Author: Rob Alway

Candice Elise/Robert F. Deegan visit Ludington

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Monday, July 7, 2025 LUDINGTON, Mich. — The tug/barge Candice Elise/Robert F. Deegan arrived at Ludington Harbor Monday, moments before the evening departure of the SS Badger. The tug/barge combo was heading to the Occidental Chemical…

Calumet’s Manistee National Forest Festival visit

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Thursday, July 3, 2025 MANISTEE, Mich. — The MV Calumet returned to Manistee just in time for the Manistee National Forest Festival, which includes Independence Day celebrations. The ship arrived Thursday afternoon drawing the attention of…

Cruising on Manistee’s Princess tour boat

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief June 29, 2025 MANISTEE — “It’s like being on vacation,” is the comment my wife, Becky, said when we departed the Princess after a 90 minute shoreline cruise Saturday evening. The boat’s crew was hospitable and…

Leonard put in charge of Lake Michigan Carferry

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON, Mich. — Long-time car ferry/shipping veteran Chuck Leonard has been put in charge of all Interlake Maritime Services in Ludington, which include Lake Michigan Carferry, operator of the SS Badger. Leonard,…

MV Manitowoc is frequent Manistee visitor

Photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief June 25, 2025 By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief MANISTEE, Mich. — To date this season, I have photographed the MV Manitowoc more than any other freighter. The obvious reason for this is that the Manitowoc seems…

Welcome to Great Lakes Boat Blog. 

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief The intention of this site is to honor the deep maritime traditions of the Great Lakes by telling stories of vessels, crews, and entities, both past and present. I own and operate online news services Mason…

Cruising Muskegon’s legendary Aquastar

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Friday, June 20, 2025 MUSKEGON, Mich. — My focus the last few days has been centered around the Aquastar, a vessel that’s quite a bit smaller than many of my previous featured boats. Its size, though,…