Boatnerd Discussion Forum

I read somewhere else that Sturgeon Bay royally dropped the ball with not having pretty much any ships ready when the locks opened in 2025. We wondered if it was just due to the general slowdown in shipping capacity needed but from a guy at one of the companies said it was really Bay Ship. Might turn into a long term trend if companies were so mad about Bay Ship's ability to have ships ready in time that they'll just port elsewhere unless they have to come in for major work and needing their drydock. Not good for that local economy.

The Cort typically winters in Milwaukee going back many years, usually only wintering in Sturgeon Bay when she’s due for drydocking, although last winter was a rare exception but I believe last winter she had been set to winter in Milwaukee and switched last minute for some reason. The Albert/Margaret were only at Bayship last winter as the barge was having a bow thruster installed. The only real “defectors” are the Sykes and Block which have been at Bayship just about every winter for the last 20 years or more. I do believe Bayship has fallen out of favor with some fleets and you won’t see many layups there besides the ones that need the drydock.

Interesting that 4 of the 9 Sturgeon Bay visitors from last year are all showing Milwaukee for this year instead. Joseph Block, Wilfred Sykes, Albert/Margaret, and the Stewart Cort. A bit concerning on the jobs front for Sturgeon Bay given the uncertainty for Fincantieri with the recent Navy ship cancellations out of Marinette that Bay Ship supports.

Sounds like this is the last trip for the James r barker as they will be heading to sturgeon bay for a 5 year inspection and steel work and paint job.

The great republic is heading to Toledo after they unloaded at Indiana harbor so I assume they are laying up and also the John g Munson is headed to superior but not sure if they are heading to layup or for another load.

Additionally I have heard the Victory/Maumee will be the boat to lay up at General Mills in Buffalo with grain this winter.

The Robert S. Pierson arrived in Sarnia on December 30 in the early morning hours and went to the North Slip - North End I would assume for Lay Up then? If she is there for lay up, it is the same area and spot she was in during the Winter of 2024/25 as she laid up in Sarnia then alongside of her LLT fleetmate the Saginaw. If the Pierson is in Sarnia now for lay up this Winter, then she would also be Sarnia’s first arrival for Winter Lay Up so far this Winter with more yer to cme.

Denny wrote: December 28, 2025, 11:06 am Surprised to see both the Block & Sykes going to Milwaukee for lay up this Winter instead of Sturgeon Bay where they normally go for Winter Lay Up!
Could and would this be a first then for both wintering in Milwaukee if that is where they end up at? I don’t ever recall them being in Milwaukee before for Winter Lay Up!

I believe it is not the first time. They will be laying up where the Donner was

Surprised to see both the Block & Sykes going to Milwaukee for lay up this Winter instead of Sturgeon Bay where they normally go for Winter Lay Up!
Could and would this be a first then for both wintering in Milwaukee if that is where they end up at? I don’t ever recall them being in Milwaukee before for Winter Lay Up!

Here are a few I am aware of:

Manitowoc: Ashtabula
Kaministiqua: Erie
Joseph L. Block: Milwaukee
Wilfred Sykes: Milwaukee

Also the cement carrier Tamarack appears to have laid up in Toronto yesterday.

GreatLaker wrote: December 22, 2025, 10:13 pm Boatnerd has a comprehensive lay-up list here: https://boatnerd.com/winter-lay-up-list-2025-2026/

Yes, I know all about that sight. I just thot general news, scuttlebutt and other details and queries could be shared by all in this format.

Boatnerd has a comprehensive lay-up list here: https://boatnerd.com/winter-lay-up-list-2025-2026/

Just thot I'd put this blog together so we can all see where so-and-so is laying up and let everyone know what the latest scuttlebutt might be. Last I heard (22 Dec), ATLANTIC HURON is downbound on Lake Superior with a load of ore pellets for Quebec City. Then, she's apparently going to the boneyard. Any more news?