Saginaw River Report - November 2022

There were a total of 22 commercial vessel passages on the Saginaw River for the month of November 2022, with 9 different docks receiving 24 separate deliveries of product, accounting for split cargos delivered to multiple docks.  This represents 5 more passages than in November 2021, and is higher than the 5-year average of 19, the 10-year average of 16 and the 15-year average for November at 17 passages.

For the total number of commercial vessel passages for the year-to-date, the number is 173.  This number represents an increase of 20 passages based on the total from last year at this point, and more vessel passages than 2021 for the entire season.  Looking at the long term averages, it is also an increase compared to the 5-year average of 164 passages, 10-year average of 143 passages, and the 15-year average of 145 passages.

Saginaw River Passage - December 1, 2022

Algoma Intrepid inbound on the Saginaw River, headed for the Wirt Sand and Stone Fertilizer Dock in Essexville to unload Potash.

Saginaw River Passage - November 30, 2022

High winds and low water levels on the Saginaw River have delayed shipping traffic. The tug Spartan and her tank barge remained tied up at the Port Fisher Terminals Dock in Bay City, waiting to depart after unloading there yesterday. Paul R. Tregurtha is at anchor off Point Lookout in Saginaw Bay waiting to unload coal at Consumers Energy in Essexville, and Algoma Intrepid is at anchor off Tawas also waiting to come into Essexville to unload, most likely at the Wirt Fertilizer Dock. The highest winds were recorded just after 4pm today with westerly winds around 37 knots and the peak gust at 46 knots.  

Saginaw River Passage - November 25, 2022

BBC Song at the Port Fisher Terminals Dock in Bay City and heading outbound on the Saginaw River. She was assisted by the tug Manitou.

Saginaw River Passage - November 23, 2022 - Part 2

Built in 1919, the tug Gregory J. Busch remains tied up on the Saginaw River at the Busch Marine Dock in Carrollton. The 1938 built tug, Barbara Merry Busch, rests along side, sitting on the bottom and severely listing. The Barbara Merry Busch was purchased by Busch Marine from the Zenith Tugboat Company in 2006 and has basically remained where she sits since then. Also, the Gregory J. Busch has not been active in a number of years. These photos are from November 23, 2022 

Saginaw River Passage - November 23, 2022

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

BBC Song unloading at the Port Fisher Terminals Dock in Bay City, November 23, 2022

Saginaw River Passage - November 18, 2022

Happy River and Calumet were both inbound on the Saginaw River this morning, with Happy River calling on the Port Fisher Terminals Dock to unload wind turbine components and Calumet headed up to the Saginaw Asphalt/Buena Vista dock to unload.