Sturgeon Bay Activity

[Door County Gerry]

The Green Bay Press Gazette published the following updated list from Bayship:

The Winter Fleet departure schedule for 2017-2018

Paul R. Tregurtha, 1013 X 105 feet, departs 5/18/18
Stewart J. Cort, 1000 X 105 feet, departs 3/24/18
Mesabi Miner, 1000 X 105 feet, departs 3/24/18
Joseph Block, 728 X 78 feet, departs 3/24/18
Wilfred Sykes, 678 X 70 feet, departs 4/22/18
Roger Blough, 858 X 105 feet, departs 3/23/18
John G. Munson, 768 X 72 feet, departs 3/26/18
Cason J. Callaway, 767 X 70 feet, departs 3/23/18
American Courage, 636 X 68 feet, no date
Cleveland Rocks Barge departs 11/12/18
Tug Invincible, 100 X 35 feet, no date
Robert Pierson, 630 X 68 feet departs 4/03/18
Tug Victory, 140 X 43 feet, departs 4/03/18
Barge James L. Kuber, 704 X 70 feet departs 4/03/18
Evening Star departs 4/19/18
Bright Star departs 4/12/18
Star of Chicago departs 5/14/18

[Bob+]

Today, I observed smoke coming from the Callaway's stack and over the weekend I observed smoke coming from the Munson's stack and also the Miner. When I worked at Bay Ship back in the 70' and 80's, I was told by the crew members it was bad luck to start a new season by leaving on a Friday and a lot of the boats left at 0001hrs on Saturday morning. I was also told it was also bad luck to launch a boat on a Friday also. So much for the old traditions.

[Denny]

Well in looking at the fit out list and of course all dates are subject to change, if all holds to plan and course then you should have at least four pulling out on the 23rd the Block, Blough, Munson and Callaway might all leave that day. Maybe with some luck my prediction of the Blough as the first ship at the Soo and first unbounder may come true. They were also the first ship at the Soo for 2016. One thing is for certain and that is if anything leaves the yard on the 23rd and Cort is due to leave on the 24th then Cort probably wouldn’t be the first one to open up the Soo for 2018. Not sure of the four that are due to leave on the 23rd which has the most horsepower and the fastest but I’m thinking the Blough is the faster of those four that I had mentioned. At any rate the time now is getting closer. Ladies and Gentleman start your engines and let’s roll! Now if only Mother Nature would wake up from her long Winter nap and Spring Forward like the rest of us and start thinking about Spring here!

[Door County Gerry]

I should have said what the link in my preceding post was about. It is today's layup departure list from Bayship. One big change from the first edition is that the Cort and the Miner are now scheduled to depart on the 24th instead of the 23rd.

[Door County Gerry]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/DoorCou ... 876216185/

[Guest]

I am 1 1/2 hours away, not 15.

[Door County Gerry]

Sorry I didn't respond, Denny--I should have logged on (I was Guest). But you have the link now. For up-to-the minute departure info, there are both bridgetender and tug contacts in the Door County FB groups, I think. I'm counting on them as the 23rd approaches--I am just 15 hours away from SB.

[Denny]

Thanks a million Pat as that link will work for me and I appreciate that. Can’t wait until Spring and to see our favorites back out on the water!

[Pat]

http://www.dcmm.org/winterfleet/
Denny, here’s a link.

[Denny]

Thanks for that update Guest very much appreciated. Can you please provide a link though to where you find that at as I can’t seem to find or locate the link or the website. Thanks in advance for any information.

[Guest]

Bayship's own schedule lists March 23 as the departure date for the following: Cort, Miner, Block, Blough, Munson, Callaway. Sykes April 22, Tregurtha May 18. Any earlier than March 23 would be atypical, though not unheard of.

[Bob+]

Possible 5 boat breakout from Bay Ship between March 20th and the 23rd according to a tug boat crew member. It sounds like some of the boats will go out to the mouth of Sturgeon Bay, turn around and then head out toward Lake Michigan.

[Bob+]

The stern of the Blough is also wrapped up too.

[Bob+]

Yes it is the Miner under all the plastic.

[LakeWatcher]

Is the boat thats all wrapped up the Miner? I know she’s there, but I haven’t physically seen her my last few drives past Bay Ship. They do a great job of hiding a 1000’ boat....

[Bob+]

The Pierson and the tug Victory are now in the large graving dock.

[Bob+]

The Cort is being floated out of the graving dock this afternoon and probably will be rafted outboard of its fleet mates along berth 15.