Ship Aground in St. Lawrence River

On Saturday, November 23, 2024, M/V Tim S. Dool ran aground on Crysler Shoal on the St. Lawrence River.

After initial efforts to pull the vessel off the shoal, a plan to lighten the ship by removing part of the cargo was put together. On December 12, crews began removing wheat from the ship in order to reduce its draft prior to removal.

On December 16, M/V Tim S. Dool was freed from the shoal. The ship transited to safe anchorage to in order to undertake an in-depth inspection and continuation of the incident investigation.

The completion of the Tim S. Dool’s refloat was the culmination of weeks of effort from the multiple local, state, federal, and international partner organizations making up the unified coordination group overseeing the operation. No pollution or injuries were reported during the incident.

U.S. Coast Guard units involved included Sector Eastern Great Lakes, Marine Safety Unit Thousand Islands and the District Nine Response Assist Team.

The U.S. Coast Guard worked closely with the Canadian Coast Guard, the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, Transport Canada, and Environmental and Climate Change Canada.

The grounding of the bulk carrier is one of many shipping incidents that occurred in the Great Lakes region during the 2024 navigation season.

M/V Tim S. Dool (IMO: 6800919) is a Canadian flagged 730 foot gearless bulk carrier owned by Algoma Central Corporation.

Said to be the oldest vessel in the Algoma fleet, the ship was built in 1967 (Hull 1084) by St. John Shipbuilding, Saint John, New Brunswick.

Numerous mishaps, accidents, and disasters have occurred along the St. Lawrence River.

M/V Juno aground under Thousand Islands Bridge | Credit: USCG

In April, 2015, the 621-foot bulk carrier M/V Juno went hard aground under the Thousand Islands Bridge after suffering a steering casualty.

M/V Federal Kivalina | Credit U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation

In May 2014, M/V Federal Kivalina, a 656-foot Hong Kong-flagged vessel lost power and became disabled near the Thousand Island Bridge.

 

M/V Orsula | Credit: USCG

In December, 2013, M/V Orsula, a 656-foot Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, went hard aground near Tibbetts Point. The Orsula sailed from Duluth, Minn., and was outbound along the St. Lawrence Seaway when the incident occurred.

NOAA Sea Grant Great Lakes Aquaculture Grants

Several projects to support aquaculture in the Great Lakes region were recently selected to receive NOAA Sea Grant fiscal year 2024 federal funding.

The projects will span coastal and Great Lakes states and territories with a focus on enhancing aquaculture species production, boosting aquaculture literacy and knowledge sharing, and strengthening aquaculture research and extension capacity.

Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative: Advancing aquaculture literacy

Principal Investigators: Amy Schrank, Donald Schreiner, Marie Thoms and Kieran Smith, Minnesota Sea Grant; Stuart Carlton, Kwamena Quagrainie and Amy Shambach, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant; John Brawley, Lake Champlain Sea Grant; Lauren Jescovitch and Elliot Nelson, Michigan Sea Grant; Stephanie Otts, National Sea Grant Law Center; Barry Udelson, New York Sea Grant; Nicole Wright, Ohio Sea Grant; Titus Seilheimer and Sharon Moen, Wisconsin Sea Grant

Grant Amount: $750,000

One of three regional projects, the multi-Sea Grant program will address aquaculture communications and literacy needs that will benefit the aquaculture community, seafood consumers and the general public.

This work will build on the successes of the Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative (GLAC). The team will expand their state-based advisory groups, maintain and enhance productivity as a collaborative, and use the GLAC website as a source for accessible and innovative information.

Outreach activities will aim to increase aquaculture literacy of consumers, youth audiences, regulators and legislators.

GLAC will also co-create a Great Lakes seafood brand that can be used to market all locally produced, farmed and wild-caught seafood.

An important theme throughout this project is that the aquaculture and commercial fishing industries are intertwined and that both are important to the Great Lakes food system.

Additionally, the proposal activities will intentionally focus on diversity, equity and inclusion and will include tribal organizations and schools that serve historically marginalized communities.

Aquaculture Supplemental Funding

Sea Grant will also provide Aquaculture Supplemental Funding for new and existing staff to support aquaculture-related activities in the Great Lakes region.

MICHIGAN SEA GRANT

Principal Investigators: Silvia Newell Grant Amount: $30,000

Michigan Sea Grant will support graduate student research to determine the susceptibility of invasive Asian Carp species to two emerging viral infections that are co-circulating in Michigan in connection to carp aquaculture, which will guide wildlife management agencies about the design of adequate containment strategies.

MINNESOTA SEA GRANT

Principal Investigators: Amy Schrank, Donald Schreiner  and Kieran Smith Grant Amount: $69,088

Minnesota Sea Grant will continue investigating a cost-effective diet for early stages of Yellow Perch and Golden Shiner, initiate a feasibility study for commercial aquaculture production of Golden Shiner and collaborate with Little Earth of United Tribes on outreach and youth workforce development for their aquaponics facility.

NEW YORK SEA GRANT

Principal Investigators: Michael Ciaramella and Barry Udelson Grant Amount: $239,896

New York Sea Grant will further support and provide guidance to the developing aquaculture industry in New York State by bringing together the diverse sectors in the Great Lakes (land-based finfish farms) and Long Island (shellfish and seaweed cultivation) regions and improving areas of need identified through industry assessment.

WISCONSIN SEA GRANT

Principal Investigators: Sharon Moen Grant Amount: $128,922

Wisconsin Sea Grant will sustain the reach and impacts of the Eat Wisconsin Fish initiative, revise the Consumer's Guide to Wisconsin's Farm-Raised Fish, and organize and facilitate an aquaculture workshop and listening session in Madison, WI.

Aquaculture includes the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of fish, shellfish, algae, and other aquatic organisms in natural and human constructed water environments.

Aquaculture operations in the Great Lakes region produce a variety of fish. Cultivated species are selected based on factors such as economic value, adaptability to local conditions, and market demand. 

Common fish species produced by aquaculture in the Great Lakes include:

Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

A popular species for both commercial and recreational purposes.

Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens)

A native species highly valued for its taste and texture.

Walleye (Sander vitreus)

Another native species popular in both commercial and recreational fisheries.

 Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis)

A species native to the Great Lakes, known for its mild flavor.

Birdwatching Along the Lake Erie Shoreline of Ohio

Wilson's Warbler | Credit: USFWS

Ohio's Lake Erie Shoreline offers some of the most spectacular birdwatching locations in the United States, where both novice and experienced birders can enjoy the sight of diverse bird species in their natural habitats.

The Lake Erie Birding Trail is a renowned destination for birdwatchers. This trail is a comprehensive network of birding sites that spans several counties along Ohio's Lake Erie coast.

The trail is divided into seven loops, each featuring a variety of habitats that attract different bird species throughout the year.

One of the trail's highlights is the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, a haven for migratory songbirds during the spring and fall. The marshes and open waters are packed with waterbirds, while coastal wetlands are breeding grounds for interesting marsh birds. The area is also known for its high concentration of breeding bald eagles, making it a must-visit spot for eagle enthusiasts.

Another option is the Metroparks system, which includes several parks along the Lake Erie shoreline. Starting from the eastern end of Lake County and working west, birdwatchers can explore Arcola Creek, Lakeshore Reservation, Lake Erie Bluffs, and other properties. Each park offers unique birding experiences and opportunities to spot different species.

For those looking to combine birdwatching with a bit of hiking, the Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve and Beach State Park provide trails where one can observe a range of habitats and the birds that inhabit them.

Oak Openings Preserve is another excellent location, known for its unique landscape and diverse bird population.

Birdwatching along Lake Erie is not only a popular pastime but also contributes to the local economy and conservation efforts. The socio-economic impacts of birdwatching are significant, as this activity attracts thousands of visitors each year, supporting local businesses and fostering a greater appreciation for wildlife conservation.

Whether planning a dedicated birdwatching trip or simply looking for a peaceful outdoor activity, the birdwatching locations along Lake Erie, Ohio, offer an unforgettable experience.

With nearly 400 species observed in these areas, every visit promises new discoveries and the joy of witnessing the majesty of birds in flight.

Changing Course

This project will be taking a new direction. While doing research on the Great Lakes, it became obvious that Blogger, while a useful tool, would not be able to provide the features needed for this project.

Additionally, Google and other search engines have placed heavy restrictions on the Blogger platform, making it less viable than in the past.

Our project moved to a dedicated website and has been titled according to its focus: Great Lakes North America.

Related Information

The Great Lakes Project