Lake Superior Northern Route

During the winter months, boats tend to take a different (Northern Route) across Lake Superior in order to avoid heavy ice buildup as they make their way. Today is no different.

Paul R Tregurtha arrived Duluth 12/27/2018 - Emergency go-around

Sometimes things do not go as routine as one would like, especially in the middle a winter storm. As the bridge was about to lift, a brief malfunction resulted in the 1000ft Paul R Tregurtha aborting the approach and circling around for successful entry. This video shows the professionalism by both the captain of the Tregurtha and the bridge operator at the time.
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Follow-up information provided by Dave Campbell the Bridge Supervisor --- "It’s interesting for a number of reasons, first the operator was Paul Thomas. This just happened to be the last lift of Paul’s career. At the end of the shift, Paul retired after 30 years operating the bridge. We thought it was fitting that Paul’s last lift was going to be for the Paul R. the Queen of the Lakes. Finally, he sounded so calm on the radio transmissions but not quite so calm when he called me on the phone because the bridge wouldn’t lift. We were able to go through a couple of checks and found that one of the crossing gates, though it looked like it was completely lowered,  had not come down completely and was holding the bridge from going up. A quick raise and lower of the gate and we were off and running again."

American Century departed Duluth 12/27/2018

American Century departed Duluth this evening loaded with coal.

Lake Superior Gale Warnings

With the posting of gale warnings, boats are heading for shelter from the winds


...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM EST /2 AM CST/ TO 11 AM EST
/10 AM CST/ FRIDAY...

The National Weather Service in Marquette has issued a Gale
Warning...which is in effect from 3 AM EST /2 AM CST/ to 11 AM
EST /10 AM CST/ Friday.

* WIND AND WAVES DURING THE GALE WARNING...

Expect sustained winds of up to 30 knots from the north, with gusts up to 38
  knots. The largest expected significant waves will be 11 feet
  with a maximum wave height of up to 16 feet possible.

* TIMING...The maximum winds are expected around 5 AM EST Friday
  with the largest waves expected around 8 AM EST Friday.

Please see the latest marine forecasts for more detailed
information.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Gale Warning means winds of 34 to 47 knots are imminent or occurring. 

Operating a vessel in gale conditions requires
experience and properly equipped vessels.

 It is highly recommended that mariners without the proper experience seek safe
harbor prior to the onset of gale conditions.

James R Barker departed Duluth 12/27/2018

James R Barker departed Duluth early this morning in heavy snow.