Saginaw River Images: 2026

Sunday, January 4, 2026

Saginaw River - 2025 in Review: April

April had a rough start with heavy rains and strong river currents. Sam Laud spent three days anchored out on Saginaw Bay before she was able to enter the river and Samuel de Champlain/Innovation needed an assist from the tug North Dakota with turning off the AmRize Cement Dock in Essexville. For the month there were 8 vessel passages, six fewer than the year before with two going to the upper river. Sam Laud was the first to travel to the upper river on April 10th, passing the almost non-existent Lafayette Bridge. Calling on the river in April were Sam Laud, Samuel de Champlain/Innovation, Robert S. Pierson, Manitowoc, Defiance/Ashtabula, John J. Boland, and Algoma Innovation.

Saginaw River - 2025 in Review: March

2025 Season in Review: March

March 21, 2025: Early this morning, when many people were up at the Soo, waiting for the 8am opening of the locks for the season, Samuel de Champlain/Innovation quietly eased up the Saginaw River with little fanfare, arriving at the Holcim Cement Dock in Essexville around 4am, marking the first vessel and delivery of the 2025 shipping season. For the three Holcim workers and myself, who were there for the arrival, it was a beautiful morning, with clear skies and a light breeze.

Following the boats of the Saginaw River and Great Lakes

Here is a little background on my history with the boats: I have been an avid photographer and follower of the big lake freighters that carry their cargoes between the ports of the Great Lakes. During that time, a number of my photos have been used by various shipping companies and in publications from the U.S. Coast Guard, Lake Carriers Association, the Marine Legal Review, and in the annual boatwatchers bible, "Know Your Ships". I also report news and vessel passage information from the Saginaw River to both Boatnerd.com and to the local newspaper, The Bay City Times, and have been fortunate enough to have had the honor of being aboard and taking a trip on a Great Lakes Freighter. I am also a licensed U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner, Captain and deckhand for the Bay City Boat Lines, and a Deckhand for Malcom Marine, Inc.

In this blog, you will see information on the vessels that ply the waters of the Saginaw River, photos, and vessel passage information. I hope that you will enjoy what is posted here.