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Source: Duluth News Tribune

Commercial shipping between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes was on hold for a few hours today after a malfunction of the Poe Lock in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

The 1,200-foot-long lock’s gate malfunctioned at 9 a.m., and crews were called in to investigate with an underwater camera. Three ships were delayed while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers worked to determine the cause of the malfunction.

Repairs were made by early afternoon, allowing normal vessel traffic to resume.

Brian Mulherin | Source: Ludington Daily News

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers didn’t waste any time ordering a survey of Ludington’s harbor after a 630-foot freighter was stuck for 40 minutes or more Saturday.

The ship, which reported a draft of 24.3 feet to Coast Guard Station Ludington, became lodged on bottom as it entered the harbor from the west-northwest.

… Ludington’s harbor is dredged once every three years and normally down to 30 feet, but last year the dredging only went to 28 feet due to federal budget constraints.

… Wednesday’s survey revealed the shoal is a little larger and a little higher off bottom, with depths as shallow as 22.5 feet recorded in an area that spans 150 feet from west to east.

How the survey was done, previous observations and more at the Ludington Daily News >>

Bob VandeVusse | Source: The Holland Sentinel

Delays have continued to plague coal deliveries in Holland for the past week. The expected load on the Manistee was canceled.

It has been reported that Lower Lakes Towing has signed a major transportation contract for ore pellets with Essar Steel Algoma, of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. That means that their vessels Manitowoc, Manistee, Maumee and Calumet may be unavailable for coal and stone loads. That could create a hardship for docks in small harbors like Holland, as those vessels in the 600-foot range are ideal for harbors like ours.

The coal delivery on the Wilfred Sykes has been delayed, as well. It is now expected to load today and arrive early Monday morning.

Read the full article at the Holland Sentinel >>

Source: The Beacon, Column

Last week I began writing about a trip my brother, Tom Allen, took on the lake freighter Herbert C Jackson July 2-10. His friend, Charlie Ontko, had invited Tom to go on a working trip on this boat. They left from Toledo, loaded with coal, went across the western end of Lake Erie, up Detroit River, Lake St Clair, St Clair River and most of the length of Lake Huron.

… On July 5 the Herbert C Jackson was traveling “light ballast” (no freight) as she made her way out the St Mary’s River, through Whitefish Bay and thence onto mighty Lake Superior. Destination: Duluth, Minnesota, at the extreme western end of the lake.

The weather was good, sunny and fine. However, the water temperature of Superior was only 48 degrees so that kept things cool. The guys wore jackets or sweatshirts most of the time.

On Saturday night, just as darkness was coming down, they passed the Keweenaw Peninsula jutting out from the Michigan shore. Tom called home and said they were close enough to see lights from vehicles on shore.

…At Superior they loaded coal for Marquette, Michigan. They didn’t get off the boat at all because they were waiting for officials to check their identification papers. Soon they were underway again, back out the river and heading toward where they would round the Keewenaw Peninsula and then “short-cut” down to Marquette.

At Marquette they unloaded the coal, moved to another dock and loaded iron ore pellets. Tom told us later that the loading and unloading procedures are fascinating. The boat carries ballast water and while loading and unloading the boat is kept level fore and aft. Sometimes loading is slowed while ballast water is pumped out. The crew can actually load freight faster than they can pump water out!

… In the Detroit River, the mail boat came out to meet them. Called by the sailors, “mail in a pail”, a pail is let down and mail and other items are transported to or from the freighter in a closed bucket. Also, another sailor came aboard at this time, leaving the smaller boat and climbing up a ladder on the side of the big boat. Since the Herbert C Jackson was so heavily loaded and low in the water, the new man coming aboard did not have far to climb. Again, all this happened while the two boats were underway and, again, is “routine”.

Lots more to read of Tom’s 8 days on the Herbert C Jackson at The Beacon >>

Source: Sault Star

The St. Mary’s River won’t run quite as high this month, as the International Lake Superior Board of Control responds to August’s Lake Superior water level decline.

Lake Superior, which normally rises by one centimetre in August, dropped by five centimetres last month.

Water supplies to the basins of Lake Superior and lakes Michigan-Huron were well below their long-term averages, said the board of control in its regular outflow update.

The reduced rate will mean decreased water levels on the St. Mary’s Rapids this month.

Read the rest of the story at the Sault Star >>

The Walter J. McCarthy, a 1000-footer, anchored above the Rock Cut Wednesday evening, likely due to low water levels. The St Marys River was well below datum at that point. The McCarthy had long since departed anchorage and cleared the River as of mid-day Thursday, September 4th.

Loaded freighters often anchor above and below the Rock Cut when water levels drop. Failing to wait could have disastrous results; without enough water, they may strike bottom, run firmly aground, damage the hull, and even possibly spill some of their cargo in the waterway.

It is more common to see ships anchored in the St Marys in the autumn and early winter months, as water levels tend to run lower in the lakes and therefore the river during that time of year. ##

Web: NOAA Great Lakes Online - live water level readings around the Great Lakes

Photos: Aerial Photos of damage and freighter - NewsNet5

Related: Vessel specs of the Canadian Progress - Seaway Marine Transport

Source: Morning Journal

Two recreational boats and a pier at Spitzer Marina were damaged when a freighter went “off course” in the Black River early this morning, according to the Ninth Coast Guard District.

The Motor Vessel Canadian Progress, a 730-foot dry bulk carrier, made a late turn while going up river about 2:30 a.m. in the area of Freshwater Drive and Arizona Avenue.

The late turn produced a wake which caused significant damage to the pier, according to the Coast Guard.

Read the full story at the Morning Journal >>

Source: Hamilton Spectator

What came in and out of the Port of Hamilton the week of Aug. 24 to 30, 2008

• Estimated total tonnage: 368,258
• Total ships in and out: 17
• Domestic: 15
• International: 2
• Percentage of imports: 80.9
• Percentage of exports: 19.1

Incoming: A total of 11 vessels arrived with bulk raw materials (coal and ore) used in production at steel mills ArcelorMittal Dofasco and U.S. Steel Canada and one overseas vessel arrived with steel.

Outgoing: Two vessels exported petroleum products and one exported grain.

Highlights for the week: The Federal Power arrived with a cargo of steel from Bremen, Germany. Following the Hamilton discharge, the vessel was destined for Cleveland, Ohio, to discharge the remaining cargo.

The M/V Whistler loaded steel coil to be exported to Spain and the UK.

By COREY LAROCQUE | Source: Niagara Falls Review

When massive lakers like the Robert S. Pierson and Canada Steamship Lines Laurentien are cruising through the Welland Canal, it takes more than a mile for them to stop.

It’s one of the reasons the Allanburg lift bridge over the canal stays up longer than the Glendale bridge. Vessels move faster in that straightaway stretch than they do on other sections of the canal that connects lakes Erie and Ontario.

It means the Allanburg bridge has to be up longer, because a ship would need more time to stop if there were a problem, says John Chalmers, operations support coordinator for St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp.

…Not only do controllers manage the movement of ships and lift bridges on the canal, they’re responsible for security, using a network of closed-circuit cameras along seaway property.

The operations centre is also the canal’s emergency response centre in the event of a fire or other emergency aboard a ship. And one controller is responsible for deploying the seaway company’s employees where they need to be.

…”What we’re striving for, as a corporation, is to get ships through in 12.5 hours or less 90 per cent of the time,” said Chalmers.

Ship captains can count on getting through the Welland Canal in that period of time about 84 per cent of the time. On average, it takes 11 hours for a ship to travel through the canal.

Very neat behind-the-scenes look at Seaway Operations, including photo of the ops center, at the Niagara Falls Review >>

Source: Herald Times Reporter

LUDINGTON, Mich. — The S.S. Badger … resume[d] its regular twice-daily Lake Michigan crossings [Friday] after completion of repairs at Bay Shipbuilding.

The ship experienced a problem with a stern bearing last Sunday that could not be repaired at the dock, forcing it to sail to the shipyard in Sturgeon Bay.

Because no dry dock space was available, a team of underwater repair specialists was flown in from California.

Badger officials said Thursday the California team worked around the clock to get the ship back in service, and able to transport vehicles and people between Ludington and Manitowoc.

Full story, photo at the Herald Times Reporter >>

Source: USCG

MARQUETTE, Mich. — The Coast Guard medically evacuated a 42-year-old male from the Burns Harbor, a 1,000-foot iron ore transport vessel, after he was experiencing chest pains early Wednesday morning.

The Burns Harbor was transiting 60 miles east of Marquette in Lake Superior.

“The position of the laker made the hoist challenging,” said a Coast Guard crewman.

A Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City HH-65C Dolphin helicopter airlifted the man from the Burns Harbor and transported him to Sawyer Airport to awaiting Emergency Medical Services.

“We got on scene, hoisted down the swimmer, sent down the basket and hoisted him [the victim] up, then retrieved the swimmer,” said Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Klatt, the helicopter pilot.

EMS transported him to Marquette General Hospital.

Source: The London Free Press

POINT EDWARD — Much of Point Edward’s waterfront was evacuated and Great Lakes ship traffic temporarily halted yesterday after someone threatened to blow up the Blue Water Bridge.

Both lanes of the international span were closed for 90 minutes after the threat was delivered to the Canadian Coast Guard office.

… “It’s a sad commentary on the times,” he said. “But we have to take every precaution.”

Because the bridge was targeted, the Coast Guard halted all water traffic approaching it from Lake Huron and the St. Clair River, including commercial shipping and pleasure boats, spokesperson J. J. Brickett said.

Full story at the London Free Press >>

by Bob VandeVusse | Source: Holland Sentinel

Things got started on Friday, Aug. 1, with the arrival of the Manitowoc with a load of coal for the James DeYoung power plant. It arrived early in the morning and departed late in the afternoon.

… Later in the day [August 3rd] or early tomorrow, the Manistee will deliver more coal at the power plant. If you head to Grand Haven today, you may see the Coast Guard fleet departing from the festival. Both the Mackinaw and the Biscayne Bay will head out, as will the 228-foot Canadian cutter Samuel Risley, which has been in port since Wednesday, July 30.

On Monday, Aug.4, we may see a boat at Verplank’s, but that is tentative at this time. It may divert to St. Joseph instead if soundings show sufficient depth there. There has been dredging going on there for much of the summer.

Sailing Regatta and more later in the week, see the Holland Sentinel >>

Source: USCG

MARINETTE, Wisc. - The Coast Guard is providing security for a new Navy Ship in Northern Lake Michigan, Thursday.

The Littoral Combat Ship, USS Freedom, built in Marinette, Wisc. is currently conducting sea trials as Coast Guard Station Sturgeon Bay Response Boat crews provide security for the 379-foot combat ship.

The Coast Guard crews are responsible for enforcing a Naval Vessel Protection Zone, which is a 500-yard regulated area of water surrounding large U.S. naval vessels that is necessary to provide for the safety and security of these U.S. naval vessels.

• All vessels within 500 yards of a U.S. naval vessel must operate at the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course.
• Vessels are not allowed within 100 yards of a U.S. naval vessel
• The official patrol can be reached on VHF-FM channel 16

“The Naval Vessel Protective Zone does not limit people from viewing the ship but it does identify a no-travel buffer zone for everyones’ safety,” said Cmdr. Billy Mitchell, Assistant Branch Chief for Enforcement of the Coast Guard Ninth District.

Coast Guard Crews from Stations Michigan City and Wilmette Harbor are also assisting with the security details.

Area residents and vacationers have reported the USS Freedom was conducting high-speed trials in the bay of Green Bay on Saturday, August 2nd.

See Also: Photo Gallery of Sea Trials by Dick Lund

by Rick Barrett | Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A prototype of a smaller, speedy Navy combat ship is undergoing sea trials on Lake Michigan this week as it nears completion at a shipyard in Marinette.

The 378-foot vessel, named Freedom, has been built by the Manitowoc Marine Group, the ship-fleet division of Manitowoc Co.

Monday, the Manitowoc prototype underwent its first sea trials on Green Bay. The ship reached speeds of about 15 knots but is capable of cutting through the water much faster.

Manitowoc, as part of a team headed by Lockheed Martin Corp., will compete with another team headed by General Dynamics for the right to build the combat ships. A number of prototypes could be built and tested before the Navy settles on a final design.

The Navy envisions a competition for the ship’s final design. Eventually it could buy 55 of the warships for quick-strike operations along shallow coastlines, where enemy forces are able to hide from bigger Navy vessels.

Besides Freedom, Manitowoc is pursuing other large marine contracts that could result in millions of dollars in sales.

One of the contracts would be for a fleet of 150-foot Coast Guard cutters that would keep the company’s shipyard busy for years.

… Manitowoc, through its Marinette Marine Corp. division, has a contract to build other boats for the Coast Guard. The 45-foot boats, powered by a jet drive propulsion system, are capable of reaching speeds of 40 to 50 mph. They are meant to replace the aging fleet of 41-foot boats built more than 30 years ago.

Eventually, the Coast Guard says it could order as many as 250 of the 45-foot boats at a total value of up to $600 million.

Much more about Manitowoc’s bids, contracts and company performance at the Journal Sentinel >>

Source: Grand Haven Tribune

U.S. Coast Guard cutters Mackinaw and Biscayne Bay will make their official entrance into the Grand River Monday, marking the beginning of a busy week at the 2008 Coast Guard Festival.

The Parade of Ships begins at 1 p.m. The ships will then moor at designated positions along Escanaba Park, adjacent to the Grand Haven Coast Guard Station.

The 240-foot Mackinaw, arriving from Cheboygan, is an icebreaker and buoy tender that replaced the World War II-era Mackinaw two years ago. Mackinaw’s primary missions are maritime homeland security, ice breaking, maintenance of navigational aids, law enforcement, marine environmental protection and search and rescue operations.

The 140-foot Biscayne Bay, arriving from St. Ignace, is an icebreaking tug that keeps Great Lakes shipping routes open during the winter months.

A third ship originally scheduled to attend this year’s festival, the Mobile Bay, was instead assigned to go somewhere else, according to Lt. J.G. Hall, public affairs officer for Sector Field Office Grand Haven.

A Canadian Coast Guard ship is also scheduled to arrive later in the week.

Each of the ships will be available for public tours from Monday through Saturday. A schedule is provided below, although all times are subject to change: Read the rest of this entry »

See also, PRESQUE ISLE Repairs Continue

Source: Erie Shipping News

Repairs completed and the cofferdam removed, the PRESQUE ISLE slowly slid away from the Mountfort Terminal at 1620 hours this afternoon, turned in Presque Isle Bay and departed Erie bound for Two Harbors, Minnesota to load taconite pellets.

The repairs to the shaft seals took less than a week, despite being hampered by weather on Saturday. The quick repairs are an example of the skilled talent at Erie Sand & Gravel, Lakeshore Towing and Great Lakes Electrical Services…

More details, boats and photos at Erie Shipping News >>

Source: USCG

DETROIT - Coast Guard Sector Detroit coordinated search and rescue and a medical evacuation of a 35-year-old crewman who fell overboard from the sailing vessel Night Train during the Bayview Mackinaw Race 31 nautical miles east of Harrisville, Mich. in the early hours today.

At approximately 1:44 a.m., a Coast Guard rescue helicopter arrived on scene, however, the damaged mast/rigging did not permit a safe transfer from the small boat.

Within fifteen minutes, the 140-foot Biscayne Bay arrived on scene to assist.

The cutter sent an EMT in a small boat to assess the victim’s condition.

After discussions with crew and medical flight surgeon, it was determined that it was in the victim’s best interest to get him to a medical facility for further evaluation.

The seas had grown to three to five feet and winds were 20 knots as the cutter small boat recovered the victim and brought him to the cutter.

Once safely on board, the victim was hoisted to the helicopter.

The helicopter then safely transported the victim to Alpena Regional Hospital.

The Night Train, a 35-foot sailboat with 11 racers, was participating in the Bayview Mackinaw Race.

The boat was nearly halfway into the race in the middle of Lake Huron, when the sail boat had trouble with their sailing rigging.

A crew member climbed the sail boat’s mast to fix the jammed rigging when, for unknown reasons, he fell approximately 40 feet into the water.

It is not clear how or why the man fell.

Seas were estimated to be three to four feet and winds 15 to 20 knots.

Fortunately, the man fell clear of the boat and was wearing a life jacket.

A crew member from the sail boat called out for help on their VHF-FM radio.

Sarnia Coast Guard received the initial distress call.

Sarnia Traffic forwarded the call to U.S. Coast Guard Sector Detroit’s Command Center which launched rescue efforts and communicated the urgency via VHF-FM radio messages.

As the sail boat attempted to recover the 35-year-old man, the loose rigging fouled the engine and delayed the recovery.

Several nearby sailing vessels (sailing vessels Liberty, Time Machine, and Canadian Olympia) rushed to the Night Train’s aid as the Coast Guard launched a rescue helicopter from Air Station Detroit.

The Biscayne Bay, which was escorting the fleet, also diverted to assist.

The crew of the Night Train was able to successfully recover the man after about 25 minutes.

He was entangled in the rigging, had leg and lower back pain, but was safe on board.

At 1 a.m., the crew successfully started one of their engines and headed to Harrisville, Michigan to repair their boat and get medical attention.

This is the 84th Bayview Yacht Club Port Huron to Mackinac Race.

The race started the afternoon of July 12 from the city of Port Huron.

The competing sail boats race the new 214 nautical mile course that rounds the NOAA weather buoy 43 miles northeast of Alpena, Mich. and continuing to the finish at Mackinac Island.

The Biscayne Bay is home ported in St. Ignace, Michigan and had the honor of escorting the fleet for this year’s race. Read the rest of this entry »

Source: Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac

As in prior years, CGC Mackinaw will accompany the fleet to Mackinac Island. Commissioned in 2006, Cutter Mackinaw is the second Great Lakes Cutter to be so named. She is the largest Coast Guard Cutter serving on the Great Lakes and is designed to support all Coast Guard missions, including aids to navigation, icebreaking and law enforcement. Cutter Mackinaw is 240 feet in length, and carries nine offices and forty-seven crew members. Mackinaw or her predecessor have accompanied the Mac fleet for decades.

This year, CGC Mobile Bay will also accompany the record-breaking fleet. Commissioned in 1978, Cutter Mobile Bay serves as an icebreaker during the winter months. She performs a variety of Coast Guard missions, including servicing aids to navigation in the spring and fall, and search and rescue and law enforcement, during the summer months. Cutter Mobile Bay is 140 feet in length, and carries three offices and fourteen crew members.

‘We are absolutely delighted to have the United States Coast Guard as part of the 100th Race,’ Greg Miarecki, chairman of the Mackinac Committee, remarked. ‘Skippers and crews alike value the Coast Guard’s participation in this event. Especially in challenging conditions, it is good to know that our Coast Guard friends are keeping an eye on us. We look forward to having Cutters Mackinaw and Mobile Bay with us again this year, before, during, and after the Race.’ Miarecki added.

Commander Scott Smith, the skipper of Cutter Mackinaw, will provide a pre-Race safety briefing at the traditional skippers’ meeting, held on Friday, July 18 at 1700 hours. Commander Scott Smith remarked ‘While we are looking forward to the challenges and excitement a race like this one delivers, the safety and welfare of the race crews will be the focus of the entire team of Coast Guard units ready to assist. Although the Cutters Mackinaw and Mobile Bay will be escorting the fleet northward, Air Station Traverse City and CG Auxiliary will be providing air support and the Coast Guard Stations along the race route stand ready to assist as well.’

Chicago Yacht Club looks forward to staging a world-class, ‘once in a lifetime’ race for skippers and crews. Should you have any questions or concerns about participating in this historic running of the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, please contact Amanda Platt, Race Coordinator at 312.861.7777 or at racecoordinator@chicagoyachtclub.org. Read the rest of this entry »

Related: Click to see Video at Sarnia Observer

By JACK POIRIER | Source: Times Herald

A massive refueling dock on the St. Clair River has been shut down after a freighter crashed into the structure Friday morning.

It marks the second time in two years that a ship has crashed into the Shell refueling station north of Corunna.

Shell officials say the 730-foot CSL Spruceglen hit the north end of the dock while coming in to refuel about 9 a.m. The Spruceglen is a bulk carrier owned by Canada Steamship Lines.

“We are investigating the extent of the damage,” Shell spokeswoman Kristina Zimmer said.

Officials from the Ontario Provencial Police, the Ministry of Environment and Transport Canada were on the scene investigating. Federal officials with Transport Canada are leading the investigation.

Nothing leaked as a result of the collision, and no injuries were reported.

Damage was visible at the north end of the dock, with a large 6-inch crack encircling one of the large concrete supports. Portions of the steel dock appeared to be twisted.

Read the full story at the Times Herald >>

By TOM DAYKIN | Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

A long-simmering dispute between two Milwaukee businesses has boiled over after a cargo ship operated by St. Marys Cement Inc. collided Monday with a boat owned by Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker, docked at Skipper Bud’s marina on the Kinnickinnic River.

The ship that hit Uecker’s boat, the St. Marys Challenger, was docking at the St. Marys terminal just upriver from Skipper Bud’s when the accident occurred, said Mike Petrasky, co-owner of Skipper Bud’s. To Petrasky, it was just the latest example of Toronto-based St. Marys running roughshod over his company, which operates marinas and boat dealerships throughout Wisconsin and other states.

“They’re just a big company that figures they can get away with anything,” Petrasky said Tuesday after his lobbyist contacted the Journal Sentinel about the dispute.

For several years, ships docking at the St. Marys terminal, 2006 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., have used a portion of the riverfront along the Skipper Bud’s facility, 1919 S. Marina Drive. Because the ships are so large, they encroach along roughly 30 feet of the marina’s riverfront.

That restricts the marina’s use of the river, and the problem has worsened in recent years as St. Marys’ shipping has increased, Petrasky said. The St. Marys terminal receives deliveries of cement from Canada about 50 times a year.

Skipper Bud’s and a company that later sold the terminal to St. Marys signed a contract in 1987 that governed their use of the river, according to the city attorney’s office. But that agreement “has apparently lapsed,” and no successor agreement has been reached between the Skipper Bud’s and St. Marys, according to a May 8 letter from City Attorney Grant Langley to Eric Reinelt, city port director.

Much more to the story, photos at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel