End of the Season?

The weather is getting colder and ice has formed on the Saginaw River. It has been weeks since the last laker called on the river with a cargo to deliver and 2009 will go down in the record books as a disappointment for ship watchers, shipping companies, dock owners, and the industry in general.

It is my hope we will still see a late season delivery or two, but it does not look too promising. Look for my year in review in the coming weeks and some other items of interest posted here over the winter.

Saginaw River Update

It has been eight days since the last visit by a commercial vessel on the Saginaw River. The usual end of season rush never really happened this year as most docks along the river already had a large quanity of product sitting on the ground.

Saginaw River Passage - December 7th

On Monday, the USCG Cutter Hollyhock was working aids to navigation in the Saginaw River Entrance Channel, removing lighted summer buoys and replacing them with winter marks. Also on Monday, Indiana Harbor called on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville to unload coal. She completed her unload and backed from the dock later in the day.

November Passages and Year to Date Report

The number of commercial vessel passages on the Saginaw River for the month of November totaled just 17. This is down eight passages from 2008. For the year to date, there have been 158 commercial vessel passages as compared to 201 in 2008, for a decrease of 43 over the same time period.

If you look at these numbers as compared to the five year average, November shows a decrease of 9 passages over the average of 26. Looking at the year to date, you see a decrease of 86 based on the five year average of 244.

The biggest difference appears when you compare 2005 against 2009, for a decrease of 165 vessel passages.

Saginaw River Passage - December 5th & 6th

Saturday saw the return of the tug Joe Thompson, Jr. and barge Joseph H. Thompson to the Bay City Wirt Stone dock. After unloading sugar stone there on Wednesday, the pair was back again with another load for the growing pile. They were outbound later in the day. On Sunday, Olive L. Moore-Lewis J. Kuber called on the Saginaw River with a split load. Just like on Thursday, the pair lightered at Bay City Wirt before heading upriver to finish at the Saginaw Wirt dock. The Moore and Kuber turned Sunday night and were heading outbound for the lake.

Saginaw Passage - December 3rd

The Olive L. Moore, with the Lewis J. Kuber, called on the Saginaw River Thursday with a split load. The pair lightered at the Bay City Wirt Dock before heading upriver to finish unloading at the Saginaw Wirt dock. The Moore & Kuber then turned at Sixth Street and were outbound for the lake.

Saginaw River Passage - December 2nd

The tug Joe Thompson with the barge Joseph H. Thompson called on the Saginaw River on Wednesday. The pair stopped at the Wirt Stone Dock in Bay City to unload. The were expected to be outbound late Wednesday or Early Thursday morning. The is the first visit of 2009 for the Thompson's to the Saginaw River.

Saginaw River Passage - November 30th

Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber were inbound on the Saginaw River on Monday with a split load. The pair lightered at the Essexville Sargent dock, before heading upriver towards Saginaw to finish unloading. It is not yet known what dock she is bound for, but I will include it with tomorrow's report.

Saginaw River Passage - November 29th

Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. called on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville on Sunday. She completed her unload and was outbound late in the evening, backing out into the Saginaw Bay to turn and head for the lake.

Saginaw River Passage - November 24th & 25th

The Adam E. Cornelius made her first visit to the Saginaw River this season, calling on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City on Tuesday. She completed her unload and was outbound for the lake later in the day.

On Wednesday, the tug Joyce L. Van Enkevort with the barge Great Lakes Trader called on the Bay City Wirt dock to unload. She was expected to be outbound late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

Saginaw River Passage - November 20th

The Olive L Moore & Lewis J. Kuber were inbound early Friday morning, calling on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City to unload. The pair were outbound later in the day headed for the lake.

Saginaw River Passage - November 18th

The tug Zeus and her tank barge arrived on the Saginaw River Wednesday morning, calling on the Dow Chemical dock in Bay City to unload. The pair were expected to be outbound on Thursday.

Saginaw River Passage - November 16th

The Saginaw River has been quiet for the past few days, so it was nice to see an old friend call on the river for the first time this season. Manistee was inbound on Monday headed upriver to unload at the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee. She completed her unload and was outbound for the lake Monday evening.

Saginaw River Passage - November 12th

The tug Dorothy Ann and barge Pathfinder arrived on the Saginaw River overnight and were unloading at the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City on Thursday morning. They completed their unload and were outbound for the lake by mid morning.

Saginaw River Shipping Volume Declines For The Fifth Year

The following article appeared in the Sunday, November 8th Bat City Times
by Kathryn Lynch-Morin

Continuing a five-year trend, 2009 proved commercial shipping on the Saginaw River is still on a downturn.

However, dock owners and shipping analysts agree that recent dredging is saving the river as a shipping port.

Todd Shorkey, who reports vessel passages to the online group boatnerd.com, said as of Oct. 31 this year there were 141 commercial vessel passages making deliveries to docks along the Saginaw River.

That’s down from 176 vessel passages in 2008, and down from a five-year average of 217 vessel passages per year. About 296 vessel passages were made during the same time period in 2005.

“So, it is quite easy to see that 2009 has not been a good year for shipping on the Saginaw River,” Shorkey said. “There has been a downward trend each year for the past five years.”

A poor economy gets some of the blame, lowering demand for the high-volume products moved by lake freighters.

Despite the decline, many companies in the Great Lakes Bay Region still rely on shipping as a means of transportation.

William G. Webber, president of the Saginaw River Alliance — a group of 22 companies that use the river for moving materials — attributes a lot of shipping traffic this year to materials needed for construction work on road projects such as Interstate 675 in Saginaw County and Center Avenue in Bay County.

“State highway work in Bay City and Saginaw have been the largest movers of construction stone,” said Webber, who owns Sargent Docks and Terminal Inc., which has facilities in Essexville and Saginaw.

According to Shorkey, the Wirt Stone Dock in Bay City had the most traffic in 2009 with 29 deliveries, followed by the Wirt Stone Dock in Saginaw with 27 deliveries and the Bay Aggregates dock in Bangor Township with 25 deliveries.

Even though the stone docks saw the most traffic this year, Webber said stone sales are very slow because of the economy.

Construction at Hemlock Semiconductor Group in Saginaw County’s Thomas Township, in addition to Great Lakes Bay Regional agriculture, also contributed to the need for shipping traffic. Webber cited Michigan Sugar Co. as a strong base with its needs for kiln limestone, coal, potash, urea and other fertilizers. He said the POET Biorefining ethanol plant in Caro also helped the river shipping industry with its need for pot ash.

Dredging projects on the Saginaw River began in May and removed more than 200,000 cubic yards in an area from Bay City south to Saginaw.

“Dredging has saved the Saginaw River,” Webber said. “We can now turn ships and have removed the worst shoals. Next, we will be able to deepen the channel, which will result in tremendous shipping efficiencies.”

A shoal is an area of shallow water that serves as a navigation hazard to ships.

More than $4 million has poured in to the dredging project so far and $5 million has been spent to create a dredged material disposal facility on the Bay-Saginaw county line.

Another $3.4 million is earmarked by the federal government to dredge the river in five spots next year between the Sixth Street turning basin and Saginaw Bay. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expects to remove 339,000 cubic yards from the bay and 107,500 cubic yards from the bottom of the river.

Jim Koski, Saginaw County Public Works commissioner, said the dredging project will lead to confidence and investing in Saginaw River shipping.

“It was really hard to get somebody to invest in the Saginaw River, but now we are the safest inland port on the Great Lakes,” Koski said. “Now we can go out and say we’ve got a port that will be here 75 to 100 years from now.”

The Saginaw News contributed to this report.

Saginaw River Passage - November 8th

The tug Olive L. Moore and barge Lewis J. Kuber were inbound early Sunday morning with a split load. The pair lightered at the Bay City Wirt Stone dock before continuing upriver to finish at the Saginaw Wirt dock. The Moore & Kuber were outbound Sunday evening.

Saginaw River Passages - November 5th

The Algoway was back again Thursday morning, this time calling on the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee with a load of salt. She was also joined by the Calumet who arrived with a split load for the Bay City and Saginaw Wirt Stone docks. Algoway departed the Sargent dock late in the morning, going up to Sixth Street to turn. She then stopped back at Sargent and tied up until the early in the evening while waiting for more favorable wind conditions before departing. Calumet was outbound during the afternoon passing the Algoway at Sargent and then the inbound Olive L. Moore-Lewis J. Kuber who were just arriving at the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City to unload. The Moore and Kuber were expected to depart late Thursday night or early Friday morning.

Saginaw River Passages - November 3rd

During the early morning hours on Tuesday, the Algoway was outbound from the Saginaw Rock Products dock, headed for the lake. On her way out, she passed the inbound Calumet, who was bound for the GM Stone dock in Saginaw. Also inbound Tuesday morning was the Indiana Harbor, calling on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville. Both the Calumet and Indiana Harbor were outbound late Tuesday afternoon, heading for the lake.

October Vessel Passage Report

For the month of October, there were 22 vessel passages in the Saginaw River. This is one more than in October of 2008, but still well below the five year average of 31 commercial passages. For the year, there have been 141 passages on the Saginaw river, a decrease of 36 from 2008 and a whopping 76 below the five year average.

Saginaw River Passage - November 1st

The Algoway was inbound the Saginaw River early Monday morning, calling on the Saginaw Rock Products dock in Saginaw to unload. As of 8:30pm on Monday she was still at the dock.

Saginaw River Passages - October 28th & 29th

Traffic has been brisk as of late on the Saginaw River. On Tuesday, the tugs Steven Selvick and Krista S arrived with two barges of equipment for the Consumers Energy dock. The pair departed on Thursday after unloading. This is the fourth delivery to Consumers by Selvick tugs in the past few months. Wednesday saw the arrival of the Calumet and and Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber. Calumet unload at the Bay City Wirt dock, finishing up early Thursday morning, turning off the dock and departing for the lake. Once she passed the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City, the Moore & Kuber backed from the slip where they had unloaded overnight and also headed for the lake behind the Calumet.

Thursday morning saw the arrival of Algoma Marine vessels Agawa Canyon and Algorail. The Canyon unloaded salt at the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee while the Algorail tied up just behind her at the Burroughs dock to wait her turn to unload at Sargent. Agawa Canyon departed Thursday night headed for the lake and clearing the way for the Algorail to unload. This is Algorail's first visit of 2009 to the Saginaw River.

Saginaw River Passages - October 26th & 27th

Calumet unloading at the Sargent Essexville dock on tuesday
The Walter J. McCarthy called on the Consumers Energy dock on Monday to unload coal. She finished her unload and backed out into the Saginaw Bay to turn at Light 12 before heading for the for the lake. On Tuesday, the Calumet called on the Sargent dock in Essexville to unload. She had finished and turned off the dock to head for the lake by late Tuesday afternoon.

Saginaw River Passage - October 24th

The American Courage made her first visit of the season to the Saginaw River on Saturday. She traveled up to the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City to unload. The American Courage was expected to be outbound late Saturday night.

Saginaw River Passage - October 19th

The tug-barge combo Olive L. Moore-Lewis J. Kuber called on the Saginaw River early on Monday with a split load. The pair lightered at the Bay City Wirt dock, before continuing upriver to finish unloading at the Saginaw Wirt dock. The Moore & Kuber turned and were outbound for the lake later in the day.

Saginaw River Passage - October 18th

The Manitowoc arrived on the Saginaw River during the morning hours on Sunday and traveled upriver to the Burroughs dock in Zilwaukee. After unloading, she turned in the Sixth Street Basin and was outbound for the lake during the afternoon. This was the 16th visit to the Saginaw River by the Manitowoc this season.

Saginaw River Passages - October 14th

The tug Barbara Andrie with her tank barge called on the Bit-Mat dock in Bay City on Wednesday. She was followed by the Indiana Harbor, who called on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville. Once unloaded, the Harbor backed from the dock and out to Light 12 in the Saginaw Bay to turn and head for the lake. The Barbara Andrie and her barge were outbound early Thursday morning after finishing their unload.

Saginaw River Passages - October 12th & 13th

The tug Olive L. Moore with the Lewis J. Kuber arrived on the Saginaw River on Monday with a split load. The pair lightered at the Sargent dock in Essexville before moving upriver to finish at the Saginaw Rock Products dock in Saginaw. The Moore and Kuber then turned in the Sixth Street basin and headed outbound for the lake. On their way out, they passed the inbound Algoway who was headed to the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee to unload. Once finished, the Algoway also turned at Sixth Street and headed for the lake Monday evening. The tugs John M. Selvick and Krista S. were both outbound with their barges on Monday after calling on the Consumers Energy dock early on Sunday.

Saginaw River Passage - October 11th

The tug John M. Selvick & Krista S were back on the Saginaw River on Saturday with their third visit of the season to the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville. The tugs and their barges have been delivering equipment to the facility since early in September. Both vessels were still at the dock as of late Sunday evening.

Saginaw River Passages - October 9th

The Calumet arrived on the Saginaw River on a very rainy Friday morning, calling on the Sargent dock in Essexville to unload. By early evening, she had completed her unload, turned and was headed outbound for the lake. On her way out, Calumet passed her fleetmate, Manitowoc, who was inbound for the GM dock in Saginaw. Manitowoc was expected to be finished unloading and back outbound early Saturday morning.

Saginaw River Passage - October 8th

The tug Undaunted, pushing the barge Pere Marquette 41, entered the Saginaw River Thursday afternoon calling on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City. The pair were unloading late into Thursday evening and were expected to be outbound very late Thursday or early Friday morning.



Undaunted & Pere Marquette 41 upbound nearing the Bay Aggregates dock

Saginaw River Passages - Sept 30th through October 5th

The Saginaw River has seen a number of passages the past week. On Wednesday, the tug Zeus and her tank barge departed the Dow Chemical dock in Bay City after unloading and was outbound for the lake. The pair passed the inbound Manitowoc, who was headed upriver to unload at the GM dock in Saginaw. To start off October, the Calumet was inbound with a split load for the Bay City and Saginaw Wirt Stone Docks on Friday. Late Saturday saw the Agawa Canyon inbound for the Buena Vista dock in Saginaw. She stopped briefly at the Essroc dock in Essexville on her way in to wait for water levels to come back up. The Olive L. Moore/Lewis J. Kuber were inbound on Monday with a split load. The pair lightered at the Bay Aggregates dock before heading upriver to finish at the Buena Vista dock. The Moore and Kuber were outbound Monday night.
On an interesting note, the crew of the Manitowoc witnessed a man jump from the I-75/Zilwaukee Bridge in Saginaw. After getting closer, they reported to U.S.C.G. Station Saginaw River the man had swam to shore and was lying on the ground.

September Vessel Passage Report

Commercial vessel passages on the Saginaw River for the month of September totaled 23. This is equal to the number of passages for the same month last year and down eight passages compared to the 5-year average. Looking at the year to date, there have been 119 passages in 2009. This is 36 fewer passages as compared to the same time period in 2008, and 68 fewer passages as compared to the 5-year average of 187.

Update

Hi Everyone,

I apologize for the lack of updates. I have been on vacation, camping with my family. Regular updates will return in a few days along with a report on all of the activity that took place while I was away and the vessel passage report for the month of September.

Thank you for your patience.

Saginaw River Passages - September 27th

The tug Zeus and her tank barge were inbound the Saginaw River late Sunday afternoon calling on the Dow Chemical in Bay City dock to unload. Also inbound late Sunday was the American Century, calling on the Consumers Energy dock to unload coal.

Saginaw River Passages - September 24th & 25th

The Calumet called on the Sargent dock in Essexville on Thursday, dropping her entire cargo there, once finished she turned and was headed for the lake later in the day. Also inbound on Thursday was the tug Gregory J. Busch and the deck barge STC 2004. The pair called on the Bay Aggregates dock where they remained until late, when they continued upriver to their dock in Carrollton. Outbound on Thursday were the tugs John M. Selvick and Steven Selvick along with their barges. They had been unloading equipment at the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville.

Friday morning saw the Agawa Canyon inbound for the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee and the tug Olive L. Moore and barge Lewis J. Kuber with a split load for the Bay City and Saginaw Wirt Stone docks. The Agawa Canyon was outbound for the lake Friday evening, passing the upbound Moore & Kuber, at Sargent Zilwaukee.

Saginaw River Passages - September 22nd & 23rd

The after unloading during the early morning hours on Tuesday, the Calumet and the Dorothy Ann - Pathfinder were outbound from the Saginaw River later in the morning. Arriving early on Wednesday, the tug John M. Selvick and the tug Steven Selvick, each with a deck barge, called on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville. Both barges carried large pieces of equipment for the power plant. They remained at the dock late Wednesday night. Also inbound on Wednesday were the tug & barge combo of the Olive L. Moore and Lewis J. Kuber. The pair lightered at the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City, before continuing upriver during the afternoon to finish at the Buena Vista dock in Saginaw. The Moore and Kuber were outbound late Wednesday evening.

Saginaw River Passages - September 21st & 22nd

After spending the afternoon out in the Saginaw Bay waiting for water levels to come back up, the Algoway finally came into the river Monday night and traveled upriver to unload at the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee. Not far behind the Algoway was the Dorothy Ann & Pathfinder, calling on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City to unload. Overnight, the Calumet arrived, heading upriver to unload at the GM dock in Saginaw.

Algoway was preparing to depart the Sargent dock at 6am on Tuesday. The Dorothy Ann & Pathfinder were also expected to be outbould later in the morning.

Saginaw River Passages - September 18th & 19th

Tug Jill Marie departing the Kingfish Dock

The Calumet was inbound the Saginaw River late Friday, calling on the GM dock in Saginaw. She finished her unload and was outbound Saturday morning, passing through Bay City during the afternoon.

The Saginaw River Marine Historical Society held their annual ride day on Saturday, allowing members to ride both the Hiawatha, which is the last operational Walking Beam Side-wheeler in the world. and the historic tug Jill Marie, which was built in 1891.



Calumet at the Liberty Bridge


Steamboat Hiawatha passing the Appledore V

Saginaw River Passages - September 16th

The American Century arrived on the Saginaw River Wednesday morning, calling on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville to unload. Inbound later in the day was the tug Barbara Andrie and her tank barge. The pair called on the SEM Materials dock in Essexville. This is the first commercial traffic on the Saginaw River since September 10.

Saginaw River Passage - September 10th

Tug Krista S. at the Consumers Energy Dock

The Agawa Canyon was inbound early Thursday morning with a cargo of Salt for the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee. She laid to at the Essroc Dock in Essexville to wait for the outbound Olive L. Moore & Lewis J. Kuber to clear, then resumed her trip upriver to Zilwaukee. The Canyon completed her unload and was outbound for the lake Thursday evening. Also outbound on Thursday were the Calumet River Fleeting tugs John M. Selvick and Krista S. along with two barges. They had been unloading equipment over the past few days for the Consumers Energy power plant in Essexville.


Wide view showing the barge Big 903


BONUS PHOTO: recreational tug "Tugboat Annie" at the Bay City Yacht Club

Saginaw River Passages - September 9th

The tug John M. Selvick called on the Consumers Energy dock on Wednesday with a couple of barges of equipment for Consumers. She remained at the dock late Wednesday evening.

The Olive L. Moore and Lewis J. Kuber, workhorses of the Saginaw River, were back again on Wednesday with a split load. The pair lightered at the Bay City Wirt dock before continuing upriver during the evening to finish unloading at the Saginaw Wirt dock. They were expected to be outbound Thursday morning.

Saginaw River Passage - September 6th & 7th

The Indiana Harbor made her first appearance of the season on the Saginaw River, arriving Sunday morning to unload coal at the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville. She completed her unload later in the day, backed from the dock out to entrance channel buoy 14, turned, and headed for the lake. Also inbound on Sunday was the Calumet with a split cargo for the Writ Stone docks in Bay City and Saginaw. After completed her unloads, she was outbound from the Sixth Street Basin in Saginaw early Monday morning.
The Olive L. Moore & Lewis J. Kuber were back again Monday morning, carrying a split load for the Sargent dock in Essexville and the Wirt Stone dock in Saginaw. The pair completed their unloads and were outbound for the lake from Sixth Street Monday night.

Saginaw River Passage - September 5th

The Olive L. Moore & Lewis J. Kuber called on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City on Saturday. The pair unloaded there through the afternoon before departing and heading for the lake ealry Saturday evening.

Saginaw River Passages - September 1st

The Olive L. Moore & Lewis J. Kuber moved upriver overnight from the Sargent dock in Essexville to the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee to finish unloading. As the pair vacated the Essexville dock, the Invincible & McKee Sons took their place to lighter, before continuing upriver to finish at the Saginaw Rock Products dock in Saginaw. Both vessels were outbound during the day on Tuesday.

Saginaw River Passages - August 30th & 31st

The H. Lee White made her first visit of 2009 to the Saginaw River
on Sunday, calling on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City during the
late morning. Once unloaded, she backed from the slip and headed
outbound for the lake later in the day. Monday evening saw the Olive
L. Moore & Lewis J. Kuber inbound for the Sargent dock in Essexville
to unload.

Saginaw River Passages - August 29th

Click on the above image to see 1,844 feet, 10 inches of Great Lakes Freighter

The tug Joyce L. Van Enkevort and barge Great Lakes Trader called on the Saginaw River Friday evening for their first visit of 2009. They unloaded overnight at the Bay City Wirt dock, then, Saturday morning, backed from the dock, out of the river, and out to Light 12 in the bay to turn and head for the lake. The pair passed the Water J. McCarthy, Jr. who was at the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville. The McCarthy had arrived Saturday morning and was unloading coal.


Joyce L passing the Walter J. McCarty, Jr.


McCarthy, Jr. at Consumers Energy


Joyce L. & Great Lakes Trader backing out of the Saginaw River


Backing past the North Star dock in Essexville

Saginaw River Passage - August 26th

The Frontenac called on the Essroc dock in Essexville on Wednesday to unload clinker. She completed her unload Thursday morning then backed from the river into the Saginaw Bay to turn at Light 12, before heading for the lake.

Saginaw River Passage - August 25th

The Calumet returned again on Tuesday after delivering a split cargo on Monday. This trip, Calumet traveled up to the Burroughs dock in Zilwaukee to unload. She was expected to be outbound early Wednesday morning.

Saginaw River Passage - August 24th

Calumet outbound at Cass Avenue

The Calumet arrived on the Saginaw River late Sunday night carrying a split load. She stopped at the Wirt Stone dock in Bay City to lighter before continuing upriver to finish at the Wirt dock in Saginaw. Calumet finished unloading early Monday morning, turned, and was outbound through Bay City around 10am.

Saginaw River Passages - August 20th

The Invincible-McKee Sons made their first trip of the year to the Saginaw River on Wednesday, going upriver to unload at the GM dock in Saginaw. The pair finished their unload and were outbound for the lake later in the day. On the outbound trip, they passed their fleetmate, Manitowoc, unloading at the Sargent dock in Essexville. Manitowoc unloaded there overnight and then turned in the Essexville turning basin before heading for the lake Thursday morning. Thursday evening saw the American Century call on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville to unload. She was expected to be outbound late Thursday night or early Friday morning.

Saginaw River Passage - August 18th

The Manitowoc was inbound Monday evening with a split load. She lightered at the Wirt Stone Dock in Bay City before proceeding upriver to finish at the Wirt dock in Saginaw. Completing her unload Tuesday morning, Manitowoc turned in the Sixth Street basin and was outbound for the lake shortly after.

Saginaw River Passages - August 15th

G.L. Ostrander & Integrity upbound at Cass Avenue on Saturday

The tug Zeus and her tank barge were inbound for the Dow Chemical dock in Bay City during the early morning hours of Saturday. The pair remained there through the day and into the late evening. Also inbound on Saturday was the tug G.L. Ostrander with the cement barge Integrity. The pair traveled upriver to the LaFarge Cement dock in Carrollton. They finished thier unload and were outbound for the lake late Saturday evening. This was both the first visit by the Ostrander/Integrity and the first to the LaFarge dock in 2009.

Another view

Saginaw River Passages - August 10th to August 14th

Hi all! I am back from vacation and evidently I didn't miss much on the Saginaw River. I would like to thank Steve Hause for the following report from while I was away:

Shipping activity remains slow on the Saginaw River with only two arrivals logged so far this week. The tug Undaunted with barge Pere Marquette 41 arrived Thursday morning at the Bay Aggregates dock. Walter J. McCarthy Jr. called at the Consumers Energy Dock on Sunday afternoon, the first visit of the season for the vessel.

Saginaw River Passage - August 9th

The Michipicoten made a rare visit to the Saginaw River early Sunday morning, claaing on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City. She completed her unload and was outbound for the lake before sunrise.

Saginaw River Passage - August 5th

The Agawa Canyon arrived on the Saginaw River early Wednesday morning to break the dry spell of vessels we have been experiencing. She traveled upriver to the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee to unload, finishing by early afternoon. The Canyon turned in the Sixth Street basin and was outbound through Bay City around 2:30 .

Saginaw River Passage - August 1, 2009

Saturday morning saw the arrival of the Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber with a spilt load for the Bay City & Saginaw Wirt Stone docks. The pair lightered in Bay City and were then upbound for Saginaw before noon. Finishing their unload in Saginaw, the Moore & Kuber turned at Sixth Street and were outbound for the lake Saturday night.

End of month report for July

As has been the trend so far in 2009, and for the past few years for that matter, vessel passages have been below average. For the month of July, there were 22 commercial vessel passages. This was three below last July and 10 below the five year average of 32.

For the year to date, there have been 78 commercial vessel passages. This is down 20 from last year at this point, and 46 below the five year average. If you look back to 2005, we are a whopping 95 vessel passages below where we were during the same time period.

Saginaw River Passage - July 29th

The tug Undaunted and barge Pere Marquette 41 entered the Saginaw River early Wednesday morning heading upriver to Saginaw. Her security call indicated the pair were headed to the Wirt Stone Dock to unload. They were still in the upper river late Wednesday night. The tug Karen Andrie and tank barge Endeavour remained at the Dow Chemical dock on Wednesday.

Saginaw River Passages - July 28th

The American Century was inbound the Saginaw River early Tuesday morning, calling on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville to unload. She completed her unload later in the morning, backing from the dock and turning at Light 12, before heading for the lake. The tug Karen Andrie and barge Endeavour finished unloading at the SEM Materials dock in Essexville on Tuesday, then turned and tied up at the Dow Chemical dock in Bay City. They reported that they could be there a few days just like they were after their last trip when they unloaded at the Bit-Mat dock.

Saginaw River Passage - July 27

Karen Andrie out of the notch at the SEM Materials Dock

The tug Karen Andrie was inbound the Saginaw River on Monday morning, pushing her tank barge, Endeavour. The pair called on the SEM Materials dock in Essexville to unload. They were expected to be outbound early Tuesday morning.

Saginaw River Passages - July 25th

Two vessels made their first appearances of the season on the Saginaw River on Friday. The Maumee called on the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee, while the tug Dorothy Ann and barge Pathfinder called on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City. Both vessels were outbound during the day on Friday.

Saginaw River Passages - July 21st & 22nd

The tug Karen Andrie, with the tank barge Endeavour, departed the Dow Chemical dock in Bay City on Tuesday headed for the lake. The pair had arrived on July 14th. The American Century was inbound on Tuesday, calling on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville to unload coal. She was outbound early Wednesday morning. Inbound on Wednesday was the the tug Olive L. Moore, with the barge Lewis J. Kuber. The pair lightered at the Bay City Wirt Stone dock before continuing upriver to finish unloading at the Wirt Stone dock in Saginaw. The Moore & Kuber were expected to be outbound late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

Saginaw River Passages - July 13th through July 20th

OK. I am home from my camping vacation with my family. Here is what happened on the Saginaw River the week I was gone:


On Monday, July 13th, the tug Superior departed the Essroc dock in Essexville with Luedtke Derrick Boat 16 and two dump scows in tow, headed for the lake. The Algoway called on the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee to unload as well.

Tuesday saw the tug Karen Andrie and her tank barge, Endeavour, call on the Bit-Mat dock in Bay City. After unloading, the departed the slip and headed upriver to the Dow Chemical dock to turn and then tie up. As of Monday night on the 20th, the pair were still there, although they briefly departed the dock this morning and then returned to the dock.

On Wednesday, the Frontenac and the American Century both called on the Saginaw River, unloading at a pair of Essexville docks. Frontenac unloaded at the Essroc dock, while the Century unloaded at the Consumers Energy dock.

Thursday brought the tug Olive L. Moore and barge Lewis J. Kuber to the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City. The pair returned again on Sunday with a split load, unloading at the Bay City Wirt Stone dock and the GM dock in Saginaw.

On Friday, the Calumet arrived with a split load for the Sargent dock in Essexville and the Saginaw Rock Products dock in Saginaw.

Finally, Saturday saw the arrival of the Manitowoc with a split load for the Wirt Stone docks in Bay City and Saginaw.

Karen Andrie & Endeavour at the Dow Chemical dock on Friday

Reports to return on Monday

I apologize to everyone for the lack of reports.

I have been on vacation and the reports will return on Monday with a full recap of the past week that I have been away!

Saginaw River Passages - July 11th & 12th

The Robert S. Pierson was inbound for the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City late Friday night. She had completed her unload and was outbound for the lake early Saturday morning.
On Sunday, the tug Kurt Luedtke was outbound from the Essroc Dock in Essexville, headed for the lake, towing a hydraulic dredge, spud barge and 750 feet of dredge pipe. The tug Superior was inbound on Sunday headed upriver to pick up another barge. On her trip back downbound Sunday afternoon, the Superior hooked a log in the channel, getting hung up on her Kort nozzle and the barge nosing in towards the east bank of the river. The tug Jill Marie was summoned to assist in getting the pair free, but tug Superior was able to free herself on her own before the Jill Marie arrived. USCG Station Saginaw River was in contact with the Superior during the incident and after talking with Sector Detroit, the Superior was asked to dock before heading out to the lake so a crew from Sector Detroit could come aboard. The tug and barge stopped at the Essroc dock in Essexville to wait.

Tug Superior just down river from the Cheboyganing Creek

Saginaw River Passages - July 10th

The tug Gregory J. Busch & barge STC2004 made their final trips out to the OXL Lotus on Friday, finishing the transfer of cargo destined for the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville. The OXL Lotus had arrived in the Saginaw Bay on July 3rd and by Friday evening, 7 days after arriving, she was finally outbound for the lake once again. The Busch and her barge headed back upriver to the Busch Marine dock in Carrollton Friday evening as well.

Saginaw River Passages - July 9th

The tug G-tug Superior was outbound Thursday morning with two barges from the upper river dredging project. Superior had arrived Wednesday morning. The tug Gregory J. Busch made two more trips out to OXL Lotus on Thursday, continuing the shuttle back and for between the vessel and the Consumers Energy dock.

Tug Superior outbound at Smith Park in Essexville

Saginaw River Passage - July 7th & 8th

Over Tuesday and Wednesday, the tug Gergory J. Busch, with barge STC 2004, made two more trips out to the OXL Lotus to transfer cargo and returned back to Consumers Energy to unload. As of Wednesday night, the tug and barge were back out in the Saginaw Bay at the OXL Lotus for the forth time. The G-tug, Superior, arrived on the Saginaw River Wednesday morning and traveled upriver to the Luedtke dredging operation on the upper Saginaw.

Saginaw River Passages - July 5th & 6th

Traffic on the Saginaw River remained steady over the holiday weekend with a number of vessel passages. The SCS Greyfox departed for the lake early Sunday morning after spending the past week docked in downtown Bay City.

On Monday morning, the tug Gregory J. Busch and her barge, STC 2004, traveled from their dock in Carrollton out to the anchored vessel OXL Lotus out in the Saginaw Bay. During the day, cargo was transferred from the OXL Lotus to the barge and then brought in to the Consumers Energy dock later in the day. As of 9 pm Monday night, The Gregory J. Busch and her barge were still at the Consumers dock and the OXL Lotus was still anchored out in the Saginaw Bay. It was reported that the Lotus, who had arrived on Friday, was unable to make it to the Consumers dock due to her deep draft.

The Olive L. Moore – Lewis J. Kuber were inbound on Sunday with a split load for the Bay City and Saginaw Wirt Stone docks. After unloading, the pair was outbound for the lake early Monday morning. The Algoway was also inbound on Sunday, calling on the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee for her second trip there this week. Algoway was outbound late Monday morning.

Saginaw River Passages - July 3rd & 4th

There was some steady vessel traffic on the Saginaw River on Friday and Saturday, with a number of boats making stops along her banks. The OXL Lotus arrived on the Saginaw Bay early Friday morning and went to anchor. As of Saturday evening, she remains anchored out in the bay.

The Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber arrived on Friday traveling upriver to the GM Dock in Saginaw to unload. The pair was back outbound late on Friday. Also arriving on Friday was the tug Zeus pushing the tank barge Robert Deegan. The pair called on the Dow Chemical dock in Bay City to unload and were back outbound for the lake Saturday afternoon. Saturday morning saw the Algoway call on the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee. She finished her unload and was back outbound for the lake Saturday afternoon as well.

Tug Zeus at Dow Chemical and Tug Jill Marie at Bay City Fireworks near Vet's Bridge

Saginaw River Report - June Totals

Shipping numbers on the Saginaw River for June were fairly consistent with the numbers for the same period last year. In June 2008, there were 28 commercial deliveries as compared to 24 deliveries in 2009. When you look at the number year to date, there is more of a discrepancy: 56 so far in 2009 as compared to 73 in 2008.

In other news, dredging continues on the upper Saginaw from the Sixth Street turning basin to the disposal area just above the airport turning basin. The Greyfox continues to give short excursions in the mornings and tours in the afternoons while she is docked in Downtown Bay City at Wenonah Park. The Greyfox will be departing Bay City on Sunday morning.

SCS Greyfox downbound at Smith Park on 7-2-09

Saginaw River Passages - June 28th & 29th

The SCS Greyfox moved upriver to the dock in Wenonah Park Sunday evening after spending Saturday night at the Dow Chemical dock awaiting the finish of tunnel boat racing between the Veteran's Memorial and Liberty bridges Sunday afternoon. The Greyfox is open for tours after 2pm during the week and is giving trips in the mornings by reservation.

The Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber were inbound Sunday evening with a split load. The pair lightered at the Sargent dock in Essexville before continuing upriver to finish unloading at the Saginaw Rock Products dock in Saginaw. The Moore & Kuber were outbound late Monday morning heading for the lake.

Saginaw River Passage - June 27th

The SCS Greyfox arrived on the Saginaw River Saturday afternoon and tied up at the Dow Chemical dock in Essexville for the night. Once the "Bay City River Roar" boat races end on Sunday, the Greyfox will make her way up to Wenonah Park in Downtown Bay City to tie up through the 4th of July weekend. This is the annual stop for the Greyfox to help raise funds to bring the USS Edson museum ship to Bay City.

Saginaw River Passages - June 26th

The American Integrity was inbound the Saginaw River late Thursday night headed for the Consumer Energy dock in Essexville. After unloading coal, she backed from the dock early Friday morning, backing out to lights 13 & 14 to turn and head for the lake. The Frontenac was inbound Friday morning calling on the Essroc dock in Essexville. She unloaded clinker and then backed from the dock and out into the Saginaw Bay to turn at Light 12 and head for the lake. This was the first visit by both vessels and the first delivery to the Essroc this season.

Saginaw River Passage - June 23rd

The tug Olive L. Moore with the barge Lewis J. Kuber departed the Wirt dock in Saginaw late Tuesday afternoon and were outbound through the last Bay City bridge around 10:30 pm, headed for the lake. The pair had arrived with a split load on Monday.

Saginaw River Passage - June 22nd

Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber were back on the Saginaw River again with a split cargo for the Bay City and Saginaw Wirt Stone docks. The pair lightered in Bay City early on Monday before heading up to Saginaw to finish. They were expected to be outbound early Tuesday morning. Also, the tug Fischer Hayden was outbound Monday afternoon from the Bay Aggregates dock with a crane barge.

Saginaw River Passages - June 21st

The tug Superior was inbound the Saginaw River overnight, arriving with a spud barge. Radio traffic indicated that the Superior was swapping out equipment for Luedtke Engineering, who is doing dredging work on the Saginaw River. The tug was outbound for the lake Sunday afternoon. The Calumet was inbound early Sunday morning heading up to the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee. Strong currents in the Saginaw River from recent heavy rains put the tug Gregory J. Busch to work to assist the Calumet make her turn up in the Sixth Street turning basin. Once turned, Calumet was outbound for the lake Sunday evening.

Saginaw River Passage - June 19th

The tug Olive L. Moore and barge Lewis J. Kuber were inbound the Saginaw River Friday morning with a split load. The pair lightered at the Bay City Wirt Stone Dock before contuining upriver to finish the unload at the Saginaw Wirt Stone Dock. The Moore and Kuber were outbound for the lake passing through Bay City late Saturday evening.

Saginaw River Passages - June 17th & 18th

The Robert S. Pierson was inbound the Saginaw River Wednesday morning, calling on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City to unload. She completed her unload and was outbound for the lake later in the day. Thursday morning saw the arrival of the Agawa Canyon, who called on the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee for the second time this week. She completed her unload and was outbound early Thursday evening.

Saginaw River Passages - June 15th & 16th

Monday saw the arrival of the American Century and the Agawa Canyon on the Saginaw River. The American Century delivered coal to the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville, then backed out to Lights 13 & 14 to turn and head to the lake. She passed the inbound Agawa Canyon, who called on the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee. The Canyon was then outbound late Tuesday morning after finishing her unload.

The tug Fisher Hayden departed the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City Tuesday evening with a crane barge in tow. It was not known when the tug arrived.

Saginaw River Passage - June 14th

The Manitowoc was inbound the Saginaw River Sunday morning, traveling upriver to unload at the Burroughs dock in Zilwaukee. She had completed her unload by Sunday evening, turned in the Sixth Street turning basin, and was outbound for the lake. She passed through Bay City around 10:30pm.

Saginaw River Passages - June 10th & 11th

The Saginaw River saw several visitors on Wednesday and Thursday. The Algoway arrived early Wednesday morning to unload at the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee. She was followed later in the day by the Sam Laud and the Calumet. The Laud called on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City, while the Calumet traveled upriver to unload at the GM dock in Saginaw.

The tug Zeus and her tank barge were outbound on Wednesday, after unloading at the Dow Chemical dock in Bay City. The Algoway and Sam Laud were also both outbound on Wednesday. The Calumet was outbound early Thursday morning.

Sagnaw River Passage - June 9th

The tug Zeus and her tank barge were inbound Tuesday evening, calling on the Dow Chemical dock in Bay City to unload. The pair were expected to be outbound sometime on Wednesday. Following minutes behind was the American Century with a load of coal for the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville. She was planning to depart around 11:30 pm, backing out to buoys 13 & 14 to turn around and head for the lake. The Algoway was also rounding the tip of the thumb around 10pm, making her way towards the Saginaw River. She was in contact with the Century planning on where to meet out in the Saginaw Bay.


American Century inbound at the Front Range 6-9-09