Saginaw River Passage - May 13, 2026: Manitowoc

Manitowoc arrived on the Saginaw River early Wednesday morning, stopping first at the Wirt Stone Dock in Bay City for a partial unload, then continuing upriver to finish unloading at the Burroughs North - 1st Street Dock in Saginaw to finish unloading.  Manitowoc was the first vessel of the season to go all the way up the river to the Sixth Street Turning Basin.  A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers survey vessel was also active on the Saginaw River on Wednesday.  Photos taken 5/13/26

Saginaw River Passage - May 12, 2026: Iver Bright

Iver Bright on the Saginaw River at sunrise, as they prepare to depart about 30 minutes later, after unloading overnight for Bit-Mat Products of Michigan.  Photos taken 5/12/26.

Saginaw River Passage - May 11, 2026: Iver Bright & North Dakota

The second time was the charm for Iver Bright, entering the Saginaw River this morning with the assistance of tug North Dakota. She tied up in the slip at Port Fisher to unload for Bit-Mat Products of Michigan. Iver bright had been scheduled earlier in the season, arriving on the Saginaw Bay April 2nd and going to anchor at Light 1, unable to enter the Saginaw River due to unsafe outflow. Photos taken 5/11/26

The conditions were tough for photography this morning however, with the sun continually going in and out of the clouds, causing over and under exposure situations and areas in sunlight with others not. It was constant aperture adjustments. I miss the days of shooting in Auto mode.... lol

Saginaw River Passage - May 10, 2026: Defiance/Ashtabula

The tug Defiance and her self-unloading barge, Ashtabula, were inbound on the Saginaw River early Sunday morning.  The pair made the turn, entering the Port Fisher Slip to unload for Bay Aggregates on a beautiful Mother's Day morning.  Photos taken 5/10/26