transition will be seamless," he said.

In addition to the Algoterra, Algoma's newest Seawaymax self-unloader - the Algoma Conveyor - is currently in the final days of the trans-Pacific leg of her trip to the Great Lakes from China.

Algoma said the vessel will reach Balboa, Panama this week, where she will undertake a Panama Canal transit and make her way to Canada. The Algoma Conveyor will be joining her seven Equinox Class sister ships in operation for the 2019 navigation season.

The Standard

Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. As the new season begins, please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).

Two Harbors-Silver Bay – Gary A Putney
Thunder Bay arrived Two Harbors on April 3rd at 08:46 for South of #2. She departed at 17:35 with an assist from Heritage Marine's Nels J. The Thunder Bay doesn't have an updated AIS. The Algoma Discovery went to anchor NE of Two Harbors at approx. 11:00 on April 2nd. She got underway at approx. 17:00 on the 2nd and arrived at 18:10 on April 2nd. She was assisted to the dock by the Nels J. The American Spirit arrived off Two Harbors late in the afternoon of April 2nd. It looks like she'll run checked down off Two Harbors. Due Two Harbors on April 3rd is the American Integrity. Northshore Mining in Silver Bay saw the arrival of the H. Lee White on April 2nd at 06:09 and depart at 14:56 with no updated AIS on April 2nd. Due Silver Bay on April 3rd are the Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader and the Lee A. Tregurtha.

Thunder Bay, ON
Monday April 1st: 9:59 USCGC Alder departed Keefer Terminal for ice-breaking operations in the harbor. 12:22 Tecumseh departed Richardson Main Terminal for Port Cartier. 13:04 USCGC Alder departed for Duluth. 18:01 Algoma Equinox departed G3 for Quebec City. 19:15 G3 Marquis departed Richardson Current River Terminal for Port Cartier. Tuesday April 2nd: There were no ship movements at the port.

Georgian Bay, ON – Bruce McCreath
On Tuesday, the Algoma Niagara was taking on a load of salt from the Compass Minerals (Sifto) mine.

Marine City, MI – Rod Burdick
Calumet opened Marine City on Tuesday and unloaded stone from Marblehead.

Detroit-Rouge River, MI – Raymond H.
The Calumet stopped to fuel at the Waterfront Petroleum Terminal early Tuesday morning. The tug Capt. Keith arrived at Nicholson's Ecorse Terminal. Later, the upbound Atlantic Huron stopped to fuel at the Waterfront Petroleum Terminal. Ending the day was the John J Boland, calling on Zug Island to unload coal.

Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report for Tuesday April 2 – Barry Andersen Severe ice conditions have caused delays off Port Colborne for a number of days. One icebreaker was released from icebreaking duties at this location Tuesday morning headed and eastbound.

Nanticoke:
docked - Mar 29 - Algosea at 1111 - Apr 1 - Algocanada at 0729 - departed - Apr 2 - Algocanada at 0518 for the canal

Port Colborne anchorage:
anchored (downbound) - Apr 2 - Algocanada at 0846 - Apr 2 - Rt Hon Paul J Martin (upbound at 0835 - departed Apr 2 - Algocanada at 0957 eastbound and Rt Hon Paul J Martin at 1043

Port Weller anchorage:
departures - Apr 2 - Esta Desgagnes at 1001 and Tasing Swan (DIS) (ex Erria Mie-12, Hamza Efe-08) at 1852 (both eastbound)

Welland Canal:
upbound - Apr 1 - Rt Hon Paul J Martin at 0801 - Apr 2 - Radcliffe R Latimer at 1827 and Algoma Transport eta 2107

downbound - Apr 1 - tug Wilf Seymour & barge Alouette Spirit at 1705, Algoma Transport at 1724, Kaministiqua at 1757 and Federal Kumano (Mhl) at 1928 - Apr 2 - CCGS Martha L Black at 0739, Algoma Sault at 1016 and Algocanada at 1026 ( stopping wharf 16) and CSL Tadoussac eta 2135

Hamilton:
arrivals - Apr 2 - Algoma Transport at 0656 and Federal Kumano (Mhl) at 0916 - departure - Apr 2 - Algoma Transport at 1855 for the canal

Toronto:
arrival - Apr 1 - NACC Argonaut at 0452 - departed - Apr 2 - at 1241 eastbound

2019 Boatnerd Gatherings schedule now available

4/3 - The 2019 schedule of Boatnerd Gathering has been set and information is now available now on the Gatherings page www.boatnerd.com/gathering.

Gatherings include the always-popular S.S. Badger cruise, Soo Locks Engineers weekend festivities, and the annual Welland Canal weekend.

Reservations are now being accepted for the Badger Cruise and Soo Locks Freighter-Chasing Cruise. Sign up now. Don't be left on the dock.

In 1969 the RALPH MISENER (steel propeller bulk freighter, 730 foot, 19,160 gross tons, built in 1967, at Montreal, Quebec) suffered serious fire damage to her engine room during fit-out at Port Colborne, Ontario. She went overseas for scrap in 2012 as b.) GORDON C. LEITCH (ii).

On April 3, 1991, the pilothouse of the WILLIAM CLAY FORD of 1953 was moved by a barge towed by Gaelic tug's CAROLYN HOEY and placed on a specially built foundation at the Dossin Museum for display facing the Detroit River as a fully equipped pilothouse.

The tanker a.) TEMBLADOR (Hull#15) of the Barnes Ð Duluth Shipbuilding Co., was launched April 3, 1943, for the Creole Petroleum Corp, for off lakes use. She later sailed on the lakes as b.) LIQUILASSIE.

On 3 April 1872, the passenger/package freight steam barge ROBERT HOLLAND was launched at Marine City, Michigan. She was towed to Detroit by the propeller TRADER to have her machinery installed.

On 3 April 1876, the Port Huron Times reported "The wreck of the schooner HARMONICA, which has been missing for a month or more, has been discovered on the beach near Whitehall, Michigan completely buried in the ice. Four are supposed to have perished."

On 3 April 1894, WILLIAM H. BARNUM (wooden propeller freighter, 219 foot, 937 gross tons, built in 1873, at Detroit, Michigan) was carrying corn on her first trip of the season. She was reportedly in poor condition and was insured only for this voyage. Her hull was cut by floating ice and she sank in the Straits of Mackinac about two miles east of present Mackinac Bridge. The tug CRUSADER got her crew off before she sank.

1942: The second TABORFJELL to visit the Great Lakes for the Fjell Line was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic east of New Jersey on this date by U-576. The vessel was en route from Matanzas, Cuba, to New York and Montreal with sugar. The three survivors waited for 20 hours before being rescued. Another 17 crewmates perished. The 1339 gross ton vessel first came inland shortly after being delivered in August 1938.

1975: The self-unloader J.W. McGIFFIN of Canada Steamship Lines was blown aground in the Welland Canal near Thorold. Two holes were punched in the hull and they were repaired at Port Weller Dry Docks. The ship was rebuilt as CSL NIAGARA in 1999.

Data from: Skip GIllham, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection and the Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Bowling Green State University, “Ahoy & Farewell II” and the “Great Lakes Ships We Remember” series.