Part 2, Day 21: Rules of the Road

This day shape, ball-diamond-ball (or lights red over white over red) is on a barge and signifies that this vessel, based on the nature of her work, is restricted in her ability to maneuver and has the right of way over nearly every other vessel. 

Part 2, Day 20: Customs

This is what happens when you discharge cargo in Canada. We were welcomed back to the US with 4 heavily armed customs officers and they only arrested one guy!

Part 2, Day 19: The Blade Goes On

Here is the propeller blade actually being replaced. It only took 6 guys, a crane, and 2 little barges to make it happen. Also, check out the size of that rudder. 

Part 2, Day 18: Blade Repair

Today we are preparing to replace one of the blades on the propeller after some ice damage this spring. This blade (1 of 4) weighs over 4,500 pounds and is almost 7 feet tall. 

Part 2, Day 17: Happy Memorial Day!

From the M/V Sam Laud

Part 2, Day 16: Sunrise Sunday

Early part of the sunrise over the scenic Cuyahoga river. And by scenic, I mean quite dirty and maybe even a bit toxic. 

Part 2, Day 15: Lighthouse

Heading into Cleveland and going by the West Outer Breakwater Light. 

Part 2, Day 14: Mail time!

The mailman even comes to boat! Mail delivery in Detroit via the JW Westcott mail boat:

Part 2, Day 13: Holiday!

Happy National Maritime Day!

Part 2, Day 12: Loose Lips

This quote was posted on the unloading boom controls today, but originated on propaganda posters during WWII. 

Part 2, Day 11: Salty's on the Hook

All of these salt water vessels (13 at time of photo) are anchored and waiting for pilots to take them through the river system after a slow start to the spring shipping season caused a shortage of pilots. 

Part 2, Day 10: Training Ship

Met my school's training ship, the State of Michigan, while transiting the St. Clair river today. It's nice to be on a "real" boat for the summer, but fun to see the "student drivers."

Part 2, Day 9: Sunrise Sunday

One benefit to working the 4-8am shift is watching the sunrise every morning. Here is one last ice water photo for the year, taken sailing west on Lake Superior near the  Keweenaw Peninsula. 

Part 2, Day 8: Happy Birthday, Joseph

I wish I could be there to join the festivities today to celebrate my nephew's third birthday. Happy birthday, Joseph!!

Part 2, Day 7: Radar Time

Day 7: When a "warm" moist layer of air moves over the cold water and a dense fog limits visibility to 300 feet, this is how you navigate a river. 

Part 2, Day 6: Summer?

It was a perfectly clear night for a load in Silver Bay. Welcome to summer in northern Minnesota!

Part2, Day 5: Ice?

Yep, it's the middle of May and there is still ice in Lake Superior. It definitely makes for a interesting ride!

Part 2, Day 4: Some things never get old

There is something about finishing two long days of work and then walking out my back door to this. I'm not sure this will ever get old. #nofilter #unsaltedsailing

Part 2, Day 3: Wrapping up a semester of driving

This isn't actually boat related, but I was just finishing paperwork from my last bus trip of the year and ran across my trip computer. My part time job this semester had me in 2 countries, 14 states, and covering 10,785 miles!

Part 2, Day 2: Happy Mother's Day!!

Happy Mother's Day to my beautiful and amazing mom who has always given so much of herself to me and consistently showered me with love and support. I love you, mom!

Part 2, Day 1: On the Boat Again

After many changes of plans over the past few months, it was finally decided that I would be sailing on the Great Lakes aboard a commercial vessel to earn more sea time so I am able to write my Coast Guard license at the end of the year. 

I am back on a boat that I spent 12 days on last summer, the M/V Sam Laud. Follow along here with a daily photo update and you can keep track of the vessel movements at ais.boatnerd.com or at marinetraffic.com

Happy summer!