MCP Boat Blog

Calumet arrives in Ludington during busy evening on the lake

August 28, 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 — The arrival of the 630-foot MV Calumet created a busy maritime scene Thursday evening as the freighter, the SS Badger and dozens of salmon-fishing boats converged near the Ludington harbor…

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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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