Joseph L. Block - Capturing a Crime in the Canal (Read Description)

Here is the Joseph L. Block seen arriving in Duluth, Minnesota just before midnight on April 21, 2022. She was arriving empty to load taconite (iron ore pellets) from the Canadian National dock in West Duluth. The ore was scheduled for delivery to Cleveland. On her way in from Lake Superior, the Block sounded a traditional captain's salute (one long and two short blasts), which the Aerial Lift Bridge answered in return.
After covering the arrival through the shipping canal, I made the journey over to Rice's Point to watch as the Block passed under the John A. Blatnik bridge. By this time, the clock ticked over past midnight and it was now April 22. This part of the journey was particularly scenic, as the harbor was smooth as glass... allowing for nice reflections of the Block as she passed by. Even the ripples she generated on the mirror-like surface were pretty, as they reflected the lights from the Block's pilot house.
On a much less pleasant note, you can see that someone was shining a bright green laser pointer at the pilot house of the Block as she made her way through the shipping canal. This can be seen starting around 2:08 in the video. A Federal law enacted on January 1, 2021 states "It shall be unlawful to cause the beam of a laser pointer to strike a vessel operating on the navigable waters of the United States." Penalties for this can range up to $25,000 in civil fines and 5 years in prison (or 25 years if impacting Coast Guard vessels). The reason this is such a serious crime is that powerful laser pointers can cause eye damage and/or temporary blindness. At a minimum, these lasers temporarily destroy night vision of the ship's pilot and make it difficult to see other watercraft or navigational aids or obstacles that might be in the ship's path. The crew can't simply stop the ship on a dime while they wait for their night vision to return.
Unfortunately, I didn't notice the laser pointer at the time, as I was too focused on operating my camera. I only noticed it much later when editing the footage. Reviewing the footage, it appears the laser beam came from the south pier. Hopefully we never see this occur again in the shipping canal (or anywhere on the lakes for that matter). If you see this activity while it is occurring, you are recommended to call law enforcement and report it. (Note: I have reported the incident to the Coast Guard. While it may be too late to catch those responsible, they may want the video evidence if they've already started an investigation.)
The 728-foot Joseph L. Block was launched in 1976 and sailed for the Inland Steel Company until 1999, when Inland Steel was sold to Ispat International from the Netherlands. In late 2020 or early 2021, she was sold to Cleveland-Cliffs, along with her fleet mates the Wilfred Sykes and the Edward L. Ryerson. While the Block still sails under the Inland Steel colors, she now carries the name of her new owners on her smokestack. She has a cargo capacity of 37,200 tons and generates 7,000 horsepower from her two General Motors V-20 diesel engines.
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[@gizmomom7140]

Just beautiful. Watch a lot of these videos online. This is my favorite....hands down. Night time view just wonderful. Water reflection superb. Thank You so much for this video.

[@1Long2Short]

Thank you!

[@leehanna4929]

Great reflections!

[@marthav2772]

Beautiful video, thank you! I share the same sentiments about that laser. Whoever used it should be stopped. Hopefully the crew did alert the authorities.

[@timjim10]

Another video beautifully framed and shot. Thank you!

[@1Long2Short]

Thank you!

[@edkiely2712]

Once again, I simply love the natural sounds! Next best thing to actually sitting under the lift-bridge and taking it all in. Love seeing, day-to-day, the steady diet of locals (and periodic tourists I'm sure) who come to see these big behemoth's, wave at the crew members, or listen to the old maritime observance of 1 Long, 2 Short. Much life is truly contained in these everyday ritualistic pratices and occurrences. We just have to know how to see and listen for them. Thanks again!👍

[@1Long2Short]

Thank you! I’m admittedly a little jealous of the locals who see the ships everyday.

[@seajustsea4935]

This was so beautiful....the reflection of the lights on the water added to the beauty of the scene. With the lake being so calm then, made the JLB glide so smoothly along. Thanks @1 Long 2 Short for this amazing video!

[@1Long2Short]

Thank you!

[@glorias6124]

I never noticed this either while i watched her come in till you pointed it out. Thank you for this video of my favorite ship. 😊 it has been a long year for me and seeing this video really put a smile on my face. I just wish people would think before they do stuff how it will effect the other person or people. The Block will forever be my favorite.

[@1Long2Short]

Thank you Gloria!

[@fairmaidenvoyage87]

She and the bridge are beautiful all light up!

[@dianebeier8379]

Just beautiful, serene and perfect, thank you. SHAME on the nasty evil doers with a Lazer, why don't they find something productive to do? Alot of idiots nowdays...

[@donaldvincent]

What a BEAUTIFUL piece of video. I just love watching these ships.

[@1Long2Short]

Thank you!

[@dcranch4820]

Wow i loved the night time video. Great job of filming the beautiful ship coming into port. I really liked your explanations of things in the description! It was very helpful to learn how things work while ships are entering the port!

[@1Long2Short]

Thank you!

[@LibbyRal]

That is exquisite. I'm an artist and one of my favorite subjects to paint are reflections in still water. You video gave me such a thrill. Thank you

[@1Long2Short]

Thank you Libby! It was a magical night in the harbor.

[@susanfaulkner2304]

Bob Ross the painter is laid to rest 3 miles from my home on Gotha, Florida. I love his paintings of the moonlight on the water!😊🎨🖌️

[@anthonys7534]

I worked many nights loading that ship at the Escanaba Ore Dock

[@who2u333]

What a great night for photography.

[@robertbate5790]

Great video, and more beautiful reflections 👍👍👍. Ive never heard mention of lasering at ships before, but to pass a law it must be happening.

[@1Long2Short]

It's been a problem with aircraft for some time now, with the lights often blinding pilots before they come in for landing. They expanded the law to cover maritime vessels in 2021.

[@robertbate5790]

@@1Long2Short Same here sadly. The local police helicopter is targeted frequently. 😡😡

[@SplitHairz]

Great video skills. Love it.

[@1Long2Short]

Thank you!

[@adriannegrillo8394]

Little punks!! This was a beautiful video! I love the way she takes the corners. Thank you!

[@1Long2Short]

Thanks!

[@100delgirl]

Great video!

[@flyship]

Great Videos

[@1Long2Short]

Thank you!

[@ShipsoftheOceans]

Joseph is running in Stealth mode.

[@mariannatexas]

Did you share this video with the coast guard? Maybe the pier cameras caught the person so they can identify them.

[@1Long2Short]

Unfortunately I only noticed the laser while editing the video last night… nine days after I recorded it. My hope is that the Block called the Coast Guard or local law enforcement if they were impacted by the laser. Unfortunately, there aren’t any cameras covering that portion of the piers. The bridge has numerous cameras, but those only cover critical areas of the bridge… and they likely wouldn’t have seen anything in the raised position. My hope is that this video is informative to those who might consider pointing a laser at a ship… giving them a good reason NOT to do it.

[@1Long2Short]

Just a follow up... I did send my video to the Coast Guard. It might be too late to catch those responsible, but they may want the video evidence in case the Block already reported the incident.

[@gotchagee3315]

@@1Long2Short The Block had to report it because that beam went right into the wheel house. It's just my guess but no way they did not notice it.

[@scottchadbourne4759]

@@1Long2Short @ 2:29-2:34 Note the 2 individuals walking away from the northwest corner of the bridge and the stop light area just after the ship's stern passes the bridge.

[@TOPDadAlpha]

Very good point

[@colleen3107]

That is despicable for people to continue to do that sort of thing with Laser lights. On another note, this evening was in stark contrast to most of April this year, with its continued snow, gales, rough seas and cold weather. Beautiful video.

[@1Long2Short]

Yes, this was the calm after the storm!

[@melissawarfield]

Thank goodness the laser light didn't get to the crows nest. That is horrible. Hope that person will get caught next time. I also wonder if you shared the video with the Coast Guard too.

[@1Long2Short]

It appears the light did briefly intersect the pilot house windows. Sadly I only noticed it nine days after recording it. I suspect this kind of thing happens more frequently than we know about… probably kids goofing off most of the time.

[@2fathomsdeeper]

@@1Long2Short That laser spot was a good foot across, so shot at a pretty good distance. Probably 400-500 yds out.

[@1Long2Short]

@@2fathomsdeeper I think you are probably right.

[@bazza945]

So very calm for once.

[@yourroyalhighness7662]

Excellent job in reporting this to the Coast Guard. Here’s hoping that the guilty arse wipes are found and made to pay for their stupidity.

[@georgesmith8113]

Good catch with the laser. 👍👍👍👊👊

[@jsallscales7856]

The Joseph L Block, the most beautiful sternender out there! I’ve heard her referred to as the Slow Joe, is there any reason behind that or just a goofy nickname?

[@1Long2Short]

I'm not sure. Whenever I see her, she's always moving really fast!

[@cris_261]

More beautiful lightning that makes everything look like a model, or a painting. Shame about the idiot with the laser. Would have been poetic justice if all of the Block's searchlights immediately focused on the offender as a big time "gotcha!"

[@1Long2Short]

Now that would have been fun to see!

[@denault3985]

Ship doing it's job so quietly...thank you good neighbor!

[@livinglikeananimal]

The water here is so breathtakingly beautiful, like liquid glass! So shiny and reflective. I love your nighttime scenes so much because of how the lights and colors just pop out of the darkness, that makes it look almost enchanted. Also, whichever jerk was aiming a laser pointer at the bridge needs a swift kick to the shins at the very least - is blinding the person steering a 728 foot, 37 ton ship really that smart of an idea in a space as tight as the ship canal? >_< Were they TRYING to get the ship to crash into the wall?

[@1Long2Short]

Thanks! Shooting this nighttime footage is one of my favorite parts of visiting Duluth. Always happy when I hear people enjoy the results! 🙂

[@greathornedowl3644]

Thank you, beautiful scene. Sadly the safety was jeopardized by idiots.

[@franciscoj.sepulvedal.7975]

Great video as always ! Its a Shame someone use lásers.

[@kevincrosby1760]

Around my neck of the woods, folks are liable to assume that a laser pointer aimed at them is attached to a weapon also aimed at them and may respond in a like manner....

[@1Long2Short]

Yes, that’s always a concern with laser pointers. 😟

[@IamValentina66]

How incredibly beautiful ‘twas the night

[@ajbaumgart4774]

Who ever shined the lazer at the bridge like that is real stupid that could have blinded the captain or officers up there thats so dangerous and very stupid to do

[@TOTALCAMARO]

I thought I seen a green laser pointer shining on the pilot house. It wasn’t just a small pointing it was quite a large display on the pilot house. People need to get a life.

[@dianebeier8379]

Agree!

[@corydriver7634]

Yes he talked about it in the description hence the title of the video.

[@corydriver7634]

Did the crew report the laser incident?

[@henryhawk978]

People who perform such needs to be dealt with and punished. BE SAFE OUT THERE!

[@davidsquires154]

To the person who aimed a,Laser at the Joseph L. Block needs to be in Jail and throw away the key 🗝.

[@craigpalmer9196]

i hope they used a serchlight to look for the person,are they leds or carbon arch?

[@1Long2Short]

I think they were too busy navigating the harbor to search for people with the laser. Sadly, they probably deal with stuff like this more often than we realize.

[@marklangren3142]

👍👍👍

[@TOPDadAlpha]

The penalty for this deed needs to be upped..... Larger financial penalty for sure. This is outrageous

[@thebigguy8306]

Beautiful scene, nearly ruined by laser idiots. From the angel would they have been on the bridge? We get these in the twin cities, people laser pointing at planes into and out of MSP

[@1Long2Short]

The public isn't allowed on the bridge when it lifts up for boats to pass. I'm guessing it came from either the western end of the south pier or possibly even from across the harbor. Those green lasers are wickedly powerful.

[@dianebeier8379]

Always some idiots nearby in this life!

[@mikejuba9228]

Those green lasers can cause permanent eye damage/blindness. We carried special glasses in our flight bags to combat those idiots.

[@nathanemery2485]

person needs to be prosecuted!

[@dianebeier8379]

I AGREE, IDIOTS WHO SPOIL BEAUTY!

[@brade7322]

Honestly when i saw the title i was thinking how did joseph block commit a crime in the canal 😂😅😅

[@EperogiLimousine]

A lot of people may think that the laser doesn’t do anything and it’s just a harmeless prank but for all the crew know, they may have thought it was a weapons and caused mass panic,

[@cris_261]

Just heard that Gordon Lightfoot has passed at age 84.

[@1Long2Short]

One of my favorites, even if you remove “Wreck…” from the equation. 😢

[@kannermw]

OMG the comments about the laser pointer remind me of the deranged left lane enforcers we have in this state. You know those morons who can't accept the left lane as a legally designated passing lane and feel it is their sovereign duty to enforce speed limit by not moving over as they should by law.

[@UncleKennysPlace]

Someone who shined a light at an airplane recently got some honest-to-goodness prison time.

[@1Long2Short]

Yeah, it's no joking matter.

[@Lynchfan88]

Yes, the laser pointer..not cool. Otherwise very nice footage that you shot.

[@1Long2Short]

Thanks Michael!

[@jesset061084]

That’s pretty ballsy to do to a ship of that size that could of caused some serious danger to the ship the crew or anyone else I saw the laser right away

[@dillongroff4185]

Whoever was pointing a green laser light at the Joseph L. block ship has to be stopped immediately, please whoever record this, bring it to the news this has to stop !!!!

[@1Long2Short]

It’s been reported to the Coast Guard.

[@dillongroff4185]

@@1Long2Short I'm just concerned for the people that were on that ship because it could have went very wrong if the captain was severely blinded

[@railgap]

Holy crap, what a monumentally stupid thing to do. >_< I once had my retina "bleached" for about two weeks, because of a fool waving a high-powered green laser projector around. I couldn't see out of that eye at all for over an hour. An opthalmologist examined it and found I had a big new blind spot. It lasted for two weeks, but it gradually went away. IOW, I was within a few camel hairs of having serious permanent eye damage, and I got very lucky. I couldn't get the festival operators to care, nor would they cough up the name of the laser operator. I would have had to sue them. I have no money for lawyers, and no permanent damage, so there was no punishment, and the idiots were free to continue violating ILDA laser projection safety rules, CDRH exposure laws etc etc. :(

[@1Long2Short]

Those lasers are no joke! Sorry you had to deal with that.

[@vernwallen4246]

Those 1000 footers are basically motorized barges that self unload.🗽👍⚓

[@1Long2Short]

And they do a damn good job of it! 🙂

[@RobertSanders-mp2ef]

I hope they catch the culprits and keel haul them.

[@jonobester5817]

What's the crime?? Not having any tug boats?

[@1Long2Short]

See the video description.

[@jonobester5817]

@@1Long2Short The green laser?

[@1Long2Short]

Yes, it's a felony to point a laser at a maritime vessel (or aircraft).

[@Local-Of-The-Mitten-State]

hope they get arrested. Uncalled for.

[@Jfk3434]

Terrorism

[@1Long2Short]

Most likely kids (or ignorant adults) who need to learn a lesson.

[@Peter-qf3be]

Freaking kids

[@milesgiorlando3116]

Some people who do this sorta shit should respect ships like the Joseph L. Block rather than doing something stupid like shine a laser at the ship. They oughta have nighttime security cameras or something so whoever decides to do something stupid like this, they'll be caught on video.

[@1Long2Short]

Unfortunately these lasers have a really long range, so the person responsible may have been out of view of any cameras in Canal Park.

[@milesgiorlando3116]

@@1Long2Short they should still have some respect for these ships and their captains and crews either way if you ask me.

[@1Long2Short]

Totally agree.

[@milesgiorlando3116]

@@1Long2Short I've always wanted to visit Canal Park in Duluth and see these huge ships up close and personal. Especially the ATB units.

[@1Long2Short]

If you have the means to do so, I highly recommend it. Plan on at least 3 days if you can, since you can get slow days with very little shipping traffic. If you stay at least 3 days, you're bound to see at least a few ships.

[@oceansoul3694]

Wow this is a powerful video, she's just barreling down the canal and lasers be damned. I hope someone got footage & was able to ID the culprit...also I hope he goes blind. Idiots. I have a lot of other things I could say but this will suffice. Thank you for sharing this with us

[@1Long2Short]

Fortunately it appears the outcome was good, but it could have been much worse... especially if other vessels were operating in the area, as is common on summer nights.

[@maxnikolenko2302]

I uswd to like this chanel....but now the youtuber tries too hard with clickbaits he/she learned along the way to het more views just from title headings. Pretty missleading

[@1Long2Short]

Not misleading at all, if you read the video description... which I suggested in the video title. What the person did with the laser pointer in the video was a felony under Federal law. I'm sorry it wasn't to your approval and that you no longer like the channel. KZbinrs admittedly have to make the titles exciting or else nobody will watch the videos, but I never attempt to deceive. If you're a true fan of ships, you'll watch regardless. Thanks for your input.

[@gentrynewsom2080]

Not Cool..!

[@JH-gd2rv]

I don't like narcs

[@georgesabol459]

The builders vs destroyers. The men & women who work, the odiots who like to cause problems. One day, collectively, we will simply have enough !!!!