The Neebish Island News

Many years ago researchers at Colorado State University hosted a map that showed Great Lakes Ship Locations for the last 72 hours. No, here's a live map that focuses on the St. Lawrence seaway.

From the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation: Seaway Map
[Via GL Echo]

There's also a world map of ship locations (including the Great Lakes) at SailWX.info

Labels: freighter, map

You have to know someone or win a contest if you want to get a ride on a Great Lakes freighter. But you can still make a transatlantic crossing as baggage if you plan. Here's a series of article from a couple taking this journey.

Via Slate: Grounded: A Down to Earth Journey Around the World

Labels: freighter, toursim

I heard this story back in the fall but forgot to post it.

From Interlochen Public Radio, the story of a couple who took the 1920's era John W. Boardman and turned it into a cottage. See: Detour's Freighter Cottage

Labels: cottage, freighter, history

The Soo Evening News reported the Sault Ste. Marie's City Commissioner's apoplectic response to the EPA's proposed cleaners fuel rules. See: City rallies around historic ships

The anger is a bit disingenuous as there are many complaints and a desire for something to be done when raw sewage overflows into the St. Marys River - in many ways particulate air pollution is worse as it directly contributes to premature deaths. How is working for clean air in the Great Lakes different than working for clean water? Are these complainers going to threaten to move to Mexico because the government wants to improve the well being of the public? And have they been to Mexico? Do they have any idea how bad the air quality in Mexico City is?

Also, the reporter in the story wrote "The EPA regulation is set to go in effect in December which would seemingly prevent the good ships and crews from even completing the 2009-10 shipping season." but this is inaccurate. The Lake Carriers would have had until 2015 to fully meet the emissions requirements.

A compromise has been reached however. See: Deal struck on Great Lakes ship pollution

Congressional negotiators reached a deal Tuesday that would effectively exempt 13 ships that haul iron ore, coal and other freight on the Great Lakes from a proposed federal rule meant to reduce air pollution.

A different view from Great Lakes United: Clearing the Smoke on Ship Emission Standards

Labels: freighter, law, pollution, shipping

At Flickr, posted by user elryerson85

Labels: freighter, pictures

The Chicago Tribune has the story of the only laboratory in the world that can replicate a fresh water freighter's ballast system: Great Lakes scientists seek ways to kill invasives

Labels: freighter, invasive species

The Soo Evening News had a story last week about USCG Icebreakers helping the Algosar get into port.

See: Mission Accomplished

Labels: freighter, shipping, St. Marys River

The Presque Isle, Roger Blough, and Canadian Enterprise were all waiting in the St. Marys River around Neebish Island. It took three tugs to free up the Presque Isla last night.

See BoatNerd:Ice causing delays in St. Marys River, elsewhere

Labels: freighter, St. Marys River

Via the CSMonitor: Great perils of the Great Lakes

Labels: ecology, economy, freighter, pollution, shipping, water levels

Saw this in the Boatnerd News section:

Ship Shiners Asked to Stop
10/02:
On September 22 The Evening News, Sault Ste. Marie reported that a Coast Guard official said an outbreak of nighttime ship shinnings around three critical turns in St. Mary's River channels are more a case of ignorance than criminal intent. Complaints of high-powered shore lights directed at passing ships have come from ships near Barbeau, Mission Point and the Sawmill Point area of Neebish Island. The Coast Guard suspects that boatwatchers are wielding hand-held spotlights to look over passing ships, unaware of the hazard the lights pose to ships and crew. Very dangerous at any point in night passage, the strong spotlights are especially hazardous in close-quarters channels like the lower St. Mary's. At the moment, the Coast Guard is only interested in seeking cooperation by keeping the lights off the ships, and not interested in filing charges and prosecuting.

Labels: freighter, St. Marys River

Here's a report on the 2008 get-together of the boatnerd.com folks. And with a great story name.

See: Nerds ahoy

Labels: freighter

Most people know about the Boat Nerd web site, but I recently came across Sault Boat Watching which is more applicable to the freighter traffic around Neebish Island. The site is described as "Daily happenings on the St. Mary's River near Sault Ste. Marie in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula."

While I'm at it here are some other links I recommend:
Neebish Island Resort
Iverson Snowshoes
Lake Superior Woolen Company
LSSU Fish Cam

Labels: freighter

A Canadian reporter with Sun Media recently spent some time aboard the Canadian Enterprise as it sailed the Great Lakes. He kept a blog about the experience -
A Great Lakes Pollywog's Log- and it is interesting to read about what modern life aboard a freighter is like.

Labels: freighter, shipping

From the Grand Haven Tribune - Freighter runs aground at GH pier heads

A 620-foot freighter bound for Meekhof's dock on Harbor Island ran aground at the entrance to the Grand Haven harbor late Tuesday morning.

Labels: climate, freighter, water levels

Someone took pictures of their late autumn hike to the Middle Neebish Lighthouse - dwhike's Adventure's > Middle Neebish Lighthouse, MI

You can find a map of Neebish Island with this light's location at lighthousefriends.com - Middle Neebish (Lower Nicolet) Range, MI

And there is book about tending this lighthouse. Guiding the way from Middle Neebish by Edward T. Cook. (if you buy the book after clicking that link it helps support this site)

Labels: freighter, history, water, weather

Winds halt ships: Low water levels stop freighters in their tracks

Labels: freighter, water levels, weather

A nice photo of a freighter in the fog between Neebish Island and St. Joseph Island was sent to SooNews.ca - Ghost Ship?

Be sure to click the link for the full image.

Labels: freighter, weather