Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Well Guest, I got lucky yesterday up on the St. Clair River and saw the Algoma Equinox for the very first time and I must admit she is quite an impressive looking ship. What a treat as I saw the Paul R. Tregurtha and the Algoma Equinox all in one day while up on the river. Life doesn't get any better than that! As for what you said about the Mapleglen, I wouldn't have seen her anyway as she came down this past week at night and by the time she got down to Detroit it was daylight and I am not chasing a boat that far down the river. So if the Mapleglen is still around in 2014 and sailing, hopefully I will see it. If not then, it is what it is and I got to see her once in 2011 before she got repainted which for me is better than not seeing her I guess as that is how I look at it.

Sorry to hear that Denny as there is still plenty of season left to get out on the River. Sounds like you will miss what is possibly Mapleglen's "only and last" trip up here for the season. Don't forget also that the Algoma Montrealais is finished and done at the end of the season and will probably be scrap. And there is always the first upper lakes voyage of the Algoma Equinox to be had. Plus you cannot forget the large amount of salties up here for the "Fall Grain Rush!" In short it is a shame that you can't get out to the river as the ever changing weather and weather related backups make December the best month for boatnerding in my humblest of opinions.

You take care my friend and enjoy your winter and we will see you on the River next year!

Well boatnerds and boatwatchers, it is with deepest regret and sadness that I must report that "It is over!" My season up on the river came to a sudden end on November 16 and man did I want to keep it going as I never made 30 trips out to the St. Clair River but, not complaining as I got there 28 times and see lots of boats.
I could keep going but, I live about an hour from Port Huron and in the winter we all know what types of weather and snow and ice they can get in December! I am not used to driving in that stuff and have never had any experience nor do I ever want to have. My season runs generally from April or May until mid-November.
There are always gonna be ships and crews that did not come into port and here is a few that did not come in for me in 2013.

Algoma Navigator
Algosteel
John B. Aird
Algoscotia
Burns Harbor
H. Lee White
Atlantic Huron
CSL Assiniboine
Maplglen
Salarium
Catherine Desgagnes
Maria Desgagnes
Defiance and Ashtabula

There are more that could be added but, these are the main ones that travel on the St. Clair River. I left out tugs and barge lists as there are just too many to include here. So, I guess you could say that I didn't do too bad in 2013 despite the ones that I didn't see. If anyone thinks that this list is something, you should see some of the saltwater ships that I haven't seen also. It is incredible as some I have not seen in ten years or more. Guess I somehow need to get out to the river more and start seeing some of them.

Well, I had two more visitors come and see me today while up on the St. Clair River. I finally got to see the Pineglen for the first time all season long believe it or not. Probably would have seen her earlier in the year if she wasn't laid-up. Also and get this one boatnerds, the salty Federal Hudson the last time I saw her was back in 2001! That is more than twelve years ago believe it or not but today we finally found her on the river. My message is plain and simple to all the boats out there "You can run but you can't hide forever as sooner or later I am gonna find you and catch ya!" With the Pineglen's sighting today that leaves only four left from CSL to see the Atlantic Huron, CSL Assiniboine, Mapleglen and the Salarium. May not see them though until 2014 which is okay as at least I will have left something to look forward to in 2014.

Well, did we get lucky on the river today as two ships finally came into port to see me for a change. Both the Oakglen along with the Algoma Mariner decided to pay me a visit along the St. Clair River today and I was very fortunate and lucky to see them both. Now all I have left to see is three from Algoma the Algoma Navigator, Algosteel and the John B. Aird. From CSL there is the Atlantic Huron, Baie Comeau, CSL Assiniboine, Mapleglen, Pineglen and Salarium. Still looking to see the H. Lee White along with the Defiance/Ashtabula and the Manitowoc as well before season's end. Hopefully I can find some of the above listed boats by Thanksgiving time. Gobble as the turkey would say but, I am hungry both boats right now and not for the bird. We will save that one for Thanksgiving dinner.

I am not giving up yet Bookworm and yes I do consider myself a boatnerd and also I have been trying to track the boats by AIS but, sometimes it doesn't always work. Don't forget you can't do much outside in weather like we have been having lately with rain and wind. If the boats are at anchor and not moving much, that makes it pretty rough for trying to see and photograph them. Also, it takes me an about an hour to drive out to the river one way. This weekend is the time change so next week I have to leave earlier with it getting darker early. Unfortunately next week, I can't stay past 4:30 p.m. as I have to be back home before it gets too dark. I am not used to driving in the dark and in bad weather conditions either. It would be nice if I could be out at the river every day but, that is never going to happen unfortunately for me. Besides there are always gonna be boats that us nerds never get to see on the water. Afterall if you see every boat out on the water sailing, "Won't that take the fun and enjoyment out of seeing and photographing them?" At least if you don't see a few this season, it gives you something to look forward to then for next season. That way it gets you anxious and motivated to want to get back out on the water for next season to see what you missed the previous season. At least that's how I look at.

I always thought having an interest in ships/boats/tugs, etc. is what "boatnerds" are all about. Doesn't that make you one, Denny? Living on or near the water may give some of us a better chance of seeing the boats, but that isn't always the case. Checking AIS to see where a specific boat is, and its destination, is about the best way I know to catch one you want to see, but it may take weeks of waiting for that to happen. Don't give up yet.

I don't feel bad Bruce it's just that everyone always gets to see the boats especially the boatnerds and I never see squat and I work hard at trying to get out and see them. Granted I don't live on or near the water like most folks thus, I don't get to see all of the passing traffic like most people do. It's just how can you tell me that in the case of the H. Lee White I go from seeing her four times in 2012 to zippo this year? What's up with that I say and also, last year I caught the American Century three times and this year only once. Yeah, I admit I saw the Century but less than last year. The one that amazes me is the Indiana Harbor. Since 2010 the last good year for the "Big Indy" I have been seeing her only once every year. Now, she has the new side cabin logos and I have yet to see her since she got them on.

Don't feel bad Denny when my boat came in I was at the airport*****

Bruce Lolmaugh 3long 2 short

Earlier in the year I had posted back in the Spring about seeing two salties that I have wanted to see for many seasons and I got to see and photograph them finally. Okay, that was then this is now and here are the ones U.S. and Canadians that have not yet come into port and seen me this year. I am hoping to see the following boats sometime this year hopefully by Thanksgiving time. Algoma Mariner, Algoma Navigator, Algosteel, John B. Aird along with the H. Lee White, Atlantic Huron, CSL Assiniboine and also the Oakglen, Pineglen, Defiance/Ashtabula and the Manitowoc. The Algoma Mariner I have not seen since 2011, Algoma Navigator I saw three times in 2012, Algosteel I saw twice in 2012 but I am trying to get closeups of her Algoma logos. John B. Aird I have not seen since 2010 believe it or not. With the exception of Oakglen all the other CSL boats I saw in 2012. Defiance I have never seen them yet and the Manitowoc I only saw once in 2013 but, she was unloading stone in Marysville. H. Lee White believe it or not I saw them four times in 2012 but, nothing so far this year in 2013! What boats are some of the boats that you haven't seen in 2013?