Tug Ann-Marie Update

The following is a link from the Bay City Times. It includes a photo of the Ann-Marie after they brought her up, and a report on the clean up and investigation into the cause of the sinking.

http://www.mlive.com/news/bay-city/index.ssf/2010/12/crews_continue_to_clean_up_con.html

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone from Saginaw River Images

Tug Ann-Marie Update

With an earlier than expected approval of the salvage plan to raise the tug Ann-Marie, crews from Luedtke Engineering and Erickson's Crane and Rigging, began the process of bringing her to the surface, on Friday. After being stabilized and raised above the surface, crews used pumps to remove water from the Ann-Marie. She will remain at the Bay Aggregates slip while the US Coast Guard conducts thier investigation into why the tug sank.

Saginaw River Passages - December 15th

The tug Gregory J. Busch headed down the Saginaw River from her dock in Carrolton on Tuesday night, heading to assist the inbound Algoway make the North Star dock in Essexville. Ice conditions slowed the Algoway, but with the assistance from the Gregory J. Busch, she made the dock early Wednesday morning. After unloading through the afternoon, Algoway turned and begain heading for the lake, again with assistance from the Busch. Algoway was delayed by ice fishermen who would not move from the area of the shipping channel. They eventually all moved to a safe distance and Algoway was able to head for the lake around 5:30 Wednesday afternoon.

Update - Tug Ann Marie Sinking

Tug Ann-Marie resting on the bottom of the Bay Aggregates slip

Tug Ann-Marie at the Essrock Dock on the Saginaw River - December 3, 2010

Crews from Luedtke Engineering were on scene at Bay Aggregates today, assessing the situation with the sunken tug Ann-Marie. Divers were in the water at the Bay Aggregates slip, and the tug Kurt Luedtke brought Derrick Boat 16 down river from the old Defoe slip near Liberty Bridge. With assistance from the tug Karl Luedtke, the tug Kurt Luedtke was able to maneuver the derrick barge through the ice and into the Bay Aggregates slip in preparation for raising the Ann-Marie. Oil boom has been deployed in the slip to contain any oil or fuel that has escaped from the tug. The 71' tug Ann-Marie sank Monday morning while moored in the Bay Aggregates slip located on the Saginaw River, in Bay City.

Saginaw River Passage - December 8th

The Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. arrived on the Saginaw Bay on Monday, but went to anchor due to strong winds and unfavorable weather conditions. Wednesday morning, she tried her luck and started to make her way to the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville to unload coal. The McCarthy made it to just above the Front Range before becoming wedged in the ice and became unable to turn. The tug Karl Luedtke, in the area working on a dredging project, came to her aid and quickly freed the 1000' vessel. The Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. reached the Consumers dock and was unloading late Wednesday morning.

The U.S.C.G. Cutter Hollyhock was also on the Saginaw Bay, working aids to navigation, placing winter marks in the Entrance Channel. Hollyhock also assisted the McCarthy Wednesday evening by breaking up the ice so she could maneuver as she backed from the Consumers dock and out into the Saginaw Bay to turn at Light 12.

Saginaw River Passages - December 2nd & 3rd

The tug Olive L. Moore, and barge Lewis J. Kuber, were inbound the Saginaw River early Thursday morning with a split cargo. The pair lightered at the Wirt Stone dock in Bay City before continuing upriver to the Wirt Stone dock in Saginaw to finish. Maumee was inbound late Thursday, headed to the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee to unload. The Moore & Kuber were outbound for the lake early Friday morning after Maumee cleared them at the Burroughs dock in Zilwaukee. Maumee was outbound Friday afternoon. Robert S. Pierson called on the Saginaw River Friday afternoon, calling on the the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City. She was expected to be outbound late Friday evening. This was the first trip of the season to the Saginaw River for the Pierson.

Saginaw River Passage - December 1st

The tug Olive L. Moore, and barge Lewis J. Kuber, arrived on the Saginaw River Monday afternoon carrying a split cargo. The pair lightered at the Bay City Wirt Stone dock before continuing upriver to finish at the Saginaw Wirt dock. The Moore & Kuber then turned at Sixth Street and were outbound for the lake early Tuesday morning.

End of November Report

Commercial shipping traffic on the Saginaw River remained stable in November, logging seventeen deliveries to local docks. This is the same number recorded over the month of November 2009. For the year to date, there have been 138 deliveries, down twenty from the same period last season.

Looking at longer term numbers, the seventeen passages in November are eight less than the six year average of twenty five. For the season to date, the 138 deliveries are down 89 from the six year average of 227.

Saginaw River Passage - November 23rd

Indiana Harbor was inbound the Saginaw River on Tuesday, calling on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville to unload coal. Once she was finished, she backed from the dock, out into the bay to turn near Light 12, and head for the lake.

Saginaw River Passages - November 19th & 20th

The tug Joyce L. VanEnkevort and barge Great Lakes Trader called on the Saginaw River on Friday, traveling up to the Wirt Stone dock in Bay City. After unloading, the pair backed out of the river and into the Saginaw Bay to turn and head for the lake. This was the first trip of the season for the Joyce L & Trader to the Saginaw River. Manitowoc was back again on Friday, this time calling on the Burroughs dock in Zilwaukee. She was outbound for the lake early Saturday morning.

Saginaw River Passages - November 18th

Manitowoc was inbound the Saginaw River early Thursday morning, traveling upriver to the GM dock in Saginaw. A few hours behind was the Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber, headed for the Bay City and Saginaw Wirt Stone docks. Both vessels completed their unloads and were outbound for the lake Thursday afternoon.

Saginaw River Passage - November 14th

The tug Olive L. Moore, with the barge Lewis J. Kuber, called on the Saginaw River Sunday with a split cargo. The pair lightered at the Wirt Stone Dock in Bay City, before heading upriver to finish unloading at the Wirt Stone Dock in Saginaw. The Moore & Kuber were outbound later in the evening.

Saginaw River Passages - November 12th & 13th

Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber were inbound the Saginaw River on Friday, calling on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City. After their unload, they departed the slip and headed for the lake. Manitowoc was also inbound on Friday, calling on the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee. She was outbound early Saturday morning. Algoway was inbound Saturday morning also calling on the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee. She was expected to be outbound late Saturday night. The tug Kurt Luedtke was inbound on Saturday with a pair of barges for the upcoming dredging on the Lower Saginaw River dredging project.

Saginaw River Passages - November 8th & 9th

Manitowoc was inbound Tuesday morning, calling on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City to unload. Once finished, she departed the slip and was outbound for the lake during the afternoon. The tug Ann Marie returned to the Saginaw River on Monday with additional dredging equipment and was moving equipment between the Essroc dock and confined disposal island on Tuesday.

Saginaw River Passages - November 3rd & 4th

Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber arrived on the river on Wednesday, calling on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City to unload. The Luedtke tug, Ann Marie, arrived on the Saginaw with dredging equipment on Wednesday also. Thursday saw the arrival of Calumet, with a split load for the Bay City and Saginaw Wirt Stone docks. She was outbound Thursday evening. Algorail was also inbound, calling on the GM dock in Saginaw. Thursday also saw a very interesting arrival in the tug Evans McKeil and cement barge Metis, calling on the Essroc dock in Essexville. Essroc is normally serviced by Canada Steamship Lines vessels delivering clinker. A new cement powder unloading system was installed at Essroc over the summer and the McKeil-Metis delivery was the first for this new unloading point.

Saginaw River Passage - November 2nd

The Calumet was inbound Tuesday morning headed upriver to the GM dock in Saginaw to unload. Once finished, she turned at Sixth Street and was outbound for the lake later in the evening.

Saginaw River Passages - October 30th & 31st

The tug Olive L. Moore and barge Lewis J. Kuber called on the Saginaw River, Saturday, with a split cargo. The pair lightered at the Bay City Wirt dock before continuing upriver to the Burroughs dock in Zilwaukee. Early Sunday morning saw the arrival of the Cuyahoga and her fleetmate Manitowoc. Cuyahoga stopped at the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City before heading upriver for the Buena Vista dock. Manitowoc called on the Bay City Wirt dock, then continued upriver for the Saginaw Wirt dock. Manitowoc lead the convoy up the river with Cuyahoga about a half mile behind. Once both were secure at their upper river docks to unload, the Moore-Kuber headed downbound from the 6th Street turning basin and outbound for the lake, passing the Cuyahoga and Manitowoc just above I-75.

Saginaw River Passages - October 27th

With peak winds reaching 55 knots and the water level dropping over two feet, to a minus 25.68 inches, the Saginaw River was a pretty lonely place on Wednesday. That changed on Thursday as the weather improved and traffic started moving again. Calumet called on the GM dock in Saginaw, Thursday morning to unload. She was back outbound for the lake during the ear;y evening. Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. was inbound during the afternoon with coal for the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville. She backed out into the bay to turn and head for the lake late in the evening Thursday.

Wind on the Saginaw River

With strong winds from the south passing through the area, the water level on the Saginaw River dropped to a minus 13 inches this afternoon. wind conditions on the Saginaw Bay at the Saginaw River Entrance Channel Light 1 hit a high of 34 knots sustained with a gust of 53 knots around 4pm Tuesday afternoon.

There is no shipping traffic in the area currently.

Saginaw River Passages - October 20th

The tug Zeus and tank barge Robert F. Deegan called on the Dow Chemical dock late Tuesday night. The pair remained at the dock as of 9pm Wednesday night. Also still at the dock was the Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. at Consumers Energy. She had arrived on Tuesday morning to unload coal. Calumet was inbound Wednesday afternoon with a split load. She stopped at the Bay City Wirt Stone dock to lighter before continuing upriver to the Saginaw Wirt dock to finish Wednesday night.

Saginaw River Passages - October 18th & 19th

The tug Invincible and barge McKee Sons called on the Saginaw River on Monday, unloading at the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City. She was followed by her fleet mate, Calumet, who traveled all the way upriver to unload at the Lafarge Stone dock in Saginaw. Both vessels were outbound later in the day on Monday. Tuesday morning saw the arrival of the Walter J. McCarthy, Jr., who called on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville to unload. She remained at the dock as of 8:30 Tuesday night.

Saginaw River Passages - October 13th -15th

Algorail was outbound the Saginaw River on Thursday after unloading at the Saginaw Lafarge dock. The tug Karen Andrie, with her barge Endeavour, were outbound from the Bit-Mat dock in Bay City after unloading there overnight. On Friday, Calumet was inbound during the evening hours, traveling upriver to unload at the GM dock in Saginaw. She is expected to be outbound early Saturday morning.

Saginaw River Passages - October 11th

Manitowoc arrived overnight, calling on the Burroughs dock in Zilwaukee to unload. She was outbound for the lake Monday morning. Inbound Monday morning was the tug Olive L Moore and barge Lewis J. Kuber with a split cargo. The pair stopped at the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City before heading upriver for the Saginaw Wirt Stone dock. The Moore & Kuber were expected to be outbound late Monday or early Tuesday morning.

September 2010 Shipping Report

With September in the books, the vessel passages are still way down from both last season and long term. There were 16 commercial vessel passages in September, seven less than the same time frame in 2009. Looking at the past six years, the average for the month is 29 vessels, so the Saginaw River is down 13 passages verses the average. Looking at the year to date, there have been only 102 commercial vessel passages in 2010. This is down 17 passages for the same time period last season and 71 less vessels based on the long term average for the end of September. Hopefully we will start to see a fall rush this season, but supplies on the docks look pretty well full for this time of year.

Saginaw River Passages - September 26th to October 8th

On Monday, October 4th, Maumee called on the Saginaw River, traveling up to the Wirt Stone dock in Saginaw to unload. Thursday the 7th saw the arrival of the Michipicoten, for a rare visit, calling at the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City, followed by the Walter J. McCarthy, Jr., calling on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville. Both vessels were outbound later in the day Thursday. Friday saw the tug Olive L. Moore and barge Lewis J. Kuber call on the Saginaw River with a split load. The pair lightered at the Bay City Wirt stone dock before continuing upriver to finish at the Saginaw Wirt stone dock. They were expected to be outbound late Friday night.

Updates Coming Soon!

Hi Everyone,

I have just returned from a week long vacation. I am in the process of reviewing the tapes from when I was gone. Updates will be coming soon. Hopefully in the next few days!

Thank you for your patience!

Saginaw River Passages - Saptember 23rd

The Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber called on the Saginaw River early Thursday morning with a split cargo. The pair stopped at the Lafarge dock in Essexville, before continuing upriver, stopping briefly at the Burroughs dock in Zilwaukee. They then went further upriver, stopping at the Saginaw Rock Products dock. The Moore & Kuber were outbound Thursday evening.

The tug Zeus, with the tank barge Robert F. Deegan, called on the Dow Chemical "Oxy" dock in Bay City Thursday morning to unload. The pair remained there early Friday morning.

Saginaw River Passages - September 20th

The Calumet was inbound early Monday morning, calling on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City to unload. She finished and departed for the lake, late in the morning. Monday evening saw the arrival of the Olive L. Moore with the Lewis J. Kuber. The pair also called on the Bay Aggregates dock to unload. They were still at the dock late into the evening.

Saginaw River Passages - September 17th & 18th

After a week with no traffic on the Saginaw River, Friday saw the arrival of three vessels. Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. was the first to arrive, early Friday morning and calling on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville. She completed her unload by late morning, backed from the dock, and turned near Light 12 to head for the lake. Maumee and Calumet also arrived on the river during the day Friday. Maumee traveled up to the Saginaw area to unload. It is not known at this time what dock she called on. Calumet lightered at the Lafarge Stone dock in Essexville, before continuing upriver to finish unloading at the Lafarge Stone dock in Saginaw. Both vessels were outbound for the lake Saturday morning.

Saginaw River Passages - September 7th -9th

Calumet was back on the Saginaw River late Tuesday night, with another cargo for the GM dock in Saginaw. She completed her unload and was outbound on Wednesday. Thursday morning saw the arrival of the American Mariner, who called on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville to unload coal. This dock is usually serviced by the 1000 footers, so the Mariner's visit is a little unusual. Algorail was also inbound early Thursday, stopping at the Buena Vista dock and the GM dock, both in Saginaw. After unloading, Algorail was outbound Thursday night, and once she had passed Consumers Energy, the American Mariner began backing from the dock and out into the Saginaw Bay to turn at Light 12 and head for the lake.

Saginaw River Passages - September 3rd to 6th

On Friday, the tug Olive L. Moore and barge Lewis J. Kuber arrived on the Saginaw River and lightered at the Wirt Sand & Stone dock in Essexville. The pair then waited out extremely strong winds for the next day and a half at the Essroc dock, before heading upriver to finish their unload at the Saginaw Rock Products Dock.

On Monday, Calumet was inbound for the GM Dock in Saginaw. She was expected to be outbound late Monday night or early Tuesday morning.

Saginaw River Passages - September 2nd

Three vessels plied the waters of the Saginaw River over the past few days. Calumet was outbound on Thursday after completing her unload at the Saginaw Wirt dock. Inbound on Thursday was Indiana Harbor, who unloaded coal at the Consumers Energy dock, in Essexville. She was later outbound. The tug Karen Andrie, with the tank barge Endeavour, called on the Bit-Mat dock in Bay City, to unload. The pair was outbound Thursday evening. The tug Karl Luedtke, along with a few barges and a lot of dredge pipe, entered the Saginaw River on Thursday, in preperation for the upcoming lower river dredging project.

August 2010 Saginaw River Report

For the month of August, shipping traffic was up on the Saginaw River compared to last year. The 23 commercial passages in August 2010 are 5 more than the same period last year. For total passages year-to-date, there have been 86. This is still below 2009 numbers, which were 95 passages.

Looking at the averages, the six year average for August is 30 vessels. 2010 is 7 passages below that. For the year-to-date, the six year average is 144 passages. 2010 is below that number by a large 58 fewer vessel trips.

Saginaw River Passage - September 1st

Calumet was inbound the Saginaw River, Wednesday afternoon, carrying a split load. She stopped at the Bay City Wirt Stone dock to lighter, then continued upriver to the Saginaw Wirt Stone dock to finish. Calumet was expected to be outbound early Thursday morning.

Saginaw River Passages - August 24th - 29th

There were numerous vessels transiting the Saginaw River the past week. On Tuesday, Calumet called with a split cargo for the Burroughs dock in Zilwaukee and GM dock in Saginaw. Also in on Tuesday were the tug Gregory J. Busch and her deck barge, calling on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City and Algorail, who called on the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee.

Wednesday saw the tug Olive L. Moore and barge Lewis J. Kuber arrive with a split load for the Bay Aggregates dock and the Buena Vista dock in Saginaw.

Thursday saw the steamer Alpena depart from the Lafarge dock in Carrollton and head for the lake. She had arrived on August 20th and remained there until her departure on the 26th.

On Friday, the tug Zeus and her tank barge called on the Bit-Mat Asphalt dock in Bay City.

Saturday saw the return of the Olive L. Moore-Lewis J. Kuber with another split load, this time for the Bay City and Saginaw Wirt Stone docks, as well as the Indiana Harbor, who called on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville.

Finally, Sunday saw Manistee call on the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee. This was her first visit to the Saginaw River this season. Manistee was headed for the Sixth Street Basin to turn and head for the lake late Sunday night.

Saginaw River Passage - August 21, 2010

The Algoway was inbound the Saginaw River Saturday morning, bound for the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee. She completed her unload and was outbound for the lake during the late afternoon.

Saginaw River Passages - August 20th

Manitowoc was outbound the Saginaw River early Friday morning after finishing her unload at the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City. The tug Joe Thompson, Jr. and barge Joseph H. Thompson were inbound Friday afternoon with Sugar Stone for the Bay City Wirt dock. The pair completed their unload late in the evening, turned off the dock, and headed for the lake. Alpena was inbound Friday evening, headed upriver to the Lafarge Cement dock in Carrollton to unload. She was expected to be outbound Saturday morning.

Saginaw River Passage - August 19th

The Manitowoc called on the Saginaw River, Thursday evening, traveling the short distance upriver to the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City. She was unloading there at 10:30pm and expected to be outbound late Thursday night or early Friday morning.

Saginaw River Passages - August 15th

The Olive L. Moore, with the Lewis J. Kuber, called on the Saginaw River Saturday with a split load. The pair lightered at the Bay City Wirt dock before continuing upriver to the saginaw Wirt dock to finish. The Moore and Kuber were then outbound for the lake Sunday morning.

Saginaw River Passages - August 11th -13th

The Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber were inbound the Saginaw River on Wednesday with a split cargo for the Essexville Lafarge dock and the Zilwaukee Sargent dock. The pair were outbound Thursday morning.
Mississagi was Inbound on Thursday,calling on the Buena Vista dock in Saginaw. She was outbound later in the day.
Calumet was inbound Friday afternoon, calling on the GM dock in Saginaw. She was expected to be outbound early Saturday morning. Indiana Harbor called on the Consumers Energy dock very early Saturday morning to unload. She was expected to be outbound later in the morning.

Saginaw River Passage - August 10th

The tug Undaunted, with the barge Pere Marquette 41, finished unloading at the Saginaw Wirt dock then went up to the Sixth Street Basin to turn and head outbound. In an unusual twist, the pair stopped at the Sargent sand dock and loaded a cargo of sand for her outbound trip. Very rarely does a vessel take on a cargo at a Saginaw River dock. Once loaded, the pair were outbound for the lake on Tuesday morning.

Saginaw River Passage - August 9th

The tug Undaunted, with the Pere Marquette 41, was inbound the Saginaw River on Monday afternoon, headed for the Wirt Stone dock in Saginaw to unload. The pair were expected to be outbound early Tuesday morning.

Saginaw River Passage - August 7th

The tug Karen Andrie, pushing the tank barge Endeavour, called on the Bit-Mat dock in Bay City on Saturday to unload. Once finished, the pair were outbound for the lake on Sunday morning.

Saginaw River Passages - August 5th & 6th

It has been fairly active on the Saginaw River the past few days, with first of the season visits by the tug G.L. Ostrander - barge Integrity and tug Dorothy Ann - barge Pathfinder on Thursday, and Calumet's seventh visit of the season on Friday. The Ostrander/Integrity called on the Lafarge cement dock in Carrollton during the morning on Thursday. The pair were outbound early Friday morning. Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder were inbound during the morning on Thursday as well, and were outbound during the early evening hours. Calumet arrived with a split cargo on Friday evening, lightering at the Lafarge dock in Essexville, then continuing upriver to finish at the Lafarge dock in Saginaw. She was expected to be outbound Saturday morning.

Saginaw River Passages - July 28th to July 31st

The tug Olive L. Moore and barge Lewis J. Kuber called on the Saginaw River Saturday morning, carrying a split cargo. The pair lightered at the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City, then continued upriver to the Burroughs dock in Zilwaukee to finish. The pair were outbound late Saturday evening.

On Wednesday, July 28th, Algorail called on the Buena Vista dock in Saginaw. She was outbound for the lake later that day.

For the month of July, there were 14 commercial vessel passages on the Saginaw River, a decrease of eight from the same period last year and 15 passages below the six year average of 29. For the year to date, there have been 63 commercial vessel passages on the Saginaw River. This number is down 15 from the same time period last year. Looking at the six year average is where you really see the difference. There are 50 less passage then the average of 113 and a huge 110 less then the 2005 shipping season when there were 173 passages at this point in the season.

Saginaw River Passages July 26th

Manitowoc was back again on Monday morning, arriving with a split load for the Burroughs dock in Zilwaukee and the GM dock in Saginaw. She completed her unload and was outbound through Bay City during the evening. Indiana Harbor was also inbound Monday morning, calling on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville to unload. Once finished, she backed from the dock and headed out for the Saginaw Bay to turned around and make way for the lake.

Saginaw River Passages - July 18th - July 24th

I apologize for the lack of reports for the past week or so. I have been on vacation and just returned home. Not that I missed much though:

On Monday July 19th, the Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber called on the Saginaw River with a split load. The pair lightered at the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City before continuing upriver to finish unloading at the Wirt stone dock in Saginaw. On Saturday July 24th, Manitowoc called on the Wirt stone dock in Saginaw to unload.

Saginaw River Passage - July 16th

The tug Olive L. Moore, with the barge Lewis J. Kuber, called on the Saginaw River Friday evening, stopping at the Wirt Sand and Stone dock in Essexville to unload. The pair were then back outbound for the lake Saturday morning.

Saginaw River Passages - July 15th

Algoway outbound near Smith Park, Essexville
The Saginaw River was chaotic on Thursday. Between the arrival of the tall ship fleet and two commercial vessel passages, it was a stressful day for many vessel masters. The Tall Ship Celebration "Parade of Sail" began out in the Saginaw Bay early in the afternoon on Thursday. During the fleet's parade into the river, Algoway was outbound from the Sixth Street turning basin after unloading at the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee overnight. She started meeting tall ships between Veteran's Memorial and Liberty bridges and passed her last ones near the Dow Chemical dock downriver. Inbound Thursday evening was the tug Zeus and tank barge Robert F. Deegan, calling on the Dow Chemical dock in Bay City to unload. The pair were expected to be outbound early on Friday.

The tall ships in port for the Tall Ship Challenge are: Madeline, Pathfinder, Playfair, Lynx, Denis Sullivan, Pride of Baltimore II, Roseway, Roald Amundsen, HMS Bounty, Europa, Appledore IV, and the Appledore V. The tall ships will remain in Bay City through Sunday.

Saginaw River Passages - July 14th

Tall Ship Denis Sullivan at Wenonah Park, Downtown Bay City

The Indiana Harbor was inbound Wednesday morning calling on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville to unload coal. She completed her unload Wednesday evening, backed out into the Saginaw Bay to turn and headed for the lake. Algoway was inbound Wednesday evening, passing Indiana Harbor near Lights 11 & 12, on her way upriver to unload at the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee. She was expected to be outbound on Thursday.

The tall ship fleet began to arrive in the Downtown Bay City Area on Wednesday, with Lynx and Denis Sullivan both tying up at the docks. Out in the Saginaw Bay were Bounty, Pride of Baltimore 2, and Europa, who were on the move toward the Saginaw River. The forecast of severe weather for this area played a part in the decision of some of the tall ship fleet to dock in Bay City early.

Saginaw River Passage - July 12th

With no commercial traffic on the Saginaw River since July 4th, the streak was snapped at seven days, when the tug Barbara Andrie and her tank barge called on the Bit-Mat dock in Bay City. Arriving on Sunday, the pair completed their unload and were outbound Monday afternoon, headed for the lake.

Saginaw River Traffic Report - June 2010

With more boats trading on the Great lakes in 2010 than last year and increases in cargo being hauled, traffic on the Saginaw River continues to trend downward. There were only 18 commercial deliveries on the Saginaw River during the month of June. That is six less then the same period in 2009, fifteen less than the average over the past six years and 28 less than the high over that time period, June 2005. For the year to date, there have been 56 commercial cargo deliveries. This is down seven from the same time period in 2009, thirty six less than the average over the past six years and 89 less than the high over that time period, June 2005.

Saginaw River Passages - July 4th

There was some shipping traffic on the Saginaw River over the holiday weekend. Algoway called on the Burroughs dock in Zilwaukee late Thursday evening to unload. She was back outbound for the lake on Friday, passing through Bay City late in the afternoon. The tug Zeus, along with her tank barge, called on the old Dow Chemical dock, which is now being referred to as the "Oxy" dock. The pair were outbound on Saturday. Sunday saw the Calumet arrive with a split load. She lightered at the Lafarge Essexville dock before continuing upriver to finish at the Burroughs dock in Zilwaukee. Calumet was expected to be outbound late Sunday night or early Monday morning. USNSCS Greyfox departed Bay City at 6am on Sunday after spending the past week in port giving tours.

Saginaw River Passage - June 29th

The USNCS Greyfox called on the Saginaw River on Monday, docking in Downtown Bay City at the Wenonah Park dock. The Gray Fox was brought to Bay City through the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum and will be open to visitors and for tours through July 4th. For more information on the Gray Fox’s availability or to schedule a tour, call the Saginaw Naval Ship Museum at (989) 684-3946.

Saginaw River Passages - June 27th

Mississagi was inbound Sunday afternoon, headed all the way up to Sixth Street in Saginaw with a cargo for the Lafarge Stone dock. She had to stop briefly at the Wirt Stone dock in Bay City to wait for the Saginaw River to open to vessel traffic between Liberty and Veteran's Memorial bridges. This was due to the Bay City River Roar powerboat races that have been going on all weekend. Mississagi made the dock late Sunday afternoon and was expected outbound late evening. Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. called on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville during the afternoon. She completed her unload and was backing out into the Saginaw Bay to turn and head for the lake Sunday evening.

Saginaw River Passages - June 25th

With the upper Saginaw River dredging project coming to a close, crews from Ryba Marine have been busy the past few days breaking down their equipment and pulling dredge pipe. Both the tug Kathy Lynn and tug Tenacious made two trips from the upper river on Friday, moving barges from the Confined Disposal Facility and the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee, down to the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville in preparation for departing the area.

Saginaw River Passage - June 24th

Calumet was inbound the Saginaw River early Thursday morning, traveling up the river to the GM dock in Saginaw to unload. Once finished, she turned in the Sixth Street basin and was outbound for the lake late in the afternoon. Ryba Marine's Tugs Kathy Lynn and Tenacious were both tied up with derrick barges at the confined disposal area near Cheboyganing Creek on Thursday.

Saginaw River Passages - June 22nd

Monday on the Saginaw River, the tug Gregory J. Busch, pushing a deck barge, was outbound for the lake on her first trip of the season. Tuesday saw Algorail inbound for the Buena Vista Dock in Saginaw to unload. She was expected to be outbound early Wednesday morning.

Saginaw River Passage - June 17th

The tug Barbara Andrie and tank barge A-390 called on the Bit-Mat dock in Bay City on Thursday. The pair unloaded through the day and were outbound for the lake late Thursday night.

Saginaw River Passage - June 15th

The tug Olive L. Moore and barge Lewis J. Kuber called on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City on Tuesday night to unload. The pair finished early Wednesday morning and were outbound for the lake.

Saginaw River Passage - June 14

Late Sunday evening saw the arrival of the Calumet, carrying a split cargo. She lightered at the Bay City Wirt stone dock before continuing upriver to finish unloading at the Saginaw Wirt stone dock. Calumet was expected to be outbound Monday morning. Her arrival marked third Lower Lakes Towing vessel and fourth vessel overall of the day on Sunday.

Saginaw River Passages - June 13th

A number of vessels have called on the Saginaw River this weekend. Saturday saw the Indiana Harbor arrive with coal for the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville. She completed her unload and backed out into the Saginaw Bay to turn early Sunday morning. Later in the morning, the tug Olive L. Moore with the Lewis J. Kuber, called on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City. As they were finishing their unload, Manitowoc was inbound at the Front Range, waiting for the same dock. Manitowoc pulled just past the Bay Aggregates slip and waited for the Moore/Kuber to depart for the lake. Once clear, Manitowoc backed into the Bay Aggregate slip to unload. Also on Sunday, the Maumee was inbound, traveling upriver to the Burroughs dock in Zilwaukee to unload. This was the second time in three days she called on Burroughs to unload. Maumee departed the dock to head for the Sixth Street basin and turn for the lake late Sunday afternoon.

Saginaw River Passages - June 11th

Calumet inbound at the confined disposal island in the Saginaw Bay

Maumee made her first appearance of the season Friday afternoon, traveling up the Saginaw River to the Burroughs dock in Zilwaukee. Calumet was inbound Friday evening headed for the GM Dock in Saginaw. She passed her outbound fleetmate, Maumee, late Friday night as she was headed for the lake after finishing her unload at the Burroughs dock.

Calumet upbound at Veteran's Memorial Bridge

Saginaw River Passage - June 10th

The CSL Tadoussac called on the Saginaw River Thursday, stopping at the Essroc Cement dock in Essexville to unload. She had finished by late evening and back out to Light 12 in the Saginaw Bay to turn and head for the lake. This was the first cargo delivered to the Essroc dock since August 26th of last year when the Frontenac called there, and the first visit by the CSL Tadoussac since December 23rd of 2008.

Saginaw River Passage - June 9th

The steamer Alpena made her way up the Saginaw River early Wednesday morning, calling on the Lafarge Cement dock in Carrollton. She was outbound for the lake later in the afternoon. This was Alpena's second trip to Lafarge Carrollton this season and there has now been one more delivery than all of last season to the Lafarge dock.

Saginaw River Passage - June 5th

The Olive L. Moore / Lewis J. Kuber arrived on the Saginaw River Saturday afternoon with a split cargo. Thge pair stopped at the Lafarge dock in Essexville to unload a partial cargo, then proceeded upriver to finish unloading at the Burroughs dock in Zilwaukee. The Moore & Kuber were outbound for the lake Sunday morning.

Saginaw River Passages - June 1st

After a slow month of May, traffic on the Saginaw River picked up a little to start June. Monday evening saw the arrival of the tug Olive L. Moore and barge Lewis J. Kuber with a split load. The pair lightered at the Lafarge dock in Essexville before continuing upriver to finish unloading at the GM dock in Saginaw. They were outbound for the lake Tuesday morning. Arriving on Tuesday were the Herbert C. Jackson, who unloaded at the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City, and the Mississagi, who traveled up to the Burroughs dock in Zilwaukee to unload. Both vessels were outbound Tuesday night.

End of May Saginaw River Report

With the month of May now in the books, there were only 13 commercial vessel deliveries to the docks along the Saginaw River. This is 12 fewer than the same time period last year and well below the average of 30 over the past six years.

Looking at the year to date, there have been 31 vessel passages in 2010. This is only one less than last year, but still well below the six year average of 52.

April started the season strong, but this has been the worst May in the six years I have been keeping records.

Saginaw River Passages- -May 29th

The tug Zeus and her tank barge arrived on the Saginaw River overnight, calling on the Dow Chemical dock in Bay City. She unloaded through the day and was outbound for the lake Saturday evening. Manitowoc was back on the Saginaw River Saturday afternoon, calling on the Wirt Stone dock in Bay City. After lightering there, she continued upriver to the Wirt dock in Saginaw to finish. Manitowoc was expected to be outbound Sunday morning. The 100' luxury motor yacht, Sassy, called on the Bay Harbor Marina Saturday evening and departed for the lake a few hours later.

Saginaw River Passages - May 28th

Undaunted - Pere Marquette 41 upbound at Cass Avenue

Manitowoc arrived on the Saginaw River on Thursday with a split load. She stopped at the Lafarge stone dock in Essexville to lighter before continuing upriver to the Lafarge stone dock in Saginaw to finish. Manitowoc turned in the Sixth Street Basin Friday morning and headed for the lake. On her way out, Manitowoc passed the inbound tug Undaunted with her barge Pere Marquette 41. The pair, making their first trip to the Saginaw River in 2010, were headed up to the Wirt Stone Dock in Saginaw to unload. Undaunted - Pere Marquette 41 finished their unload and were outbound for the lake Friday evening.


Tug Undaunted close up

Saginaw River Passage - May 25th

Indiana Harbor arrived on Tuesday, calling on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville to unload coal. She finished her unload, backed from the dock and turn near Light 12 before heading for the lake.

Saginaw River Passages - May 22nd

Manitowoc returned early Saturday morning for her second visit in three days, this time calling on the Burroughs dock in Zilwaukee. Once unloaded, she turned in the Sixth Street basin and was outbound for the lake, late Saturday morning.

Saginaw River Passages - May 20th

Manitowoc upbound at the Essexville Ranges

While the sky was blue above the Saginaw River on Thursday, the boats on the water were Gray. Manitowoc was inbound Thursday morning with a split load. She stopped at the Bay City Wirt dock to lighter before continuing upriver to finish unloading at the Wirt stone dock in Saginaw. About 45 minutes behind Manitowoc was her fleet mate, Saginaw. Saginaw traveled upriver to the Buena Vista dock in Saginaw to unload.

Saginaw approcching Independence Bridge

This was the first visit of 2010 for both vessels and the first visit since 2006 for the Saginaw to her namesake river. Manitowoc and Saginaw were both outbound Thursday evening.

Saginaw clear of Manitowoc at Bay City Wirt

Saginaw River Passage - May 17th

Over the weekend, Ryba Marine's tug, Tenacious, arrived on the Saginaw River with more dredging equipment and barges for the upper river dredging project. On Sunday, Tenacious was moving barges from the Essroc Dock in Essexville, upriver to the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee, which has been the staging area for the upper river project.

Saginaw River Passages - May 13th

After a somewhat steady April, traffic on the Saginaw River has slowed down so far in May. Two vessels visited the river on Thursday however. Indiana Harbor was inbound Thursday morning, calling on the Consumers energy dock in Essexville to unload coal. She was followed a few hours later by the tug Invincible and barge McKee Sons who stopped at the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City to unload. Indiana Harbor backed out of the river during the early afternoon and then turned in the Saginaw Bay at Light 12 before heading for the lake. Invincible-McKee Sons were outbound late Thursday afternoon.

Saginaw River Passage - May 10th

The Algoway was outbound from the North Star dock in Essexville on Sunday afternoon. She had arrived earlier in the morning to unload potash.

Saginaw River Passage - May 9th

After sitting at anchor in the Saginaw Bay since early Saturday morning due to strong winds and low water levels, that reached nearly -20 inches at one point, Algoway began making her trip inbound Sunday morning, bound for the North Star dock in Essexville to unload potash. She was expected to be outbound later in the day .

Saginaw River Passages - May 4th

The Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber departed the Bay Aggregates dock early Tuesday morning after unloading and headed for the lake. Later in the morning, the tug Barbara Andrie, with the barge A-390, departed the Dow Chemical dock, also headed for the lake. The pair had arrived on April 18th and after unloading at Bit-Mat, tied up at the Dow dock, where they have been since.

Saginaw River Passage May 3rd

The workhorse combo of the Saginaw River, tug Olive L. Moore & barge Lewis J. Kuber, were back again late Monday afternoon for their seventh visit of the season. The Moore & Kuber backed into the Bay Aggregates dock and were there unloading Monday evening.

End of April Traffic Report

With the month of April in the books, shipping on the Saginaw River is looking much brighter this year than in 2009. There were 18 commercial deliveries to Saginaw River docks this April, as compared to only 7 in 2009. Nine different vessels made these deliveries. If you compare April's totals to the average from the past six years, you can see that the 18 passages are close to the average of 22.

Saginaw River Passages - April 30th & May 1st

Algoway inbound Saturday morning
A trio of vessels were on the waters of the Saginaw River on Friday and Saturday. Two from Algoma Central Marine and one from K&K. Algoway was inbound on Friday, but low water levels in the river prevented her from going all the way up river to the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee to unload like planned, so she tied up at the Essroc dock in Essexville to wait for more favorable conditions. Algoway finally headed upriver to Zilwaukee Saturday morning.

The Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber were inbound later on Friday with a split load. The pair stopped at Bay City Wirt to lighter before continuing upriver to finish unloading at the Wirt Stone dock in Saginaw.

Algorail outbound Saturday late afternoon

The Algorail was inbound late on Friday, calling in the Buena Vista dock in Saginaw to unload. This was her first visit of the 2010 shipping season.

All three vessels were outbound throughout the afternoon and evening on Saturday.

Saginaw River Passage - April 28th

The tug Olive L. Moore, with the Lewis J Kuber, arrived on the Saginaw River Wednesday with a split cargo. The pair lightered at the Bay City Wirt Stone dock and then continued upriver to finish unloading at the Saginaw Wirt dock. The Moore and Kuber were outbound for the lake early Thursday morning.

Saginaw River Passage - April 25th

The tug Joe Thompson, Jr. and Joseph H. Thompson were outbound from the Saginaw River, on Sunday morning, after unloading overnight at the Wirt Stone dock in Saginaw.

Saginaw River Passages - April 24th

Kathy Lynn downbound at the Lakes State Rail Bridge
Saturday morning on the Saginaw River saw the arrival of the Ryba Marine tug, Kathy Lynn, and a number of barges for the upper river dredging project. Kathy Lynn made two trips upriver on Saturday, taking equipment up to the Sargent dock in Saginaw to prepare for the start of dredging in early May. Later in the evening, the tug Joe Thompson and her barge Joseph H. Thompson called on the Saginaw River carrying a split load. The pair was lightering at the Bay City Wirt dock around 9pm, and was expected to be upbound for Saginaw to finish a few hours later. The tug Barbara Andrie and barge A-390 remained at the Dow chemical dock. The pair had arrived on April 18th and unloaded at the Bit-Mat dock.

Joe Thompson upbound at the Essroc Dock

Saginaw River Passages - April 21st

After lightering, the tug Olive L. Moore and her barge, Lewis J. Kuber, departed the Bay Aggregates slip in Bay City on Wednesday morning and headed upriver to finish unloading at the Saginaw Wirt Stone dock. The pair were outbound for the lake late Wednesday night.

The Barbara Andrie and barge A-390 remain tied up at the Dow Chemical dock in Bay City.

Saginaw River Passages - April 20th

The tug Barbara Andrie and barge A-390 departed the Bit-Mat Dock Tuesday afternoon after arriving on Sunday to unload. The pair moved a short distance upriver and tied up at the Dow Chemical dock. This move was most likely to make room for the tug Olive L. Moore and barge Lewis J. Kuber, who arrived Tuesday evening, to have access to the Bay Aggregates dock. The pair were unloading there late Tuesday night.

Saginaw River Passages - April 18th

Moore & Kuber unloading at Essexville Sand & Stone

Sunday saw two tug/barge units call on the Saginaw River. First in was Barbara Andrie and her tank barge. The pair called on the Bit-Mat Asphalt dock in Bay City to unload. They were expected to be outbound early Monday morning. Following inbound a few hours behind the Andrie was the Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber who made a rare delivery to the Essexville Wirt Sand and Stone dock. The pair finished their unload and were outbound Sunday night.

Barbara Andrie at Bit-Mat

Saginaw River Passage - April 17th

The Algoway arrived in the Saginaw Bay on Friday and went to anchor, waiting for the winds to subside before making her trip into the river. With more favorable conditions Saturday afternoon, Algoway entered the river and called on the North Star dock in Essexville to unload potash. Once finished, she turned off the dock in the Essexville basin and was outbound for the lake on Sunday morning.

Saginaw River Passage - April 16th

Calumet outbound at Smith Park, Essexville

Overnight, Calumet was back again with another split load, this time for the Bay City and Saginaw Wirt Stone docks. She lightered at the Bay City dock early Friday morning, then continued upriver to finish her unload at Saginaw Wirt. Calumet was headed back out of the Saginaw River, passing through Essexville, shortly before 2pm.

Saginaw River Passage - April 14th

Unloading at the Essexville Lafarge dock
Continuing the streak of daily traffic on the Saginaw River, Calumet was inbound Wednesday morning with a split load. She stopped at the Lafarge stone dock in Essexville to lighter, before heading upriver to finish at the Lafarge stone dock in Saginaw. These were the first cargos delivered to the Lafarge docks under the new ownership. Last season, these docks were the Essexville Sargent dock and Saginaw Rock Products. Calumet was expected to be outbound late in the day on Wednesday.

Saginaw River Passages - April 13th

The Olive L. Moore-Lewis J. Kuber arrived during the night and lightered at the Bay City Wirt Stone dock before continuing upriver to finish at the Saginaw Wirt Stone Dock Tuesday morning. The tug-barge dock departed the dock during the afternoon, shortly before the Cuyahoga arrived at the adjacent Buena Vista Dock. Once a frequent visitor, the Cuyahoga has visited the river only a half-dozen times over the past four seasons. This was her first visit to the Saginaw River since 2008.

Coming around the corner near Cass Avenue

After turning at Sixth Street, the Moore-Kuber passed the Cuyahoga on its outbound transit. Cuyahoga was outbound late Tuesday night.

Thanks to Steve Hause for contributing to this report

Saginaw River Passages - April 11th

Overnight, the Olive L. Moore, with the Lewis J. Kuber, made the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City for a partial unload. The pair then continued upriver to the Buena Vista dock in Saginaw to finish unloading. The Moore-Kuber turned at Sixth Street and were outbound for the lake, passing through Bay City mid-morning on Sunday. The tug Barbara Andrie and her tank barge were inbound Sunday morning, calling on the Bit-Mat Asphalt dock. This is already the third delivery of the season to Bit-Mat this season, which was the total number of deliveries there for the entire 2009 season. Barbara Andrie and her barge are expected to be outbound early Monday morning.