RECENT NEWS

05-23-13:  The US Coast Guard has issued a Safety Alert advising the SEACHOICE Products LED Navigation Light SCP #03201, being marketed as a “masthead” or “navigation” light does not meet federal visibility requirements. Owners or operators who may have installed this light on their vessel as a navigation light should remove it and replace it with a proper light.  (Courtesy of Bryant's Maritime Consulting).

05-22-13:  Presidential Proclamation - National Maritime Day 2013

05-09-13:  C&G News: U.S. Navy Cuts Funding to Regional Sea Cadet Program 

05-07-13:  Shippers, critics spar in Michigan Senate over ballast water bill 

04-25-13:  Obituary: Lodge Sentinel Bernard M. "Bernie" Ogden - ISMA Pennant No. A-11271 

04-14-13:  Michigan Sea Cadets send SOS in wake of federal budget cuts 
Note: At this time of federal budget cuts, the Sea Cadet program is reaching out to the public for financial assistance.  To make a tax deductible contribution, visit www.nobleodyssey.org   

04-09-13: At its meeting today, the Board of Governors of Detroit Lodge No. 7 approved donations to the Noble Odyssey Foundation and Dossin Great Lakes Museum.  These donations are in addition to last month's donation to the Lost Mariners Remembrance event, scheduled for November 10, 2013 at Dossin Museum. 

The board also reiterated its support of Senate Bill 0266 and House Bill 4489, which have been introduced in the Michigan Legislature. Both bills would bring Michigan's ballast water regulations in-line with laws of neighboring states and provinces.  The lodge intends to contact various senators & representatives in support of this legislation.          Sample letter to Senator             Sample letter to Representative

04-09-13: Dossin Great Lakes Museum Grand Re-Opening Gala - Friday, May 17, 6:00pm to 11:00pm
Celebrate the Grand Re-Opening of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum with a fabulous evening of Great Lakes-inspired cocktails, cuisine and entertainment!   The museum will reopen to the general public on Saturday, May 18th at noon.  Hours will be noon-6 p.m. on Saturday and 11-6 p.m. on Sunday. The museum will be closed for Grand Prix Races and Music Festival on the weekends of June 1-2 and June 8-9.

04-05-13: A recent Detroit News article details how Mariners’ Church of Detroit helped sailors and guided escaped slaves to freedom.  Lodge member Fr. Rich Ingalls, Jr. is quoted in the article along with Fr. Jesse Roby. 

04-05-13:  Joseph Cabadas of the Detroit Athletic Club (DAC) wrote a Feature article on  Mariners’ Church of Detroit.  The article summarizes Mariners’ history along with member connections to the DAC, including Ivan Ludington, who for many years presented the Captain Lewis Ludington Award at Mariners’ Blessing of the Fleet services.

04-04-13: EPA Finalizes New Vessel General Permit to Protect U.S. Waters from Invasive Species

04-02-13: March-April Grand Lodge Newsletter

03-31-13: Help Save the SS United States.  Join the global effort! Visit an interactive website to explore the SS United States, learn her history and select a piece of America's Flagship to call your own.

03-29-13:  The US Coast Guard proposes to establish a permanent security zone on that portion of the Detroit River adjacent to Cobo Hall in downtown Detroit. The security zone would be activated for enforcement during the annual North American International Auto Show. This proposal would replace the prior practice of establishing temporary security zones each year. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by 29 April.   (Brought to our attention by Bryant's Maritime Consulting).

03-28-13:  State Senator advocates easing Michigan's Ballast Water Restrictions

03-22-13:  USCG Safety Alert regarding counterfeit B-II portable fire extinguishers.

03-22-13:  USCG Safety Alert regarding bow riding in heavy weather.  

03-18-13:  Video from Grand Lodge Convention has been posted on the Grand Lodge Website.

03-18-13:  Twin Ports Lodge No. 12 announces boat trip raffle.

03-18-13:  Photos from the 2013 Blessing of the Fleet have been added to the photo page.

03-16-13:  Lodge Newsletter

03-03-13: Newspaper article mentions ISMA, Capt. Seann O'Donoughue, and the pending closure of Thunder Bay Coast Guard Radio.  

02-19-13: Lodge Schedule Update and Announcements

02-16-13:  The Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued a news release stating that overall US maritime cargo volumes on the Great Lakes are recovering from the extreme lows experienced in 2009. The report  Status of the US-Flag Great Lakes Water Transportation Industry finds that the US Great Lakes maritime industry is generally healthy and providing efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly transportation services.   (Brought to our attention by Bryant's Maritime Consulting).

02-14-13:  Important Announcement regarding the Grand Lodge Newsletter moving to electronic format.  Members are urged to have a valid e-mail address on file with their local lodge secretary.  E-Mail updates and corrections can be sent to detroitlodge7@aol.com. 

02-12-13: Study says Great Lakes Shipping is the most carbon friendly, efficient mode of transportation

02-09-13:  Meeting in Traverse City for its annual convention, the ISMA Grand Lodge goes on record as supporting S. 218 in the U.S. Senate, and its companion bill in the U.S. House, H.R. 335.  Both bills would require that funds in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund actually be used for harbor maintenance. 

02-08-13:  Meeting in Traverse City for its annual convention, the ISMA Grand Lodge goes on record as opposing the proposed closure of Thunder Bay Coast Guard Radio.  To join the opposition of this closure, Click Here

02-06-13: January-February Grand Lodge Newsletter

02-05-13:  Invitation to annual dinner dance of Port Huron Lodge No. 2 - Saturday, March 2, 2013.

02-01-13:  The U.S. Coast Guard has posted an 85-page compilation of safety alerts, safety advisories, and lessons learned from 2008-2012.   (Brought to our attention by Bryant's Maritime Consulting).

01-31-13:  Online Registration now open for Chicago Maritime Industry Day - March 7, 2013

01-29-13:  The program book for the 2013 Grand Lodge Convention is now available online. 

01-23-13:  The U.S. Coast Guard has set the minimum random drug testing rate for covered crewmembers at 25% for 2013.  The official notice can be found here. 

01-22-13:  Lodge member Bill Kohler has article published in Wooden Boat magazine about Ohio Pound-Net Boats which were used by Lake Erie fishermen in the late 1800's and early 1900's.  

01-22-13:  Lodge member Larry Stephenson and his wife Carol write article for Grosse Pointe Yacht Club's magazine about crossing Lake Michigan aboard the carferry Badger with Past Grand President Capt. Dean Hobbs.  

01-16-13:  Lodge Newsletter

01-16-13:  Corps of Engineers to hold meeting regarding shallow draft recreational harbors. Meeting will be held in Detroit on March 1, 2013.  Meeting will also be simulcast via Internet and teleconference and Corps staff will be available at various other locations around the Great Lakes.   

01-15-13:  USCG Cutter Morrow Bay to be permanently reassigned from Connecticut to Great Lakes

01-05-13:  Obituary:  Frank A. Blust - ISMA Pennant No. A-1484.  38-year member of Detroit Lodge No. 7 and resident of Fort Myers, FL.  

01-04-13:  Obituary:  Gerald A. Folgmann - ISMA Pennant No. A-12087.  Member of Detroit Lodge No. 7 and resident of Livonia.  Passed away on Friday, January 4, 2013 at the age of 85. 

12-19-12:  Lodge Newsletter

12-12-12:  Obituaries: Past Lodge President Capt. Robert D. Baldwin, and his wife, Barbara C. Baldwin

12-09-12:  Obituary:  Capt. Charles F. Wundrach - ISMA Pennant No. 11723.  Following a lengthy battle with cancer, Charlie passed away on December 3, 2012 at the age of 74.  He worked for the J.W. Westcott Company, and prior to that he worked at the Levy Dock on the Rouge River.  He was a member of Detroit Lodge No. 7 from 1998 to 2004.   Honoring Charlie's wishes, no funeral services were held.   

12-04-12:  Ivan Ludington, Jr., Grandson of Captain Lewis Ludington, passes away at age 87. 

12-03-12:  Chicago Tribune column about Chicago Lodge No. 3 and its President, Mark Stevenson

11-23-12:  Lodge Newsletter

11-16-12:  Lodge member Dr. Larry Stephenson has article published about his recent trip with Jack Frost & PGP Tom McMullen aboard the Stewart J. Cort.

11-10-12:  Lodge member John Jamian's letter to the editor of the Detroit News.  Mr. Jamian writes about Michigan's ballast water regulations and and effort to bring the regulations in line with those of nearby states.

11-05-12:  The USCG has issued a Marine Safety Information Bulletin advising owners, operators, and masters of US vessels operating in Canadian waters of changes to engineer manning requirements. Effective October 26, 2013, Canada will require US vessels, under their Marine Personnel Regulations, to perform an engineering watch on vessels having a propulsive power of at least 750 kW (1000 HP). The Canadian regulations will apply to vessels en route to and from a Canadian port. These regulations will not apply to US vessels transiting through Canadian waters from one US port directly to another. The Canadian regulations will primarily affect US uninspected vessels such as towing vessels, but have the potential to affect certain small-passenger vessels falling below the US tonnage threshold for a Chief Engineer.

10-24-12:  The USCG has issued a News Release stating that administrative enforcement action has been initiated against the operating company of the visiting cruise ship Yorktown and a licensed mariner following the grounding of the Yorktown that occurred on the Detroit River on August 25, 2012. 

10-20-12: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) posted a notice stating: “Due to the large number of transportation workers requesting extended expiration date (EED) TWICs, TSA requests that you order an EED TWIC no sooner than 4 months prior to your current TWIC expiration date.  If your card expires within 4 months and you would like to order an EED TWIC, please call the TWIC Help Desk at 1-866-DHS-TWIC (1-866-347-8942).”  (Courtesy of Bryant's Maritime Consulting).

10-15-12: The US Coast Guard has issued a Final Rule stating that speed limits will no longer apply to the 2.5 mile section of the Detroit River between Detroit River Light and Light D33.  The ISMA Navigation, Legislative, and Engineering Committee (NELC) has been advocating for this change.

10-12-12: The following article was released by the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force, of which ISMA is a member.    Seasonal Decline in Water Levels means Great Lakes Dredging Crisis will only worsen.

10-07-12:  Lodge No. 7 Newsletter

10-06-12:  The US Coast Guard issued a Safety Alert stating that certain Mustang Survival Inflatable PFDs with Hammar MA1 hydrostatic (HIT) inflation systems may not inflate and require a new re-arm kit to properly inflate by manual or automatic activation.  (courtesy of Bryant's Maritime Consulting)

09-19-12:  Mustang Survival has issued a Safety Alert  Safety Alert concerning certain Mustang Survival HIT Inflatable personal floatation devices that may be subject to delayed or non-inflations.

09-02-12: Obituary: Joseph H. Carollo - ISMA Pennant No. 10148
Former Member of Detroit Lodge No. 7 (1975-1987); Former President of the Windsor-Detroit Barge Line.
 
08-20-12: Lodge members Jim Hogan, Sam Buchanan, Bill Redding and Steve Carrothers mentioned in Crain's Detroit Business article about businesses that operate on the Detroit River.

08-15-12:  Obituary: Capt. Faro Taormina - ISMA Pennant No. 11000
Passed away on Monday, August 13, 2012 at the age of 68.   Faro was a self employed yacht captain, and had worked on vessels such as the M/Y Topcoat, where he was captain for 7 years, followed by the  M/Y Shade Mor, and M/Y Tigress.  In recent years, he sold nautical items on-line including art created from NOAA charts.  He was a former resident of Fair Haven, Michigan and had been living in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida since 1997.  He joined Detroit Lodge No. 7 on January 30, 1990.   Newspaper Death Notice

07-30-12:  Several members of Lodge No. 7 participate in a remembrance ceremony marking the 50-year anniversary of the MONTROSE accident in the Detroit River on July 30, 1962.  

07-22-12: Obituary: John Gerald "Jerry" Crowley - ISMA Pennant No. A-10662
Passed away on Saturday, July 21, 2012 at the age of 90.   Jerry had been a member of Detroit Lodge No. 7 for 27 years, and during that time served in various capacities including lodge president in 1994.  Jerry and his wife Dotty regularly attended lodge functions until recently, when his health prevented him from doing so.  Jerry was a well-known marine artist, and a long-time member of the Great Lakes Maritime Institute.  He was currently serving on our board of governors.
                      Newspaper Death Notice                       Funeral Home Obituary

05-01-12:  At its meeting today, the Board of Governors of Detroit Lodge No. 7 agreed to send all the proceeds from the February 19 Dennis Hale speaking event - $500.00 - to the Grand Lodge Scholarship Fund.  The board thanked and congratulated member Rick Scott for planning a successful event and fundraiser.
The board also approved donations to the Noble Odyssey Foundation, Mariners' Church of Detroit, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, and the 2012 Lost Mariners Remembrance event, scheduled for November 10, 2012 at Dossin Museum.