Saginaw River Images

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Saginaw River - 2025 in Review: September

The month of September on the Saginaw River saw 23 commercial vessel passages, six fewer than September of 2024. Alpena made her first visit of the season early in the month after her turbine repairs that delayed the start of her season. Defiance/Ashtabula made a stop at the Port Fisher Terminals Dock in Bay City, not to unload, but to receive repairs to her bow thruster, and Ryba Marine wrapped up their work dredging the Sixth Street Turning Basin, with the tug Kimberly Joy arriving to pick up equipment to move it to their next job. Vessels visiting the Saginaw River in September were American Courage, Defiance/Ashtabula, Spartan/Spartan II, Alpena, Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder, Samuel de Champlain/Innovation, Manitowoc, H. Lee White, Olive L. Moore/Menominee, and Robert S. Pierson. Some of these vessels made numerous visits this month. Here are some of my favorite photographs from September.

Sunday, January 11, 2026

Saginaw River - 2025 in Review: August

During the month of August on the Saginaw River, there were 21 commercial vessel passages, four fewer than August 2024. Ryba Marine began an emergency dredging project for the Sixth Street Turning Basin in Saginaw in August, finishing up a month later. Vessels visiting the Saginaw River in August were Saginaw, Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder, Robert S. Pierson, Samuel de Champlain/Innovation, Undaunted/Pere Marquette 41, Defiance/Ashtabula, Algoma Intrepid, Candace Elise/Robert F. Deegan, John J. Boland, G.L. Ostrander/Integrity, Algoma Compass, H. Lee White, and Olive L. Moore/Menominee. Here are some of my favorite photos from the month.

Friday, January 9, 2026

Saginaw River - 2025 in Review: July

July was the busiest month of the Shipping Season for the Saginaw River, logging 32 commercial vessel passages, five more than the previous year for July. We also had a first-time visitor, the tug Treasure Coast and barge Cement Transporter 7700. The pair started servicing the Great Lakes cement trade to assist with the cargo lost when Alpena was not able to start the season due to ongoing repairs. Vessels visiting the Saginaw River in July, some multiple times were: American Courage, Saginaw, Sam Laud, Samuel de Champlain/Innovation, Olive L. Moore/Menominee, Algoma Buffalo, Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder, Herbert C. Jackson, Calumet, John J. Boland, Treasure Coast/Cement Transporter 7700, Northern Venture. H. Lee White, Robert S. Pierson, Candace Elise/Robert F. Deegan, Sharon M I/Huron Spirit, and Defiance/Ashtabula.

Following the boats of the Saginaw River and Great Lakes

Here is a little background on my history with the boats: I have been an avid photographer and follower of the big lake freighters that carry their cargoes between the ports of the Great Lakes. During that time, a number of my photos have been used by various shipping companies and in publications from the U.S. Coast Guard, Lake Carriers Association, the Marine Legal Review, and in the annual boatwatchers bible, "Know Your Ships". I also report news and vessel passage information from the Saginaw River to both Boatnerd.com and to the local newspaper, The Bay City Times, and have been fortunate enough to have had the honor of being aboard and taking a trip on a Great Lakes Freighter. I am also a licensed U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner, Captain and deckhand for the Bay City Boat Lines, and a Deckhand for Malcom Marine, Inc.

In this blog, you will see information on the vessels that ply the waters of the Saginaw River, photos, and vessel passage information. I hope that you will enjoy what is posted here.