MCP Boat Blog

USGS research vessel Sturgeon visits Ludington

August 8, 2026

This MCP Boat Blog is presented by Manistee Harbor Tours, operator of the Princess of Manistee, and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, www.masoncountymihistory.org. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The U.S. Geological Survey research vessel Sturgeon made a stop in Ludington on Friday after visiting Manistee the previous day. The 104-foot fisheries research vessel was docked behind the cruise ship American Patriot…

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Great Republic departs Manistee after coal delivery, heads to Port Inland

August 6, 2026

This MCP Boat Blog is presented by Manistee Harbor Tours, operator of the Princess of Manistee, and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, www.masoncountymihistory.org. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief MANISTEE — The MV Great Republic departed the Morton Salt terminal on Manistee Lake at about 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, after completing a coal delivery and is bound for Port Inland in northern Schoolcraft…

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Patience pays off in chase of Northern Venture

August 3, 2026

This MCP Boat Blog is presented by Manistee Harbor Tours, operator of the Princess of Manistee, and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, www.masoncountymihistory.org. Story and photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief MANISTEE — Chasing freighters is a bit like fishing. Sometimes everything comes together perfectly. Other times, the ship has other plans. The MV Northern Venture made her first visit of the 2026…

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Port of Ludington was busy Friday

July 24, 2026

This MCP Boat Blog is presented by Aquastar Cruises, aquastarcruises.com, and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, www.masoncountymihistory.org. Story and photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The Port of Ludington was a busy place Friday, offering boat watchers nearly continuous maritime activity from early morning through the evening as commercial vessels, dredging equipment and the SS Badger all moved through Pere…

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Busy week of commercial shipping underway at Port of Ludington

July 23, 2026

This MCP Boat Blog is presented by Manistee Harbor Tours, operator of the Princess of Manistee, and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, www.masoncountymihistory.org. Photos and story by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — Pere Marquette Lake is hosting an unusually busy week of commercial vessel traffic as three working vessels occupy the OxyChem terminal while a lake freighter is expected to arrive Friday…

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Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks