Great Lakes Boat Blog

A new season with Mason County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol

May 19, 2026

This Great Lakes Boat Blog is presented by Manistee Harbor Tours, operator of the Princess of Manistee. Book your cruise at www.manisteeharbortours.com. By Mark Varenhorst, MCP Contributor  Friday, May 15, 2026, saw me boarding the Mason County Sheriff’s Office 25-foot boat at the Loomis Street boat launch. Deputy Mike Fort, officer in charge of the unit, and Deputy Mason Marrison were…

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Busy day at port, Prime returns

May 17, 2026

This Great Lakes Boat Blog is presented by Manistee Harbor Tours, operator of the Princess of Manistee. Book your cruise at www.manisteeharbortours.com. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The MV Prime returned to the Port of Ludington Sunday evening, docking at the Oxy Ludington plant dock to pick up another load of calcium chloride. The Prime was escorted into port by…

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Candice Elise/Robert F. Deegan waiting in line at Oxy

May 17, 2026

This Great Lakes Boat Blog is presented by Manistee Harbor Tours, operator of the Princess of Manistee. Book your cruise at www.manisteeharbortours.com. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The tug/barge Candice Elise/Robert F. Deegan arrived at Ludington harbor Sunday morning, heading to the Oxy Ludington plant on Pere Marquette Lake. The pair docked on the west slip of the property, likely…

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Freighter Manitowoc arrives in Ludington

May 16, 2026

This Great Lakes Boat Blog is presented by Manistee Harbor Tours, operator of the Princess of Manistee. Book your cruise at www.manisteeharbortours.com. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The MV Manitowoc arrived at the Port of Ludington about 9:45 a.m. Saturday, en route to the Rieth-Riley Construction dock on Pere Marquette Lake, where it is delivering road aggregate. This is Manitowoc’s…

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Historic Corps tugs Racine, Kenosha in Manistee for harbor project

May 15, 2026

This Great Lakes Boat Blog is presented by Manistee Harbor Tours, operator of the Princess of Manistee. Book your cruise at www.manisteeharbortours.com. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief MANISTEE — The arrival of two of the oldest working government tugs on the Great Lakes has added an unusual maritime attraction to Manistee this spring. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers tugs Racine and…

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