Great lake boats, a good video

[ArlyA]

A few stills from the Mackinaw's transit of the Front Channel. Superior, WI - December 31, 2024 The mac is a true ice breaker designed for that job.

 

[BackRoad]

That water must be hovering at 32 degrees to hold ice as in the photos. Guessing everyone is monitoring temperature forecasts pretty closely.

What's the window of risk for freezing up and hindering boat traffic?

Can it freeze up in a few hours, or is it more likely over a couple of days allowing ships to run back to home port?

 

[ArlyA]

That water must be hovering at 32 degrees to hold ice as in the photos. Guessing everyone is monitoring temperature forecasts pretty closely.

What's the window of risk for freezing up and hindering boat traffic?

Can it freeze up in a few hours, or is it more likely over a couple of days allowing ships to run back to home port?

The water is still pretty warm but seems boats can also be wintered in lower lake if need be. There is a modest ice breaker stationed at Duluth. Might be the Alder if I recall its correct name pictured below. Seems that class can break 3ft. Not to mention the Mac is there now there which is a true ice breaker. Ice build up in the fall doesn't happen very often.

The little ice you see in harbors now can restrict water to thrusters which is the only problem it cases.

I

 

[ArlyA]

This evening (Jan 1, 2025), the James R. Barker made its first visit of 2025 to Silver Bay MN! Watching this impressive vessel maneuver, turn, and back into the dock was such a treat. To top it all off, the sky cleared just in time for a stunning sunset, making the moment even more magical. Who can even tell if the Barker is using his bow thruster?? (A 1,500 horsepower Bird-Johnson thruster)

 

[ArlyA]

Speaking or ice! Everyone knows what a pilot boat is?
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The Waiska Pilot making her way around newly formed ice fields above the Soo Locks on 21 December 2024. She is the pilot boat that we use out of Brimley, MI. When ice gets too thick on the Waiska River we have to operate from the MCM Dock below the Soo Locks. When the ice gets too think in the upper river then we have a tug capable of some ice breaking capability we use to finish out our season.

 

[ArlyA]

With the Sabin Lock nearing construction completion on January 13, 1919, workers assemble the lower guard gates. These gates are 51-feet high and each leaf measures 45.5-feet long.

 

[ArlyA]

FEDERAL FRONTIER (2021 Marshall Islands) was loading grain at Viterra A Elevator in the Port of Thunder Bay CA on December 10, 2024. HARVEST SPIRIT (2012 Canada) was loading at Viterra B Elevator. FEDERAL YOSHINO (2001 Marshall Islands) was unloading potash onto FEDERAL MICHIGAN (2024 Marshall Islands) at Keefer Terminal. The unloading was necessary due to mechanical issues on the Federal Yoshino. Yoshino eventually went to the Ontario Shipyards dry dock. RT.HON.PAUL J.MARTIN (1973 Canada) was docked at Keefer Terminal.— at Port of Thunder Bay. Seems the Federal MI does not have a bulbous bow which may be to allow for larger cargo capacity in locks.

 

[ArlyA]

Indiana Harbor arrived at CN Dock in Duluth last evening with an ice assist from tug Missouri. Duluth, MN - January 2/3, 2025.

 

[gstrom99]

Indiana Harbor arrived at CN Dock in Duluth last evening with an ice assist from tug Missouri. Duluth, MN - January 2/3, 2025.View attachment 2123680

Those BNSF locomotives look like toys in that pic.

 

[ArlyA]

Rare visit by the John D. Leitch of the Algoma fleet at the BNSF to load ore for Hamilton, Ontario. The unique laker departed this morning with 28,117 tons under a beautiful blue sky. The tug Missouri doing an ice assist. Superior, WI - January 5, 2025