Saginaw River Images

Monday, April 27, 2026

Saginaw River Passage - April 26, 2026: G.L. Ostrander/Integrity

The 2026 shipping season finally began on the Saginaw River, Sunday evening, with the arrival of the tug G.L Ostrander and her barge, Integrity. The pair called on the Amrize Cement Dock in Essexville to finish unloading powdered cement after unloading a partial cargo in Detroit before coming here. While it was a very late start to the season here, it was not the latest. That distinction goes to the 2014 season, when Olive L. Moore/Lewis J. Kuber opened the season on April 29th, delivering a cargo to Bay Aggregates. You can also see the new “AmRize” paint on the sides of the barge, new from last season reflecting the change from “Holcim”.

Sunday, April 12, 2026

St. Clair River - April 11, 2026: Kaministiqua/Algoluna/Tug Welland

This is it, finally.... the last of the photos from my trip to the St. Clair River. These photos feature the Kaministiqua passing Algoluna in Sarnia, before meeting the tug Welland who would assist her into the North Slip. April 11, 2026

St. Clair River - April 11, 2026: North Slip/Sarnia

The photo quality is not a good for these, as I had to use the 3x & 7x zoom lenses on the drone to capture the photos, but here are some shots across the St. Clair River into Sarnia, the North Slip, and surrounding area. Featured are Saginaw, Robert S. Pierson, Algoma Innovator, Jiimaan, and the Huron Lightship. Photos taken 4/11/26

St. Clair River - April 11, 2026: Labrador

Here is the salty, Labrador, upbound on the St. Clair River on Saturday, near Algonac State Park. Photos taken 4/11/26

St. Clair River - April 11, 2026: Kaministiqua

Continuing with the "St. Clair River Sunday" theme, I caught Kaministiqua at anchor near DTE/Recors Pt. I had never photographed her before while she was sailing for Lower Lakes, so I was happy to catch her so early on with the new Algoma colors on her stack. I was able to catch her again later in the day while underway. I will post those photos later. I generally dislike taking photos along the St. Clair River from the U.S. side in the morning. It is tricky and the sun is generally not your friend, but I am pretty happy with these! Photos taken 4/11/26

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.