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Source: LCA

Cleveland - A malfunction of the Poe Lock at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, on September 24 has illustrated the pressing need for Congress to appropriate the funds to build another lock capable of handling the largest U.S.-Flag Great Lakes freighters.

Although the vessel delays totaled only about three hours, had the problem been more severe, cargo movement on the Lakes would have slowed to a trickle. U.S.-Flag Lakers whose length and/or beam restrict them to the Poe Lock represent 70 percent of U.S.-Flag carrying capacity.

“The Poe Lock that connects Lake Superior to the lower Great Lakes is the single point of failure that can cripple Great Lakes shipping,” said James H.I. Weakley, President of Lake Carriers’ Association. “In 2007, the Poe Lock handled nearly 65 million tons of cargo. Without that lock, America’s steel industry is cut off from its major source of iron ore. Without that lock, Great Lakes basin utilities are denied access to clean-burning low-sulfur coal. There just aren’t enough ships that are small enough to transit the MacArthur Lock to make up for loss of Poe-class vessels.” Read the rest of this entry »

Source: Forbes

Shares of steel producers fell hard Monday after buyers virtually suspended purchases in the expectation that the cost of steel product will fall.

“Basically what happened is that the price of scrap steel plummeted in late August and early September between a third and a half, between $250 per ton and $300 per ton,” Bradford said.

“But steel mills have only cut their prices by about $100 per ton, so buyers have been waiting for them to cut their prices accordingly.”

Read the full story, stats at Forbes >>

Source: WWJ.com/Great Lakes IT report

Today, Lt. Gov. John Cherry, acting for Gov. Jennifer Granholm, signed a capital outlay bill authorizing Michigan Technological University to spend $25 million to build a Great Lakes research center along the Portage Canal on the University’s campus.

…The project will include construction of a three-story research building and enhancement of Michigan Tech’s waterfront, said W. Charles Kerfoot, professor of biological sciences and director of the Lake Superior Ecosystem Research Center.

…The new center will focus on a number of pressing issues in upper Great Lakes coastal research, including research into the effects of global climate change, the impact of invasive plant and animal species, over-fishing and the reproductive failure of native fish, loss of coastal wetlands and habitats along tributaries that feed the Great Lakes, historical contamination from mining and the impact of toxic contaminants that persist, and the effects of population and pollution on coastal biodiversity.

Lots more details, quotes, information about the new lab at WWJ.com Great Lakes IT Report >>

by Jeff Alexander | Source: The Muskegon Chronicle

Freighters may continue to wash unlimited quantities of coal, limestone and other dry cargo residues into the Great Lakes under a new federal policy.

The U.S. Coast Guard Monday finalized an interim policy that allows the long-standing but controversial — and possibly illegal — practice of washing dry cargo residues into the lakes to continue indefinitely. The policy enacted Monday replaces a 1998 interim policy.

The new policy requires shippers to keep records of where and when they wash cargo residuals into the lakes and the quantities involved. It also banned the practice, known as washdown or dry cargo sweeping, in 11 ecologically sensitive areas on the lakes.

Read the for/against reactions from many stakeholders >>

Source: Great Lakes Environment

Sep 29: The U.S. Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register [73 FR 56492-56501] that it is amending its regulations to allow the discharge of bulk dry cargo residue (DCR) in limited areas of the Great Lakes by self-propelled vessels and by any barge that is part of an integrated tug and barge unit.

DCR is the residue of non-toxic and non-hazardous bulk dry cargo like limestone, iron ore, and coal.

The regulations also add new recordkeeping and reporting requirements and encourage carriers to adopt voluntary control measures for reducing discharges. Discharges are now prohibited in certain protected and sensitive areas where, previously, they were allowed.

The Coast Guard also requests public comments on the need for and feasibility of additional conditions that might be imposed on discharges in the future, such as mandatory use of control measures, or further adjustments to the areas where discharges are allowed or prohibited.

…Comments and related material submitted in response to the request for comments must be received before January 15, 2009.

Find out where dumping is prohibited, how you can still participate in the process, at Great Lakes Environment >>

by Bob VandeVusse | Source: Holland Sentinel

After two and a half weeks of inactivity, we finally had a freighter on Lake Macatawa on Thursday, as the Wilfred Sykes delivered coal to the James DeYoung power plant. It arrived shortly after midnight and departed after 8 a.m. The departure was a lengthy endeavor, as the captain seemed to avoid using the bow thruster to turn around so as not to damage the dock repairs that are nearing completion at the Verplank dock. This was only our second delivery in the last month.

As the season winds down, we expect to see two more coal deliveries and several more loads of stone. Once the construction is finished on the Verplank dock, we should see the east end of the facility fill up. Brewer’s should see some more activity, as well.

Read more about expected deliveries in Holland at the Holland Sentinel >>

by Bob VandeVusse | Source: Holland Sentinel

There is a federally maintained shipping channel that runs the length of Lake Macatawa, from just west of the entrance near Big Red, almost all the way to the River Avenue bridge. It is roughly 150 feet wide and 20 feet deep.

As part of that channel there is a widened area, or turning basin, where vessels of up to 700 feet in length can turn around.

Read the complete explanation, location and more at the Holland Sentinel >>

By Sharon Linstedt | Source: The Buffalo News

Two local maritime groups are competing to gain control of the historic South Buffalo Lighthouse.

The Buffalo Lighthouse Association and the MAIN (Maritime Activity Interyouth Network) have both filed letters of intent with the federal agency that is handling disposal of the long inactive beacon tower.

Both organizations met a Sept. 23 deadline for nonprofit groups or government agencies to signal interest in owning the 105-year-old lighthouse, which is situated on Stony Point, at the tip of the former Bethlehem Steel site.

…Buffalo Lighthouse Association President Tom Johnston said his group’s goals are restoration and public access for the circa-1903 tower, which is accessible only by boat.

More about the groups, plans at the Buffalo News >>

Source: SteelGuru

The Platts reference prices of imported and domestic made hot rolled and cold rolled coil in the US market plunged amid reports of US mill sales reps calling buyers almost non stop seeking October 2008 orders.

There has also been a resurgence of low-priced offers from offshore producers, mainly HRC from Russia and CRC from China and Finland.

The major flat rolling mills namely US Steel, Nucor and ArcelorMittal, had been trying to separately hold offers within a range of USD 1,000 to USD 1,020 per short tonne ex-works in the case of HRC. That stance, however, was undermined by…

Read the full piece at SteelGuru >>

Source: USCG

U.S. Coast Guard Station Sturgeon Bay medically evacuated a 52-year-old male experiencing a swollen calf from the Wilfred Sykes 14 miles offshore Sturgeon Bay Monday at approximately 3 p.m.

“There was concern he may have had a blood clot,” said Jonathan LeBeau, Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan Operation Unit Controller.

A 41-foot utility boat crew transferred the man safely from the 667-foot laker to awaiting Emergency Medical Services on shore. He was transported to Door County Memorial Hospital.

* Note: This article has been edited from the original to correct spelling and grammar.

Source: WGBA TV

While leaving work today some Marinette Marine Corporation employees say they’re nervous. Most don’t know who is losing their job next.  Ninety employees have already been laid off and company officials say 60 more will lose their job in the next month.

The lay-offs are just temporary, but it is unclear when employees can come back.  Marinette Marine Vice President Richard McCreary says they’re close to a deal to build a combat ship for the Navy, and he is optimistic Congress will approve it.

If it passes soon, workers could be back by December, and workers say this gives them some relief.  But company officials say if it doesn’t pass, workers might not be back to work for 6-8 months.

McCreary said “One of the only things that could stop workers from getting back to work sooner than later is if Congress puts all of their energy towards the economic bailout plan.”

Full story, video at WGBA >>

Press Release

After one of the busiest summers in its 34-year history, the Michigan Maritime Museum has announced new hours and staffing adjustments for the coming winter season.

As of October 1 the museum will be open to the public from 10 AM – 5 PM Friday, Saturday and Sunday and by appointment.  The Maryalyce Canonie Great Lakes Research Library located at the Keepers House will be open Thursdays from 10 AM – 5 PM and by appointment.

All of the facilities on the museum campus will be open including the main gallery, the VanOort Coast Guard boat house, the US Lifesaving Service crew quarters, the fish tug Evelyn S. and the Padnos boat building shed.  Dockside tours of the tall ship Friends Good Will will be available until the weather prohibits boarding. Read the rest of this entry »

Source: Sault Star

Engineers are monitoring the Poe Lock after a gate malfunction closed the largest of the Soo Locks on Wednesday.

“It wasn’t mitring properly so we stopped traffic for a while [Wednesday morning],” said Klein.

“We’re still monitoring it,” he said.

Read the full story at the Sault Star >>

Source: WLUC TV 6

Marinette Marine shipbuilders say they’re facing layoffs.

Boilermakers Local 696 says it’s been notified that 91 union employees will be laid off effective Monday.

A union official says a second round of layoffs involving another 120 workers is scheduled for November 3, unless the company gets additional work.

Earlier in September, Marinette Marine’s CEO said the layoffs were necessary because of delays by the Navy and Coast Guard in awarding contracts.

But just Wednesday, it was announced that Marinette Marine would get more than one billion dollars to build two combat ships at their Marinette facility.

CATHY DOBSON | Source: Sarnia Observer

[The] underwater videography is now complete and its suggests the riverbed near the bridge hasn’t changed, says John Nevin, communications advisor for the International Upper Great Lakes Study.

That flies in the face of assertions made by Georgian Bay homeowners, who claimed in 2005 that ongoing erosion in the riverbed is causing low lake levels. According to the bathtub theory the riverbed is eroding as a result of past dredging, making the channel deeper. With a larger drain-hole at Sarnia, lakes Michigan and Huron are falling.

… Instead, the study has found that the St. Clair’s riverbed south of the Black River appears to have “significantly” changed in size.

“It might be a result of maintenance dredging or perhaps it’s prop wash from propellers. It’s really too early to say,” said Nevin.

Read the full story at the Sarnia Observer >>

Source: Thunder Bay’s Source

A weak shipping season for the Port of Thunder Bay could become even worse next month.

Workers with the St. Lawrence Seaway have voted to give the Canadian Auto Workers union that represents them a strike mandate, with a potential walkout coming as early as Oct. 10.

Local port authority CEO Tim Heney said Thunder Bay could be among the hardest hit centres if the strike goes ahead.

“Thunder Bay is the largest export port on the seaway,” he said. “That means most of our cargo goes all the way through the Welland Canal - [a labour disruption] would certainly have a dramatic impact on us if it lasted any length of time.”

Read the full story at Thunder Bay’s Source >>

Source: Chronicle of an older diver

Slightly over a month later we were in Sarnia, Ontario on a hot (34C), diving a couple of wrecks under the Blue Water Bridge. One wreck, the “Monarch”, lies in the middle of the St. Clair River at a depth of 60 feet. My log book notes a “moderate” 6 knot current. I have memories of hanging on for dear life, especially when the freighters went overhead.

Read the full entry at deepstop.wordpress.com >>

Source: Coast Guard News

The U.S. Coast Guard announced today that the interim rule for dry cargo residue discharges on the Great Lakes is scheduled for publication in the Federal Register Monday, Sept. 29, 2008.

The interim rule requires Great Lakes bulk dry cargo carriers to keep records of loading, unloading and discharges of dry cargo residues and encourages lake carriers to use control measures to reduce the amount of dry cargo residue entering the waters of the Great Lakes. The rule continues to allow the discharge of non-toxic and non-hazardous bulk dry cargo residues in certain areas of the Great Lakes. Discharges are now prohibited in certain protected and sensitive areas where previously, they were allowed.

Great Lakes ships have operated under a Coast Guard “interim enforcement policy” since 1993, that has allowed “incidental discharges” of non-toxic and non-hazardous dry cargo residues such as limestone, iron ore and coal on the Great Lakes. The interim enforcement policy also specified where dry cargo residue discharges could and could not occur. Congressional legislation has extended the interim enforcement policy since 1998. The current extension, granted by Congress in 2004, expires Sept. 30, 2008.

The Coast Guard also requests public comments on the need for and feasibility of additional conditions that might be imposed on future dry cargo residue discharges, such as mandatory use of control measures or further adjustments to areas where discharges are prohibited or allowed. Comments can be submitted online at …  Read the rest of this entry »

Bart Stupak’s Office | Source: SooToday.com

The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a spending bill to fund the U.S. Departments of Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs for the entirety of fiscal year 2009, which begins on October 1.

The bill also funds all other federal government agencies at current levels through March 6, 2009.

Defence spending

The bill includes $1.02 billion for two Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) and instructs the U.S. Navy to award contracts for construction of the ships as soon as possible.

Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wis., built the first LCS ship and is a candidate for building additional ships.

The bill also includes … $6.24 million for Marinette Marine Corporation to continue research on ship hull forms, demonstrating the Bow Lifting Body concept at a creditable and useful size to help transition the technology to military and homeland security applications

Auto industry

The bill includes $7.5 billion to support $25 billion in direct loans for automakers to re-tool their plants to produce the next generation of advanced technology vehicles.

The loans were approved by Congress in the Energy Security and Independence Act, which was passed in December 2007.

This is the first time Congress has provided funding for the program.

“This money is an investment in the auto industry and in hard working Americans who make our cars and trucks,” Stupak said. “As opposed to the bailout the president has requested for Wall Street, these loans will be paid back and will result in a profit for taxpayers. Democrats and Republicans in the Michigan delegation have worked in a bipartisan manner with House and Senate Leadership to put together this critical build out package for the automakers.”

Bettina Chavanne | Source: Aviation Week

I got an excellent opportunity this morning to take a ride on the Potomac aboard the Coast Guard’s new Response Boat-Medium (RB-M).

The RB-M acquisition is the third initiative in the Response Boats 2010 strategic vision and transition plan, aimed at standardizing and revitalizing the USCG’s shore-based response fleet.

There are 30 RB-Ms on order. Marinette Marine is delivering approximately one per month, while building production capacity to deliver 30 per year as early as FY 2010.

Full story, more terrific photos at Aviation Week (blog) >>