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| MV John J. Boland enters the Poe Lock from Lake Superior Nov. 28, 2024 | credit USACE |
The annual process of maintaining U.S.-flagged fleet of lake carriers on the Great Lakes began in mid-January after the navigational locks connecting Lake Superior to the lower lakes closed for repairs.
U.S. companies will invest more than $120 million into their vessels bringing skilled labor to shipyards and repair facilities around the Great Lakes states.
Wisconsin will lead investments with $55 million followed by Ohio with $39 million, Pennsylvania at $19 million, and $7 million in Michigan.
During winter maintenance, engineers carefully inspect each vessel and execute any needed repairs while also upgrading systems and crew quarters.
Major investments have been made to improve habitability onboard the vessels including wireless communications.
Some ships will be re-fitted with state-of-the-art electronics including navigational computers and propulsion control systems.
Hull plating will be replaced with steel made from iron ore that was shipped by the vessels to steel mills during the season.
This winter, milder than normal winter conditions across the Great Lakes region have allowed crews to work with less interruptions.
The Philip R. Clarke was the last ship through the Soo Locks for the 2023-2024 Great Lakes navigation season. Located in Sault Ste Marie, MI, the Soo Locks will reopen on Monday, March 25, 2024.
During a 10-week off season, lock workers conduct preventative maintenance, replace worn components and inspect the locks.
When a lock is dewatered, it sometimes becomes a dry dock for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers vessels allowing their hulls to be inspected and repaired.
sources: Lake Carriers’ Association, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District
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