Finish Line
From Linky Sailing News
Water Level Update
Note: Lake Michigan-Huron is the greatest below average,
with current levels being 19 inches below average.
Difference from Chart Datum -5
Difference from last month -3
Difference from last year -5
Difference from long term average for December -19
Difference from Record High -54
Difference from Record Low +11
Forecast for 27 January 2002 -2
Note: Lake Michigan-Huron is the greatest below average,
with a current level of 19 inches below average.
For information on other lakes see:
http://huron.lre.usace.army.mil/levels/weekly.html
Rowing Reporter
The Rowing Reporter is a weekly column of
commentary and
observations by Ike Stephenson, Marine Informationist. It
concentrates on the home waters of Around the World of
Sailing, Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake.
*************
Once Again a 3 Ferry Lake
Lake Michigan- Back in the 1960's and 1970's Lake Michigan
had 3 major ferry lines that carried passengers, cars and
rail cars across it. In Frankfort the Ann Arbor railroad
crossed to Kewaunee and continued onto Menoninee on the Bay
of Green Bay. In Ludington the Pere Marquette which in 1947
became the C&C crossed to Manitowoc. In Muskegon the Grand
Trunk and Western boats ran to Milwaukee.
After awhile all of these services were discontinued. Then
in 1992 the SS Badger resumed service and cross lake ferry
service began anew.
Interestingly, examples of boats from all 3 lines still
exist. The SS Badger was a C&C boat, the Milwaukee Clipper
in Muskegon ran for Grand Trunk and the SS City of
Milwaukee in Manistee was an Ann Arbor boat.
Ann Arbor Car Ferry Schedule Displayed on
the City of Milwaukee
Recent reports indicate that Lake Michigan could once again
see 3 ferry options for crossing the lake. In addition to
Ludington, Muskegon/Milwaukee and St. Josephs/Chicago may
soon have ferry service.
Ever since ferry service ended for Muskegon in the 1970's
there have been various dreams and plans to get it going
again. This included a failed bond vote in Muskegon in 1987.
Lake Express of Wisconsin says it only needs a federal loan
guarantee to begin construction of a ship. The most recent
plan is to begin service in the Spring of 2004. Service
would be via a high speed catamaran ferry, crossing the lake
in 2.5 hours. The ship would be built by Austral USA.
Muskegon is attempting to come together on a plan that would
see the ferry dock at the Mart Dock in downtown Muskegon.
This is where the Milwaukee Clipper docked. In fact on the
Muskegon harbor chart the location of the ferry ticket
office is still shown!
The US Maritime Administration's Title XI program approved
loan guarantees for a total of 4 passenger catamarans in
2001.
The third potential ferry route is Benton Harbor MI and
Chicago/Waukegan IL. They are looking to put a 150-foot
catamaran ferry in service by summer 2003.
The plan is for the ferry to sail a route from Consumers
Asphalt Dock in Benton Harbor making 3 round trips to
Chicago and Waukegan IL. In Chicago the ship would dock at
Navy Pier.
A recent holiday visit drive had me contemplating ferry
service. For there is no way to get from Muskegon to my
parents' home in Michigan's UP. Lake Michigan turns a crow
flying distance of less than 150 miles to over 400!
In the summer the Badger can shorten this distance.
It would be a keen development to give people the chance to
shorter their drives via 3 options.
However, I am not aware of any plans that would see the
ferries operate year round as they once did. This would be
an especially nice option in the winter months when driving
can be less than ideally safe.
Ferry Links:
SS Badger:
http://www.ssbadger.com/
Milwaukee Clipper
http://www.milwaukeeclipper.com
SS City of Milwaukee
http://www.carferry.com/
***********
Safety Protest
Australia- The start of the Sydney Hobart saw 2 collisions
of a serious nature. Eventually these situations went
before the International Jury.
In one case Valheru and Puegot Racing collided. A crew
member from Valheru was knocked overboard. Puegot Racing
deployed her life sling, lowered her headsail and started
the engine.
Eventually a RIB rescued the sailor. The
International Jury took a dim view of Puegot Racing's
actions. They were disqualified on the basis of Rule 1.1
which reads "A boat or competitor shall give all possible
help to any person or vessel in danger." Further they cited
rule 44.1, "However, if she caused serious damage or gained
a significant advantage in the race or series by her breach
she shall retire."
Considering some of the strange decisions juries have made
in the Volvo Ocean Race and the America's cup this seems
like some old time justice for sailors.
You should always go to the rescue, regardless of it is a
start of a major race with spectator boats and sometimes you
must bite the bullet, show class and retire because of your
actions. I have no problem with either of those.
*********
Water Temperature
Lake Michigan and the South Pacific Ocean
In a recent dispatch Jean Luc Van Den Hede who is attempting
to break the record for sailing solo around the world west
about referenced a water temperature of 9.6°C/48.2°F. Cold,
probably fatally so if you were to touch it.
However, it's the Southern Hemisphere summer. Near Muskegon
Lake Michigan showed temperatures of 36.8° to 40°. Maybe
Lake Michigan can become a training base for those venturing
to the Southern Ocean.
BTW, latest report showed VDH 15.5 days ahead of record pace!-
and heading for warmer climes.
Despite cooler than Souther Ocean water temps, Open water
on Muskegon Lake
