52nd Annual Blessing of the Fleet at Mariners' Church of Detroit - March 2016

Capt. Jim Leaney receiving Lewis Ludington Award.

James Leaney was born in Owen Sound, Ontario.  He began his sailing career in 1987 working for the Upper Lakes Shipping Company. 
His first command as captain was for Canada Steamship Lines on the steamer Baie St. Paul.  For 15 years, Captain Leaney was an instructor
at the Marine Emergency Duties Center in Port Colborne, Ontario and assisted in the upgrade of ship handling simulators at Memorial University
in Newfoundland.  His longest command as captain was aboard the CSL Niagara for seven years.  In 2013, while captain aboard the new
M/V Baie St. Paul, he retired from CSL.  Captain Leaney was called out of retirement by Algoma Central Marine to be relief captain aboard the
Algoma Transport and Algoma Olympic.  Presently, he works part-time for Algoma Central Corporation. 

Captain Leaney has been a member of International Shipmasters' Association since 1982, when he became a charter member of Niagara
District Lodge No. 20.   He later transferred to Port Huron Lodge No. 2.   In 1990, Captain Leaney was elected Grand Lodge President. 

He resides in Port Huron and winters in Dade City, Florida with his wife Linda.