Lake Superior Marine Museum Association
Cornelia Departure
The Cornelia sails for the Atlantic on Friday, December 18. It had been held in Duluth since early November.
After six weeks in Duluth, Cornelia finally departs for the Atlantic
Held in Duluth since early November, the oceangoing Cornelia left the Twin Ports this morning – and just in time. Had it stayed much longer, the vessel likely would have been stuck on the Great Lakes for the winter. The Welland Canal between lakes Erie and Ontario closes on December 26.
The Cornelia, still under investigation for the alleged discharge of oily water, negotiated an agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard to sail on while the probe continues.
The agreement will “protect the U.S. government’s interests in investigating allegations of environmental crimes,” the Coast Guard said in a news release.
Ken Newhams of Duluth Shipping News snapped a few photos of the Cornelia’s departure.
On Wednesday, the saltie returned to the harbor to refuel and resupply, its first movement in weeks. (One gag on social media was that the ship had been overrun by zombies. No doubt it was no laughing matter to the crew members, who hadn’t left the ship since the start of the investigation six weeks ago.) The Twin Ports Ministry to Seafarers stopped by with requested supplies and WiFi hotspots so the foreign crew, from as far away as the Philippines, could send messages to family and friends. According to the Duluth News Tribune, they were in good spirits, but anxious to be on their way.
Toward a Lake Superior National Marine Sanctuary
In the Bayfield County Journal, Hope McLeod writes about the National Marine Sanctuary designation being considered for the Apostle Islands area, a first for Lake Superior’s U.S. shores. A group of locals met twice this week to discuss the possibility with representatives from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:
NMS are protected areas of the marine environment that hold deep significance for a community. These include recreational, ecological, historical, cultural, archaeological or aesthetic qualities of national significance. There are four components to a designation: protection, conservation, education and research. To become a NMS requires a two-step process: first a nomination submitted to NOAA. If NOAA accepts the nomination it may be followed by the designation process, which in total could take a few years.
Learn more on the group’s website and Facebook page.
Two Upper Peninsula parks seek feedback: Share your thoughts about Tahquamenon Falls and Muskallonge Lake state parks with the Michigan DNR. The surveys close on January 4.
MERC handles 500 millionth ton of coal: The Midwest Energy Resources Company in Superior has been in business since 1976. The MERC terminal also loaded its 10,000th vessel earlier this year.
Duluth Mayor Don Ness gives final address: After eight years in office, the popular mayor did not seek re-election. Local musicians gave Don a send-off between messages from Minnesota senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken; mayor-elect Emily Larson; Laura Ness, his wife; and others. WDIO has video.
Fishing agreement temporarily renewed: “Two northern Wisconsin tribes and the state are extending their current Lake Superior fishing agreement for the time being. A 10-year agreement expired last month,” reports Danielle Kaeding for Wisconsin Public Radio.
Alpena damaged by fire: A frequent visitor to Lake Superior, the 519-foot freighter caught fire at a shipyard in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Two Bay Ship employees and two firefighters were sent to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The cause of the fire is not yet known, reports Samantha Hernandez from the Door County Advocate.
Video: Red Bull TV came to our shores recently for windsurfing on Lake Superior, 20 miles north of Marquette.