STATE OF MICHIGAN
T/S State of Michigan Visiting Toledo
Great Lakes Maritime Academy Training Vessel to Make First-ever Stop in Toledo – May 25. Officials with The Maritime Academy of Toledo and the Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City, MI have announced that the Great Lakes Maritime Academy training vessel, T/S State of Michigan, will make her first-ever visit to Toledo on Friday, May 25, 2012. The scheduled stop fulfills an announcement made October 18, 2011 during Maritime Education Awareness Week at The Maritime Academy of Toledo. At that time Ms. Renee Marazon, Superintendent, The Maritime Academy of Toledo along with Mr. John Berck, Director of Admissions and Captain Mike Surgalski, Master, T/S State of Michigan, both from the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, announced the Toledo visit which will allow The Great Lakes Maritime Academy to visit the students at The Maritime Academy of Toledo to talk about maritime education and career opportunities. Students from The Maritime Academy of Toledo will be given a private tour of the vessel. T/S State of Michigan is the 224-foot former Navy submarine surveillance ship Persistent. Originally launched in 1985 as the USNS Persistent (T-AGOS-6); the T/S State of Michigan was commissioned as a Stalwart class Tactical Auxiliary General Ocean Surveillance Ship (TAGOS). She was built as an ocean submarine surveillance vessel to tow highly sensitive sonar arrays to track Soviet submarines during the Cold War
Avtron Upgrades T/S State of Michigan
Avtron upgrades T/S State of Michigan propulsion system with an Avtron ADD-32 Electric Drive System. The T/S State of Michigan is a 224 ft. ex-T-AGOS vessel currently used by the Great Lakes Maritime Academy (GLMA) as a training vessel. After serving as surveillance vessels for the U.S. Military through the 80s and 90s, many T-AGOS class ships have been reassigned for research and training purposes. The existing analog drive system was obsolete and unsupportable.
Michigan to Regulate Ballast Water Discharges
The State of Michigan enacted two laws intended to regulate discharges in the state of ballast water from ocean-going ships. Act No. 32 broadly prohibits injurious discharges and specifically prohibits unauthorized discharges of ballast water from oceangoing ships. Act No. 33 provides that, effective January 1, 2007, an ocean-going ship may not engage in port operations in the state unless it has a permit and that, to obtain a permit
First Ship Opens Detroit's Shipping Season
Monday, April 20, 2009, the Port of Detroit welcomed the arrival of the ocean going vessel, Federal Pride, at 6:00 p.m. at the Nicholson Terminal & Dock Company. The ship's arrival began the port's 2009 shipping season. The Federal Pride, a Cyprus flagged vessel, set sail on April 3, 2009 from Teesport, United Kingdom and Antwerp, Belgium with a cargo of steel. The ship, 470 ft long with a 75 ft beam, sailed under the command of Captain Maciej A. Adamiak
AWO Hails Asian Carp Decision
The American Waterways Operators (AWO) hailed the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to keep the Illinois Waterway System locks open for the free flow of commerce. The Court rejected a petition brought by the State of Michigan and other Great Lakes states against the State of Illinois that sought a preliminary injunction to close the locks to prevent Asian carp from entering Lake Michigan. U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan had argued that closing the locks was not justified by available
Bio-fuel's Potential Shown by Marad Tests
Tests by the US Maritime Administration show potential exists for cleaner, renewable marine fuel The Maritime Administration has announced its analysis of a test conducted with algae-based biofuel on one of its large commercial-size vessels. This cutting-edge research used marine engines aboard the Great Lakes Maritime Academy training ship, the TS State of Michigan, to measure emissions reduction impacts. The project is part of a joint effort by the Departments of Defense and
NAVSEA Sponsors Program at U. of Michigan
The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) has created a Summer Naval Surface Ship Design program in cooperation with the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at the University of Michigan. The program will run from May 1 to June 16 and will include professors from the University of Michigan, the Naval Postgraduate School, Virginia Tech and instructors from NAVSEA’s Engineering Future Concepts and Surface Ship Design, Ship Costing, and Combat Systems Groups
U.S. District Court Rules Against Closing Chicago Locks
The American Waterways Operators (AWO) applauded the decision announced on Thursday by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois that denied a motion for preliminary injunction filed by five Great Lakes states to close Chicago area locks as a way of preventing the migration of Asian carp into Lake Michigan. AWO and a coalition of industries and associations had intervened on the side of the defendants, the U.S
Great Lakes Crisis Continues: Dredging and Water Both Needed
Lake Michigan-Huron sets all-time record for lowest monthly water level. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District through its Great Lakes Hydraulics and Hydrology Office reports a preliminary new record low water level for Lake Michigan-Huron for the second month in a row. The new record low of 175.57 meters or 576.02 feet is not only the lowest January monthly average water level ever recorded, but also the lowest monthly average ever recorded for any month over the official
Great Lakes Community Soon Treading on Thin Ice
US Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan advises of the dangers as increasingly warmer temperatures weaken ice. The Coast Guard warns that warmer temperatures present the possibility of extremely hazardous ice conditions throughout Lake Michigan, including Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay, Lake Winnebago, and other surrounding bodies of water and harbors. Recent trends suggesting decreased stability of ice reveal a danger to citizens ice fishing or transiting on the ice whether by foot or snowmobile.
New Coast Guard Response Boat Delivered
Coast Guard Station Charlevoix, Michigan, accept delivery of the station’s new 45-foot Response Boat-Medium, built by Marinette Marine, of Manitowoc, Wis. The RB-M can respond faster than previous boats of similar size with a top speed in excess of 40 knots and has advanced search
Logistics in Action: Keeping Cargo Moving
Although much of the country is welcoming spring and the warm weather that comes with it, many of the Great Lakes waterways are still laden with ice. Coast Guard icebreaking tugs continue to work on the lakes to keep critical shipping lanes clear for merchant vessels
University of Mich. To Host Panel on Low Great Lakes Levels
The University of Michigan will host a seminar and panel discussion entitled “Low Great Lakes Water Levels: Understanding the causes and potential consequences” on May 30 from 3-5 p.m. at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Lobbyists Begin Capitol Hill 'Sail-In'
Representatives from U.S.-flag maritime labor and industry work the halls of Capitol Hill together to promote their cause. The delegation came to promote various issues affecting those who work, sail, build and operate American vessels as well as nation’s harbors, ports and waterways.
World's First Hi-speed Amphibian's Miami Debut
The GIBBS Quadski, will make its Miami debut at this year's International Boat Show. The dream of two visionary entrepreneurs -- Alan Gibbs and Neil Jenkins -- the Quadski is the product of millions of research dollars and years of development work in the U.S., New Zealand and the UK
Great Lakes Dredging hinges on Federal Legislation
House and Senate Bills Offer Hope for Lakes Dredging Crisis. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have taken up legislation that could end the dredging crisis on the Great Lakes. H.R. 335 and S. 218 would require the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (“HMTF”) to
Great Lakes Ore Trade Down 11%
Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes in January totaled 3.2 million tons, a decrease of 11% compared to a year ago. The comparison is somewhat problematic, as the locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, stayed open until January 18 in 2012, but closed on January 15 this year
LCA Endorses Government Report
U.S.-flag shipping on the Great Lakes provides efficient, safe, and environmentally sound transportation services to industries that are the backbone of the American economy finds a report released on February 12 by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration.
Michigan Marinas Need Deeper Water
Michigan Boating Industries Association (MBIA) applauds introduction of legislation to help marinas during dredging crisis. Senate Bill No. 215, introduced by Senators Brandenburg, Hansen, Casperson, Booher, Green, Walker, Robertson, Jones, Proos and Smith is an act which will provide for low
Lake Michigan Coal-burning Ferry: Future Questioned
The EPA permit that has long allowed the SS Badger to dump coal ash into the lake is now under review. On the shores of Lake Michigan, the tiny town of Ludington, Mich., is home port to the last coal-fired ferry in the U.S. The SS Badger has been making trips across the lake to Manitowoc, Wis
Royal Caribean Names Rob Zeiger VP, Global Communications Officer
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has named Rob Zeiger to the position of vice president, global chief communications officer. Zeiger is responsible for leading Royal Caribbean’s overall communications, corporate social responsibility, public relations and corporate positioning strategies
First U.S.-Flag "Lakers" Back In Service; 52 More To Follow
The 2013 Great Lakes shipping season began on March 2 with the sailing of the tug/barge unit Prentiss Brown/St. Mary’s Conquest. The vessel, operated by Port City Marine Services, departed its winter lay-up berth in Milwaukee and sailed for Charlevoix, Michigan, where it loaded 9
Great Lakes 2013 Shipping Preparations Begin
The Coast Guard Cutter 'Mackinaw' breaks ice in Western Lake Superior in preparation for the upcoming shipping season. The Mackinaw (WLBB-30) is the only U.S. heavy ice breaking resource assigned to the Great Lakes and in addition to heavy icebreaking other missions of the crew include servicing
Lake Michigan Marinas Applaud Dredging Assistance Package
The Michigan Boating Industries Association (MBIA) thanks the Michigan State House and Senate for speedy support of bills. The package included assistance to public and private marinas and helped streamline the regulatory process within the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
USGS to Receive New Great Lakes Research Vessel
The U.S. Geological Survey awarded a contract for the construction of a large research vessel for Lakes Huron, Michigan, and Superior to Burger Boat Company of Manitowoc, Wis. The vessel will replace the 38-year-old Grayling, bringing the USGS Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) large vessel