Boatnerd Discussion Forum

This evening StreamTimeLive posted a lengthy video (YouTube) of 34 Great Lakes ships with Christmas decorations, caught on their series of webcams.

The Sykes has some decorations on it now. It's heading through the Soo on the evening of the 23rd.

Wish I could help you out Dawn but, I know the feeling as I got my own problems with my home PC right now. I got an updated computer with Windows 11 to which I hate with a passion as now I’ve lost access to the photo program I used to use. My old PC used to have Windows Photo Gallery but I think that’s no longer available so I don’t l know what I can do now? I’ve had this computer for a few months now and I’m still trying to learn how to use it! I know your frustrations Dawn believe me with trying to access into your computer and your photos as indeed it can be very frustrating. Luckily for now at least I still have some access to my own photos but at some point I’ll be updating my 2nd computer I have then to the newer Windows programs. I’ve used Windows Photo Gallery and Picassa 3 for all of my photo editing and work and they both work great! Hate like heck to lose them as I honestly don’t know what I’ll do next for photos and editing programs. Indeed Dawn I hear your cry of help as I’m in the same vote and position too. Help me too boatnerds!

Well, I got a nice close-up (thanks to the Port Huron StreamTimeLive cam) of Lee A's expanded Christmas decor on the rear pilot house but can't copy/paste it or access my photos to link to it. I clicked on the photo icon and went to my photo but only got gibberish! Help!

Thanks for the update on the Boland and the Christmas tree on their unloading boom Bookworm as I’ll have to watch for that on the Webcams sometime when I know they’ll be on the St. Clair River or at the Soo sometime. I’ll tell you boatnerds what would really be neat to see sometime for Holiday Light Displays. On New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day seeing a ship with the new year all lit up in lights like say on their unloading boom then! You could have a self-unloading ship have for example 2025 on their boom then when we get to New Year’s Eve at night in 2024 if you will or New Year’s Day 2025, then flip on the light switch and there you go! Now that would be a neat idea and thing to see on a ship sometime. I would like to see more ships say during 4th of July put out and paint like a patriotic decoration as that would be cool too. I was very young only 4 when the USA had its Bi-Centennial birthday I think it was in 1976. Many ships in the US fleets were painted up for that event. I only wish back then I was old enough to see and photograph them as that would’ve been neat to see. Does anyone know and sorry to go off topic, did any of the Canadian ships paint or decorate once like a few US ones did like back in 1976? I would be interested in finding out and seeing photos sometime. Thanks for any info on this as well.

As John J. Boland locked through at the Soo this afternoon, the webcam zoomed in on a Christmas tree secured to her unloading boom.

Wasn't there an issue with Christmas light decorations contributing to a collision between a CSL ship and a Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker a few years ago that led to a reduction in the excessive displaying of holiday lighting?

Living on the south channel at Harsens Island, my wife and I thoroughly enjoy the decorated boats. For the crews who spend so much time on the boats and away from their families it has to bring joy to the season. It would be awesome to see more decorated.

Hi Bookworm and it’s nice to see you posting here once again! Indeed times sure has changed as far as the ships putting up outside holiday decorations. It certainly isn’t like it was 20 or so years ago that’s for certain. The Alpena is one that comes to mind as I think she still does a fine job each and every year on her decorations? Another I think that may do outside decorations is the John G. Munson. Years ago ships of the CSL fleet would go all in as far as outside holiday decorations go. There used to be many years ago, a contest at Port Colborne for best decorated outside holiday lights on a ship. The CSL Niagara once took this award home with them. I haven’t seen or heard anything further if there’s still a contest anymore or not? Years ago, I recall the Interlake footers used to have outside sets of lights put up stretching across their pilothouses. Don’t think the Cort ever did it but the other Interlake footers did once. I agree with you Bookworm as I too long and miss the days when ships used to decorate for the holiday season. One year I recall seeing the Anderson come down in Port Huron and they had two Christmas Trees tied down on their hatch cover crane. I’ve seen Christmas trees years ago tied down on the unloading booms of a few ships as well. Not sure if this is true or not however, I thought once I read and heard the reason the ships don’t decorate outside is that their lights are a distraction at night when other vessels are trying to navigate the rivers and looking and using different flashing markers and buoys at night. I may be wrong here? Hope all of this helps you out.

I saw the Block leaving Duluth a couple days ago, it looks like they went all out with the decorations

The displays have certainly dwindled over the years. Crew reductions means less opportunity to put them up as the operation would take precedence. In my previous company, there was a directive to only light them in port as to avoid confusion with our navigation lights. Purchased lights work against budget constraints. It’s a victim of the times.

As I watch ship traffic on the chain of livestream cams around the Great Lakes, I spotted a Christmas ⭐ on the rear pilot house of Lee A. Tregurtha on Saturday, December 14th.
When I started following ships 20 years ago, many were decorated but that number has dwindled. It has to be challenging to put up and take down the decorations in bitter cold and windy conditions, so thanks to the crews who do it. Your efforts and the beauty are appreciated!