sturgeon bay

[Guest]

Sturgeon Bay didn't have an opening for the Block until June, Hence the trip up to Fraser.QED!

[Mn bob]

The block couldn’t have needed that much steel work done, she was only in drydock at Fraser for about a week and she is now loading at cn docks in Duluth.

[Guest]

The explanation for using one shipyard over another might simply come down to cost. They probably got quotes from both shipyards for the work. If Fraser was less expensive (even after considering the costs to sail to Superior), that may have been the deciding factor.

Scheduling also plays a big role. They might even go with a more expensive shipyard if it means they can return to service more quickly. Getting back into service sooner means they can start earning revenue again.

[Guest_SB]

Yes, it's just speculation and there are, no doubt, many reasons playing into the decision to have a customer take their boat elsewhere for steelwork.

I had heard from friends on the inside, at Bay Ship, that the focus is towards the Navy work. As an outside observer, it is disappointing to me as I have more interest in watching the Lakes fleets than of a big building with shipbuilding going on inside it.

Business decisions are made, by both Bay Ship and CML, which are logical and have reasoning behind them.

Like I said, I've heard rumors, seen something unusual happen with one of my favorite boats, and find it disappointing. I hope it's not an omen as the fleet coming through Sturgeon Bay is a reason to be here!

[Guest]

The Paul R Tregurtha departed Bay Ship at dawn this morning (04/19/25).

The Joe Block going to Fraser to get steelwork done? Wow, that's a seriously disappointing performance from Bay Ship...seems the rumors of Navy focus over Lakes customers is true!

Or maybe the graving dock was not available? I know for sure there is a tug and barge in the dock for some major work. So I am guessing it's a time issue not a time to throw shade at the people of Bay Ship.

Exactly, without information on why the Block had to to Frasers for further work then we can do little but speculate. You brought up a good point about the availability of the graving dock at Sturgeon Bay. If the schedule was tight at Sturgeon Bay or there was a time factor involved in obtaining the steel for repairs then it is quite conceivable that it would have been better to send the Block to Frasers for the work. I don't know if I would go so far as to assert that this is evidence of Bay Ship shifting its focus toward Navy contracts over its lake vessel customers, although the Navy contracts are an important component to keep the yard viable in a time in which the lake fleet continues its slow shrinkage without replacement vessels. I would surmise that this unusual move by the Block had to do with scheduling, material supply, labor availability or a combination of all three, but that too is my own speculation.

[Guest]

The Paul R Tregurtha departed Bay Ship at dawn this morning (04/19/25).

The Joe Block going to Fraser to get steelwork done? Wow, that's a seriously disappointing performance from Bay Ship...seems the rumors of Navy focus over Lakes customers is true!

Or maybe the graving dock was not available? I know for sure there is a tug and barge in the dock for some major work. So I am guessing it's a time issue not a time to throw shade at the people of Bay Ship.

[Guest]

Bay Ship probably only has so many riggers and welders. (the country does have a shortage of welders nationwide)
They may have another job that was scheduled before the extra work on the Block was discovered.

[Guest]

The Joseph L. Block is shown in MarineTraffic as in the drydock at Fraser Shipyard.

[Guest_SB]

The Paul R Tregurtha departed Bay Ship at dawn this morning (04/19/25).

The Joe Block going to Fraser to get steelwork done? Wow, that's a seriously disappointing performance from Bay Ship...seems the rumors of Navy focus over Lakes customers is true!

[Guest]

Doesn’t appear that the Joe block is heading to Fraser shipyard in superior for steel work to be done as said in a previous post here, she is showing a destination of Duluth as of now.

It is heading to Fraser.

[Bookworm]

Duluth will be her official point of entry. From there we wait and see.

[Mn bob]

Doesn’t appear that the Joe block is heading to Fraser shipyard in superior for steel work to be done as said in a previous post here, she is showing a destination of Duluth as of now.

[Guest_SB]

The Wilfred Sykes departed this morning, destination Port Dolomite.

[Guest]

Bayship has been shifting focus to naval contracts, ontop of lack of skilled laborers at alot of the shipyards.

[Denny]

Bob, the Block was indeed at Sturgeon Bay and Drydocked for her 5-year CG inspection. She was repainted while in drydock as far as I know. Do not know more on the possibility of her needing more steel work done and possibly having to go up to Fraser at Superior. Hope that this helps. Stay & Be Well.

[Mn bob]

Why would they bring the block to Fraser shipyard in superior when it’s already at a shipyard that can do the work? Wasn’t the block in Drydock this winter at sturgeon bay? Why wouldn’t they have done the steel work to her then?

[Guest]

Take it with a grain of salt, but I’ve heard that the Joseph L. Block may need some steel work done before she can sail. It was something apparently identified during inspection. There is talk of bringing her to Fraser Shipyards in Superior to get this work done.

[Bob+]

Haven’t been in town much lately, the Sykes has steam up now and the covers are off the stacks. Last week the Miner was in ballast but today it appears it’s out ballast. The Tregurtha and Miner are rafted together out on berth 15 and the Block and Sykes are rafted on berth 10. The tug Albert and its barge Margaret are in the large graving dock.

[Denny]

In viewing the maps on the boatnerd AIS map, it appears that the Frontenac was removed from the Large Graving Dock in Sturgeon Bay on April 3 then. Can anyone confirm that this was the exact date that they were removed from the Large Graving Dock? I don't know what specific dock they went to once they were removed from the Large Graving Dock if it was Berth 15 and rafted to another vessel or where? Also, does anyone know or have any news or updates on just when the Mesabi Miner and the Paul R. Tregurtha both will be sailing and fitting out from BayShip at Sturgeon Bay? I have seen that the Paul R. Tregurtha however is expected at the MERC or SMET Coal Terminal to load on April 15 in the early morning hours and I would assume then that this must be their first trip then from lay-up for the 2025 season! One last question if I may regarding vessels that remain in lay-up then at BayShip in Sturgeon Bay. Does anyone know or have any information as far as if and when both the Joseph L. Block and the Wilfred Sykes will fit-out and sail this season? I thought that I read on here, that the Sykes was having some boiler work done on her this winter? I have not seen or heard anything yet on the Block and when they would sail in 2025? Anyone that has any information on any of this and can provide it, would be very much and greatly appreciated and Thanks.

[Denny]

Thanks Guest_SB as I knew you might be able to find out something on when that move took place and happened then. Will there be anymore that are scheduled to have their 5-year drydockings done there? I don’t think the Cort will since she was there in layup last year. Both the Miner and the Barker I don’t know if either of them are due up for their 5-year drydockings anytime soon then? The Sykes is another one I’m not sure of as far as when she would be up for her 5-year drydocking? Busy times for sure at Sturgeon Bay that’s for sure! Soon though the Winter fleet will be heading out for the 2025 season then. Enjoy seeing them in layup now while you can. Thanks again for the information and help. Very much appreciated.