Boatnerd Discussion Forum

The first downbound vessel at the Soo Locks the John G. Munson is off of Marquette, Michigan at 6:20 p.m. on March 24. The Gott and Roger Blough both are slowly creeping up the St. Marys River with aid and assistance from the Katmai Bay. The Mackinaw is up in the Upper St. Marys River near Whitefish Point and Isle Parisienne and working the ice fields and tracks up there. It won't be much longer now boatnerds and the 2015 season will be officially underway! Can you hear the ships whistles and salutes? I think I can and also I think I can envision in my mind them talking to Soo Traffic and the Lockmaster. If only I lived closer to the Soo to see the action!

The Gott and Blough are still in the lower St. Marys River heading upbound to the Soo Locks. As 12:40 p.m. on March 24 the Munson and the Alder are off the Keewenaw Peninsula at this time.

Both the Gott and Roger Blough entered the St. Marys River early this morning heading upbound. The Gott is ahead of the Blough and would appear to be the first ship arrival for the 2015 season at the Soo Locks when they arrive at the Lower Piers to await for the opening late tonight. The Munson is between Isle Royale along with the Keewenaw Peninsula as I type this now at 8:45 A.M. March 24.

The Gott passed by Mackinaw Island with assistance from the USCG Cutter Biscayne Bay at 10 P.M. this evening. It is looking more and more like the Gott could be the first ship for the 2015 season at the Soo Locks. The Munson will likely be the first one to head downbound for 2015. This is also the second consecutive year that vessels from the USS/GLF have opened the Soo. In 2014 the Cason J. Callaway was the first downbound and opened the Soo on April 4, while fleetmate Roger Blough was the first one upbound. Prior to 2014 though, vessels from the Interlake Steamship have been opening the Soo the past few years. Better get your camers ready boatnerds as it won't be long now! Let the good times roll!

Both the Gott and the Biscayne Bay are in the Straits right now and westbound of the Mackinac Bridge as I type this at 4:55 p.m. EDT on March 23. Looks like the Gott could be one of the first arrivals at the Soo for the 2015 season.

Okay boatnerds time is getting close at hand! Who is your money for the first boat at the Soo in 2015 and No Mackinaws or CGs either. I mean commercial freighters only for your first pick of the year at the Soo! Looks like right now as I type, the Gott could be the first upbound and the Munson the first downbound. I say the Gott will more than likely beat the Munson since the Gott has a shorter run to the Soo from Lake Michigan than the Munson does having to cross all of Lake Superior. Granted, and yes I do know that ice can be an issue with transit times as well. I would have to believe the Gott with all of its HP will beat the Munson to the locks in the next day or so. At any rate, it looks like USS/GLF is back in the business of being "First ship at the Soo Locks as in the past few seasons before 2014, Interlake has held the title for a number of seasons!" Final question, why doesn't ASC ever have their ships be the first at the Soo as they always fitout late every season long after everyone else has fitted out?" Just my thoughts only here!

Bookworm wrote:According to today's Boatnerd News, Roger Blough left Erie late yesterday afternoon and is making a slow transit across Lake Erie. Although AIS isn't showing Blough (08:15), I see Neah Bay is working the ice off of Conneaut, and suspect that's Blough's current position.
As the first vessel up-bound on the St. Clair River, I can only hope it will be in daylight hours.

The Blough did report a broken prop, and was still sitting by Erie, repair time (?)

Unless I miss my guess, HCJ & LAT will be leaving their Nicholson berths by April 1st. but will they go south for loads at Toledo or Sandusky or head straight to Escanaba, Marquette, or Duluth?

I hear and agree with you Bookworm as if I were you, I would also hope to see the first one upbound or even downbound on the river during daylight hours. In looking ahead in my "crystal ball if you will that is, I can see one of these two either the CSL St-Laurent or the CSL Welland possibly heading upbound on the St. Clair River right after Easter during that week!" Why then people would ask me? Because the Seaway opens on April 2 and both ships will more than likely head for Thunder Bay or Lake Superior ports. Give them three to four days from the Seaway Opening and what do you get? Sometime after Easter which is on April 5. My point is, no way am I going to the Tigers Home Opener or any baseball games that week as I want to head to the river that week and catch some on their first runs of the year. I can see Tiger games anytime, we live for these boats and ships every year. It's our Christmas and our time!

According to today's Boatnerd News, Roger Blough left Erie late yesterday afternoon and is making a slow transit across Lake Erie. Although AIS isn't showing Blough (08:15), I see Neah Bay is working the ice off of Conneaut, and suspect that's Blough's current position.
As the first vessel up-bound on the St. Clair River, I can only hope it will be in daylight hours.

I was aware of that Steve and thanks for reminding me and also everyone else of that. Just was curious though if anyone had any picks or predictions like my earlier post says on First Ships for the 2015 season at the Soo and the Seaway in St. Lambert? You can also include the Welland Canal as well but, as I said earlier I don't know who could be the first ones there? I suppose it could be any number of ships laid-up in Port Colborne, Hamilton or Toronto. Algoma Enterprise is at Port Weller Drydocks getting her five-year done and I don't know when she will be ready to sail? Guess we will have to wait and see when the time comes. It's not long now!

There are two Top Hats for the Welland Canal. Port Colborne has one for the first downbound. Lock 3's Top Hat is better known and attended.

Steve

Okay boatnerds it is that time of year again and Happy Spring as well to all before I forget finally! With only five days until the start of the 2015 season at the Soo Locks, time to start making our picks and predictions for "First Ship of the Year and that is also not counting the Mackinaw or CGs as most people do!" Last year we had the Callaway the first boat and downbound, while I believe the Roger Blough was the first one up at the Soo. So, the questions are "Who will take the crown this year as first one at the Soo along with the Seaway in Montreal and the Welland Canal!" Here it goes for me and my predictions and picks. First at the Soo either the Speer or Roger Blough as the Blough was scheduled to leave Erie this weekend. First one down I say is the Munson as they are due to load at Duluth on March 23. As for the Seaway, I say either CWB Marquis or CSL St-Laurent for the first one at the St. Lambert Lock. As for the Welland, sorry as I don't have any clues or guess there. Anyone care to make their picks, predictions and guesses here?