American Spirit Docks at Rebuilt Carbide Dock, First 1,000-Footer

The American Spirit made history Friday when she became the first 1,000-footer to dock at the recently rebuilt Carbide Dock in the Soo, marking a milestone for the freshly renovated facility. The big laker arrived under escort by the tug Colorado, running on her starboard engine only, and remained secured there through Saturday evening. The arrival signals confidence in the upgraded dock's readiness to handle the season's heaviest traffic as the navigation season gains momentum. Meanwhile, her fleetmate Burns Harbor is sidelined at BayShip in Sturgeon Bay for unspecified mechanical issues, a reminder that early spring brings both opportunity and challenge for the fleet. Elsewhere on the system, waters remain favorable for navigation. Lake Superior sits 1.16 feet above Low Water Datum, while Lake Erie—benefiting from robust spring runoff—stands 2.59 feet above datum. High pressure systems are tracking across the region through Monday, with only minor wave action expected across all five lakes. Disruption hit the St. Lawrence Seaway when the saltwater vessel BBC Tokyo struck Bridge 21 (the Clarence Street Bridge) at Port Colborne, Ontario, on Thursday around noon. The Welland Canal remains closed in both directions at that location pending structural assessment. Seaway crews are on site evaluating damage; no injuries or environmental impacts have been reported, but vessel traffic through that critical corridor will remain halted until the all-clear is given. Looking ahead, Isle Royale National Park officially opens for the 2026 season this week. The aging Ranger III ferry, built in 1958, continues its vital runs between Houghton and the island while the National Park Service pursues funding for a replacement vessel as part of a broader government fleet modernization proposal.