THUNDER BAY — The 2022 shipping season started a little later than expected, but the honour of opening navigation in Thunder Bay goes to the Michipicoten.
The self-unloading bulk carrier, owned and operated by Lower Lakes Towing, docked at the Superior elevator on the Mission River at 4:30 Wednesday morning.
It was followed into port just a half hour later by Algoma Central Corporation's Captain Henry Jackman.
The Michipicoten is the namesake of the river that flows into Lake Superior near Wawa.
Its crew is led by Captain Adam Barnes and Chief Engineer Ralph Reeves.
The ship is picking up a load of oats and was expected to depart overnight for Toledo, Ohio.
The two boats' voyages across Lake Superior were held up by gale-force wind that kept a number of vessels waiting in Whitefish Bay on the weekend.
"In an inland port city, the first ship into port brings with it a feeling of spring and revitalization after a cold winter," said Port of Thunder Bay CEO Tim Heney.
Due to weather and other factors, port officials decided not to hold the traditional Top Hat ceremony.
Thunder Bay Port Authority harbourmaster Guy Jarvis said about half a dozen more boats are expected to arrive in the next few days.
