Saginaw River Passages - December 19th

The USGC Cutter Bristol Bay escorted the tug Samuel de Champlain, and her cement barge, Innovation, into the Saginaw River on Thursday.  Bristol Bay broke the ice in the shipping channel then proceeded to open up the Lafarge Cement dock in Essexville and the Essexville turning basin before heading back outbound for the lake Thursday afternoon.  The Samuel de Champlain and Innovation were at Lafarge unloading through the day and were expected to be outbound early Friday morning.

USCG Cutter Bristol Bay opening up the Lafarge Cement dock in Essexville

Samuel de Champlain inbound at Consumers Energy

Unloading at Lafarge on Thursday afternoon

Saginaw River Passages - December 10, 2013

The tug Gregory J. Busch was outbound from the Saginaw River, early Tuesday morning, breaking a path through ice on the river and into Saginaw Bay, to allow safe passage of two inbound vessels.  The tug & barge combo of Olive L. Moore-Lewis J. Kuber was the first in.  The pair stopped at the Wirt Stone dock in Bay City for a partial unload, then continued upriver to finish unloading at the Wirt Stone dock in Saginaw.  Following closely behind was the H. Lee White, who called on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville to unload coal.  This was a somewhat surprising delivery as the majority of coal is brought to Consumers is by American Steamship 1000' vessels.  The White was outbound early Tuesday evening backing from the dock and out to open water in the Saginaw Bay to turn and head for the lake.

H. Lee White unloading coal at Consumers Energy in Essexville

Crew waiting to run a line forward

Gregory J. Busch upbound nearing Bay Harbor Marina

Stern view at the Essexville Ranges

Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber upbound at Cass Avenue

At Bay City Wirt, making the dock

Moore - Kuber at Bay City Wirt Stone Dock

Saginaw River Passages - December 6th & 7th

The Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber were outbound from the Saginaw River, late Saturday afternoon, after unloading at the Wirt Stone dock in Saginaw.  U.S.C.G. Cutter Hollyhock was also outbound late Saturday.  Hollyhock arrived on Friday, spending the night at the Consumers Energy Dock in Essexville.  She had been working AToN in the Saginaw River Entrance Channel.

Saginaw River Passage - December 1st & November Report

Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber were the first visitors of December to make a delivery to a Saginaw River dock.  The pair traveled upriver Sunday afternoon, calling on the GM dock in Saginaw.  They were expected to be outbound late in the evening or early Monday morning.

For the month of November, there were 20 commercial cargo deliveries/vessel passages on the Saginaw River, an increase of three over the same time period last season and three more than the five year average.  For the year to date, there have been 133 commercial cargo deliveries/vessel passages.  This represents an increase of six deliveries more than the same period last season, but four less than the five year average.

Saginaw River Passages - November 29th

The Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber arrived on the Saginaw River early Friday morning, carrying a split cargo for the Bay City and Saginaw Wirt Stone docks.  The pair were upbound in the ice that has formed on the Saginaw River, headed for Saginaw Wirt, around 9am Friday.  The H. Lee White was inbound early in the afternoon Friday, bound for the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City.  Both the Moore-Kuber and H. Lee White were outbound Friday evening.  The Sloman Hermes, with assistance from the tug Gregory J. Busch, entered the Saginaw River and called on the Port Fisher Fertilizer Dock in Bay City.  This is only the second delivery to this dock by water.  The Hermes was expected to be outbound sometime on Saturday.

Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber inbound nearing the Burroughs dock in Zilwaukee - November 29, 2013

Nearing the I-75/Zilwaukee Bridge

H. Lee White inbound nearing the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City - November 29, 2013

H. Lee White bow in the ice on the Saginaw River

Sloman Hermes unloading at the Port Fisher Fertilizer Dock

Lewis J. Kuber bow in the ice on the Saginaw River

Saginaw River Passage - November 26th

Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber were inbound on the Saginaw River, Tuesday morning, delivering a split cargo for the Bay City and the Saginaw Wirt Stone Docks.  After unloading, the Olive L. refueled at the Burroughs dock in Zilwaukee and then the pair departed for the lake, late Tuesday afternoon.

Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber inbound on the Saginaw River, early Tuesday morning

Calumet Photos From November 24th

Calumet unloading at Bay City Wirt - November 24, 2013

Saginaw River Passages - November 23rd, 24th, & 25th

The Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber called on the Saginaw River on Sunday, unloading at the Wirt Stone Dock in Saginaw.  The pair were outbound later in the day.  Monday saw the arrival of the Calumet, unloading a split cargo between the Burroughs North dock in Essexville and the Wirt Stone dock in Bay City.  She turned of the Wirt dock in the Wirt basin and was outbound Monday night.  The G.L. Ostrander - Integrity arrived at the Lafarge Cement dock in Essexville, early Monday morning, and were expected to be outbound by late evening or early Tuesday morning.

Saginaw River Passages - November 22nd

The Talassa Desgagnes, unloaded liquefied Asphalt overnight at the Bit-Mat dock in Bay City.  She was outbound for the lake Friday morning.  This was the first time since the Bit-Mat dock opened a number of years ago, that product was brought in by a tanker, rather than a tug/tank barge combo.  The tug Gregory J. Busch was inbound Friday afternoon, called in her home dock in Carrollton.

Saginaw River Passages - Novmeber 21st

The Thalassa Desgagnes arrived on the Saginaw River Thursday morning.  She initially turned in the Essexville basin and was off the Port Fisher Fertilizer dock.  She is now backed into the slip at Bay Aggregates in Bay City.   The tug Gregory J. Busch was outbound for the lake, rounding the tip of the thumb and heading down Lake Huron. 

Saginaw River Passage - November 20th

Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber called on the Saginaw River on Wednesday, carrying a split cargo for the Bay Aggregates Dock in Bay City and the Buena Vista dock in Saginaw.  They pair were expected to be back outbound late in the evening or early Thursday morning.

Saginaw River Passage - November 19th

American Century arrived at the front range of the Saginaw River, late Tuesday morning.  She called on the Consumers Energy Dock in Essexville, unloading her cargo of coal through the day.  The American Century was expected to back from the dock, turn at Light 12 and be outbound for the lake, late Tuesday evening.

American Century inbound at the Saginaw River Front Range

Another view

Wide view nearing the coal pile at Consumers Energy

Saginaw River Passages - November 17th

Calumet arrived on Saturday morning, calling on the Burroughs North dock in Essexville, to unload.  She was followed a short time later by the Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber, who traveled upriver to unload at the Saginaw Wirt Stone dock.  Both were able to finish unloading and make it out of the Saginaw River before the storm front came in and high southerly winds dropped water levels to an unsafe level.

Saginaw River Passage - November 14th

Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber were inbound on the Saginaw River on Thursday, carrying a split cargo for the Bay City and Saginaw Wirt Stone docks.  There pair were expected to be outbound late Thursday night.  The U.S.C.G. Cutter Hollyhock was busy working AToN during the day Thursday, placing winter buoys in the Saginaw River Entrance Channel.

Saginaw River Passages - November 9th & 10th

Manistee called on the Saginaw River early Saturday morning, traveling up to the Lafarge Stone dock in Saginaw to unload.  The tug Spartan and barge Spartan II were also inbound, calling on the Dow Chemical dock in Bay City.  Manistee was outbound late Saturday night, while Spartan - Spartan II was outbound Sunday afternoon.  Sunday evening, Saginaw departed the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City and headed for the lake.  Saginaw was brought into the Saginaw River on Wednesday, towed by the tug Manitou.  With repairs completed, Saginaw is on her way to her original destination.

Saginaw River Passage - November 6th

The tug Manitou was inbound for the Saginaw River this afternoon towing the M/V Saginaw close behind, dead ship.  Saginaw experienced mechanical issues and was towed to the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City for repairs.  The Captain of the tug Manitou effortlessly maneuvered Saginaw into the narrow slip at Bay Aggregates around 2pm this afternoon.  It is hoped she will be repaired and headed for the lakes before the weekend is over.  Saginaw has a cargo of wheat on board.

Manitou towing Saginaw at the Front Range, inbound for Bay City

Stern view passing the Consumers Energy power plant in Essexville

One of my favorite tugs - Manitou

Saginaw River Passages - November 5th

American Century arrived on the Saginaw River, early Tuesday morning, to unload coal at the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville.  She backed from the during the late afternoon, turned at Light 12 and was headed outbound for the lake.  Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber were also inbound on Tuesday, heading upbound for Zilwaukee.  The pair were outbound from the Burroughs dock early in the evening.

Just to add more information about the visit from the saltie, Elevit, on Sunday, while she was tied up at the Dow Chemical dock, she was actually unloading her cargo to a new fertilizer facility.  Known as the Port Fisher Fertilizer dock, this was the first cargo delivered there by water, instead of rail.  Fisher is also the parent company of the Bay Aggregates dock, which is located right next to the new fertilizer facility.  There is another cargo expected here during November.


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Todd Shorkey

Saginaw River Passages - November 3rd

The Saginaw River welcomed its first salt water vessel in four years on Sunday Morning, with the arrival of the tanker, Elevit.  Assisted by the tug Gregory J. Busch, Elevit called on the Dow Chemical dock in Essexville.  Alpena was inbound Sunday evening, calling on the Lafarge Cement dock in Essexvillle to unload.  Both vessels were expected to be outbound on Monday.

The last saltie to call on the Saginaw River was the OXL Lotus, on July 5, 2009.  She didn't sctually make it to the river, but rather anchored out in Saginaw Bay, with the tug Gregory J. Busch and barge STC 2004 making seven trips between the her and the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville to unload the cargo.  Before that, the Onego Merchant was the last saltie to actually travel up the Saginaw River, arriving on June 22, 2006, to unload totes of granulated sugar at the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee for Michigan Sugar Company.

Elevit inbound at Smith Park in Essexville with the tug Gregory J. Busch trailing behind.
Thank you to Patrick Caauwe for allowing me to use his great photo

Saginaw River - October Report

At the end of October, there were 13 commercial vessel deliveries on the Saginaw River.  This was down by one as compared to last year and represented the fewest deliveries October over the past five years.  The five year average is seventeen.  For the year to date, there have been 113 commercial vessel deliveries, up three from the same period in 2012.  The five year average for this date is 120 vessel deliveries.

Saginaw River Passage - October 27th & 28th

Traffic has been very slow on the Saginaw River the past few weeks.  With the first commercial deliveries since October 20th, the Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber and Indiana Harbor were both recent visitors.  The Moore - Kuber arrived with a split cargo on Saturday, unloading at both the Bay Aggregates Dock in Bay City and the Buena Vista Dock in Saginaw.  The pair were outbound early Sunday morning.  Indiana Harbor arrived on Sunday, unloading at the Consumers Energy Dock in Essexville.  She was outbound later in the evening.
The tug/barge combo, Defiance-Ashtabula, called on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City on Monday to unload.  The pair was outbound later in the day.

Saginaw River Passage - October 20th

Fleetmates Calumet and Manitowoc both called on the Saginaw River on Sunday.  Calumet unloaded at the Burroughs North dock in Essexville, while Manitowoc called on the Wirt Stone Dock in Bay City to unload.  Both vessels were outbound later in the day Sunday.

Alpena Photos

Alpena unloading at the Lafarge Cement dock in Essexville - October 16, 2013

Alpena on the Saginaw Bay about 7 miles from the mouth of the Saginaw River.  This photo was taken by my good friend, David Jankowiak.  Thanks Dave!

Alpena unloading at the Lafarge Cement dock in Essexville - October 16, 2013

Saginaw River Passages - October 15th

After six days of inactivity on the Saginaw River, two vessels called on docks along her banks Tuesday evening.  Alpena was the first to arrive, calling on the Lafarge Cement Dock in Essexville to unload.  She was followed a short time later by the tug Undaunted and her barge, Pere Marquette 41, who called on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City to unload.  Both Alpena and Undaunted/PM 41 were expected to be outbound on Wednesday.

Saginaw River Passage - October 9th

Buffalo called on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City on Wednesday to unload.  She was back outbound for the lake very early Thursday morning.

Saginaw River Passages - September 30th to October 6th

Well, back from over a week of camping.  Here are the updates:

There were a number of vessel passages on the Saginaw River in the past week.  Algoway unloaded at the North Star dock in Essexville on Sept. 30th.  On October 1st, Manitowoc unloaded at an unknown Saginaw River dock.  Indiana Harbor unloaded at the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville on October 5th.  On October 6th, Alpena unloaded at the Lafarge Cement dock in Essexville and the Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber delivered a split cargo to the Burroughs North dock in Essexville and the GM dock in Saginaw.

Commercial vessel deliveries to the Saginaw River totaled 16 during the month of September.  This is five more deliveries then during the same period in 2012 and just one less than the five year average of 17.  Looking at year to date numbers, through the end of September 2013, there were 100 commercial vessel passages on the Saginaw River.  Four more than the same period in 2012 and just three below the five year average of 103.

Thank you for your patience!

Saginaw River Passages - September 23rd

Manitowoc was inbound the Saginaw River early Monday morning, unloading at the GM dock in Saginaw.  She was outbound later in the day.
Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber were also inbound on Monday, carrying a split cargo for the Bay City and Saginaw Wirt Stone docks.  The pair finished unloading and were outbound late Monday

Saginaw River Passages - September 22nd

Indiana Harbor called on the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville, early Sunday morning, to unload coal.  She backed from the dock later in the afternoon, turned at Light 12 and headed outbound for the lake.
Samuel de Champlain - Innovation were inbound Sunday night, calling on the Lafarge Cement dock in Essexville to unload.  The pair were expected to be outbound Monday morning.

Saginaw River Passages - September 20th

Friday morning saw the tug Undaunted and her barge, Pere Marquette 41, called on the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City to unload.  The pair had finished by early in the evening and backed from the slip, headed for the lake.  Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber were back again, this time with a split cargo for the Bay City Wirt Stone Dock and the GM dock in Saginaw.  The pair were expected to be outbound early Saturday morning.

Unloading at Bay City Wirt

Appledore IV following the Undaunted - Pere Marquette out of the Saginaw River

Saginaw River Passages - September 17th & 18th

Algorail called on the Saginaw River on Tuesday, unloading at the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee.  She was back outbound late Tuesday afternoon.  Wednesday saw the Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber arrive with a split cargo for the Burroughs North dock in Essexville and the Lafarge Stone Dock in Saginaw.  The pair finished unloading and were outbound for the lake Wednesday afternoon.

Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber upbound on the Saginaw River, just below Cheboyganing Creek

Stern view

Saginaw River Passage - September 14th

Mississagi was inbound the Saginaw River Saturday morning, traveling upriver to unload at the Sargent Stone Dock in Zilwaukee.  She was headed back outbound for the lake during the late afternoon.

Saginaw River Passage - September 9th

American Integrity was inbound on the Saginaw Bay, early Monday morning, headed for the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville to unload.  Once finished, she backed from the dock and out to Light 12, before turning around and heading for the lake.  American Integrity was outbound by 9am Monday.

August Saginaw River Passages

For the month of August, there were 21 commercial vessel deliveries on the Saginaw River.  This is up by six over the same period last year and right on par with the five year average of 21 passages for August.

For the year to date, there have been 84 vessel passages.  This is only one passage less than the same period last season.  Compared to the five year average it is two passages less.  It appears shipping traffic has leveled out on the Saginaw River after the continual decreases year after year.  While it is encouraging, the deliveries are still a far cry from what they were just 8 to 10 years ago.

Saginaw River Passages August 23rd to September 1st

I have finally caught up on the passages I missed while on vacation.  Here are the passages from August 23rd until September 1st:

8/23 - Olive L. Moore/Lewis J. Kuber -  Essexville Wirt Sand and Stone dock & Saginaw Wirt Dock

8/24 - Manitowoc - Bay City Wirt Dock

8/25 - Olive L. Moore/Lewis J. Kuber - Bay Aggregates Dock.

8/26 - Calumet - GM Dock
8/26 - American Integrity - Consumers Energy Dock

8/27 - Olive L. Moore/Lewis J. Kuber - Bay Aggregates Dock

8/30 - Olive L. Moore/Lewis J. Kuber - Bay City Wirt Dock & Saginaw Wirt Dock

9/1 - Olive L. Moore/Lewis J. Kuber - Bay Aggregates Dock

Back from Vacation......Updates Soon

Hi All,

I am back from a week of camping and sifting through the passages that I missed while I was gone.  The updates will be posted soon.  Thank you for your patience!

I leave you with this clue of where I have been:

Saginaw River Passage - August 19th

The Olive L. Moore - Lewis J. Kuber called on the Saginaw River Monday morning, delivering a split cargo.  The pair stopped first at the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City for a partial unload, then continued upriver to finish at the Buena Vista Dock in Saginaw to finish.  Thee Moore-Kuber were outbound Monday evening.