Owen Sound News

The wreck of a World War II-era freighter has been discovered in over 600 feet of water around 35 miles north of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula.Over the last 7 years, shipwreck researcher Dan Fountain has been studying remote sensing data in the search for shipwrecks in Lake Superior. After coming across a particularly deep anomaly, he reached out to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) for help in identifying the potential wreck. In 2023 GLSHS Director of Marine Operations…

The ferry MS Chi-Cheemaun has been a staple of Georgian Bay for over 40 years. A $2.4-million renovation to convert the cafeteria into a fine dining area was completed in time for her re-entry into service for the 2016 sailing season. The interior design takes a completely new approach to how the space is used, with creation of seven specific lighting zones, a bar area, and a clear division between the fine dining and general dining areas. Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) provided architectural and engineering services…

Canadian Coast Guard and/or United States Coast Guard will be conducting icebreaking operations as they escort the laker MV Algomarine from Lake Michigan into Lake Huron, including Georgian Bay, where it will travel to Owen Sound for a winter lay-up. Operations for these areas are expected to take place on January 25 and 26, 2014. However, dates and routes are subject to change with little or no notice due to weather, ice conditions, shipping schedules or other unexpected situations.

The Canadian Coast Guard, in partnership with the United States Coast Guard and the Ontario Provincial Police, has an important safety message for all ice surface users near icebreaking operations and shipping routes in the Great Lakes. Broken and fragmented icy tracks left behind by icebreaking operations and other ship traffic may not freeze over immediately. Newly fallen snow may obscure icebreaker and ship tracks and changes in weather contribute to unsafe ice conditions that may remain long after the ships have left the area. All ice on or near the planned shipping routes and icebreaking operations should be considered unsafe during and after ship transits through these routes.

Susan Schrempf, President and CEO of the Owen Sound Transportation Company was honored with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. Throughout Ms. Schrempf’s tenure with the Owen Sound Transportation Company and Ontario Northland Transportation Commission, she has played a key role in Canada’s transportation industry. She is the past-president and 2nd vice-chair of the Canadian Ferry Operators Association (CFOA). “Susan has been an integral part of Canada’s transportation industry for many years, and we are very happy to see her receive this recognition,” said Serge Buy, CEO of CFOA. The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal marks the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty’s accession to the throne in 1952. The medal honors significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.

The Canadian Ferry Operators Association (CFOA) announce its team to lead the organization into 2013. CFOA is a member-based organization representing Canadian ferry owners and operators across the country. Ferries are an integral part of Canada’s transportation system. CFOA has more than 60 members, accounting for nearly all the major ferry routes in Canada. ·         Captain Jamie Marshall, Chair – British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. "“We look forward to working together to…

Northrop Grumman donate a Sperry Mk 14 gyrocompass & leather-bound operator's manual to HMCS Sackville Canadian Naval Memorial Trust. The vinatage gyro compass is for installation aboard the restored HMCS Sackville, a World War II-era corvette on the Halifax waterfront. The donation was presented at the Canadian Defence Security and Aerospace Exhibition Atlantic (DEFSEC) 2012, held annually in Halifax. The Sackville was moored alongside the Cunard Center, the home of DEFSEC, throughout the exhibition.

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has awarded a contract for the five-year drydocking of the M/V Pelee Islander to Great Lakes Shipyard, Cleveland, Ohio. The  Pelee Islander will arrive at Great Lakes Shipyard in early April and will be hauled-out using the Shipyard’s new 700-metric ton Marine Travelift. Work will include hull inspection and painting; propeller, shaft, and rudder inspection; steel work; and other routine maintenance. The M/V Pelee Islander is a passenger ferry operated by Owen Sound Transportation Company, an Agency of the Province of Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, and provides transportation services between Kingsville, Leamington, Ontario; Pelee Island, Ontario; and Sandusky, Ohio.

The 121st annual convention of International Ship Masters’ Association (ISMA), held in Detroit, Mich., concluded on Saturday, February 12, 2011. Grand Secretary-Treasurer: George R. ISMA encourages the development of new licensed maritime officers by offering annual scholarships. Cory T. Tommy B. At its discretion, ISMA bestows awards recognizing mariners for their roles in at-sea rescue and other acts of heroism on the waters of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway. Captain Steve Rose…

The McGuinty government is supporting Ontario’s marine transportation industry by investing in essential upgrades to the Great Lakes International Marine Training Centre in Owen Sound. “Ontario and Canada need well-trained graduates to navigate and operate our ships,” said Training, Colleges and Universities Minister Chris Bentley. The province is investing $3 million dollars to help the centre, located at Georgian College, purchase state-of-the-art visual navigation simulators, upgrade existing engineering equipment and improve distance-learning capabilities. The centre was established in 1969 and is the only accredited marine training institution in Ontario.

MarineSafety International, Inc., in conjunction with the Great Lakes International Marine Training Center at Georgian College, Owen Sound, Ontario, recently completed a joint training venture. Twenty-eight members of the Great Lakes Pilot Association (GLPA) were trained in Bridge Resource Management (BRM) and the operation of the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS). Five courses with a maximum class size of six were conducted during January, February and March. Training meets the requirements of Transport Canada requirement TP13117 and was audited by members of Transport Canada’s Marine Safety Division. The course consisted of classroom instruction…