Great lake boats, a good video

[ArlyA]

The USCG Spar buoy tender home-ported in Duluth, Minnesota. The ship maintains aids to navigation in the Twin Ports and Great Lakes. It is now in Thunder Bay CA doing some light ice breaking for spring. Our nations, Canada and the USA share the upkeep of the shipping channels. Our nations are so, so interconnected.

 

[ArlyA]

News Release: Soo Locks to open early for 2025 shipping season

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District will open the Poe Lock, part of the Soo Locks, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan early to all marine traffic at 8 a.m. on March 21, marking the start of the 2025 Great Lakes shipping season.

The shipping industry requested an early season opening based on the understanding that “the 2025 winter lock maintenance will be completed by this date and an early opening will not impact U.S. Army Corps operations this season,” said Lake Carriers’ Association President James Weakley.
“Opening the Soo Locks on March 21 will provide relief to the increased pressure that the Great Lakes Navigation System will face with the influx of foreign vessels including the Canadian domestic fleet on March 22 when the Seaway opens,” said Weakley.
“Our winter maintenance period is a critical time for us to execute strategic asset renewal investments in our aging locks,” Soo Locks Operations Manager LeighAnn Ryckeghem said. “This year, a number of factors worked in our favor that allowed us to safely deliver this critical maintenance and also open to navigation traffic a few days early.”

 

[ArlyA]

Throwback shot from last year- Paul R. Tregurtha scooting up into the locks. Who can see the front thruster in use?

 

[ArlyA]

Ice jam off Duluth entry in April 1984. Coast Guard 140-foot icebreaker is assisting Ernest R. Breech (far left). Also stuck are Incan Superior, Kinsman Independent and another boat believed to be an Algoma boat.

This jam lasted for several days. The Breech finally powered through it but the others had to wait for the wind to shift. The Soviet freighter Tim Buck arrived and, with its hull designed for arctic use, slid right through the ice like it wasn't there.

 

[old and tired]

...The Soviet freighter Tim Buck

Sorry for my childish behavior... Reminds me of the joke ending with "...Tim Buck two"

 

[J&K]

I see the Locks are gonna open a little early this year. March 21st.

 

[ArlyA]

Great Lakes tug Missouri's first move of the new season had her softening ice around the American Century this morning. The Century is slated to load coal at Midwest Energy on March 22, but with the Poe opening earlier, that could change. Superior, WI - March 15, 2025

 

[ArlyA]

What a photo! Upper Lakes & St. Lawrence Transportation Company, Ltd's whaleback John Ericsson passes a tank barge, believed to be Blue Line 105, below Lock 3 in the Welland Canal in 1949.

 

[ArlyA]

Kind of interesting sail times from the Soo locks.

 

[ArlyA]

Tug/barge Clyde S VanEnkevort/Erie Trader arriving in the Soo to be first in line to lock through tomorrow morning. 3-20-25