St. Clair River Traffic

This past Saturday, I traveled down to Algonac for the "Official Launch Party" for the 2024 edition of Know Your Ships, as well as chasing a few boats on the St. Clair River. It was a beautiful day, highlighted by being able to see and talk to some great friends as well as meeting some great new friends!

There wasn't much traffic moving in the river, but I was able to catch Calumet and CSL St-Laurent. Flying the drone along the Saginaw River for the past three plus years is now a very comfortable thing for me. Going somewhere that I do not fly often, like the St. Clair River is a little stressful. This was only my second time flying along the St. Clair. There is much more to think about here. Canadian Airspace, more controlled airspace for airports, and just being somewhere different than you are used to. I like the challenge however. On the Saginaw River, he vessels I am taking photos of are traveling 4 knots or less. On the St. Clair River, they moving at least twice that speed, so it changes the time you have to set up and make decisions or react.

Saginaw River Passage - April 13, 2024

After spending the day in Port Huron/Marysville/St. Clair/Marine City/Algonac, I made it home just in time to catch North Dakota assisting Samuel de Champlain/Innovation in the Essexville Turning Basin. Champlain/Innovation had anchored out in Saginaw Bay during the recent high winds while Alpena stayed tied up at the Holcim Cement Dock, where she had been since Wednesday. Alpena departed Saturday morning, clearing the dock for the pair. Samuel de Champlain/Innovation finished unloading and left the dock around 6:30pm, assisted by North Dakota for her turn, along with an escort out of the river.

Saginaw River Passage - April 10, 2024 - Part 4

Algoma Intrepid on the Saginaw River, headed for the Wirt Sand & Stone Fertilizer Dock in Essexville, passing Alpena, who was unloading at the Holcim Cement Dock in Essexville.

Saginaw River Passage - April 10, 2024 - Part 3

Algoma Intrepid inbound on the Saginaw River, calling at the Wirt Sand & Stone Fertilizer Dock in Essexville to unload on the evening of April 10, 2024. 

Saginaw River Passage - April 10, 2024 - Part 2

Alpena inbound on the Saginaw River, making the dock at Holcim Cement in Essexville.

Saginaw River Passage - April 10, 2024 - Part 1

Alpena was inbound on Wednesday, calling on the Holcim Cement Dock in Essexville to make her first delivery to the Saginaw River for the 2024 season.

Saginaw River Passage - April 1, 2024

John J. Boland arrived on the Saginaw River early Monday morning, making the turn into the slip at Port Fisher to unload for Bay Aggregates in Bay City.