The Michipicoten Hasn't Failed Inspection or is Being Scrapped (as of now)

[@ConnorTenold]

If you have heard any updates comment below.

[@dianarose4122]

Please do not assume what you think. This a needed working ship, and sailors who need jobs. They want to be safe first...then be able to work!

[@davidmussack4529]

For some reason, this ship fascinates me. Thanks for the update.

[@ConnorTenold]

your welcome!

[@jamesnelson6980]

Thanks, Connor. There's no need to speculate until when and if the yellow line is painted at the waterline on her bow.

[@ConnorTenold]

Your welcome!

[@chuckg6039]

@@jamesnelson6980 Very true James.

[@mattrodgers4878]

Yellow line? What’s the significance in that? Kinda curious now.

[@jamesnelson6980]

@@mattrodgers4878 The yellow line is painted on the bow of the boat at the waterline, signifying she's going to the scrap yard.

[@unyieldingcreek1]

Thanks for not speculating!! I’ve been seeing a ton of that in the FB groups recently as I am sure many others have as well.

[@ConnorTenold]

You bet

[@brade7322]

Thank you Connor for the updates. There was a video on KZbin stating the ship failed inspection with no sources to back it up. Hopefully she can be saved and fixed up!

[@ConnorTenold]

you bet

[@Delta_NWAB747fan]

I saw the video saying otherwise and some in the comments were even celebrating. One of my favorite lake boats of all time. Even if it’s service career is in question, hopefully it can be saved whole or in parts. Some of those lake boat houses are really cool. Thank you for clarifying!

[@ConnorTenold]

Your welcome! These ships don't take chances anymore. In bad weather they anchor so safety is definetely considered. Plus no company wants the bad publicity of a ship sinking so I don't think they'd be taking big chances.

[@Delta_NWAB747fan]

@@ConnorTenold I completely agree.

[@falcondragonslayer]

The Michipicoten would make a cool museum ship. Currently, the most recent lake freighter preserved as a museum ship is the William A. Irvin in Duluth, and its from 1938. The Michipicoten, with its self-unloading system and diesel engines, would represent a newer type of lake freighter.

[@hiptonics]

Thanks for the research and update!

[@ConnorTenold]

You bet!

[@charlescarter7496]

Absolutely. crew can be laid off for any number of reasons. Hope this vessel can get back to work soon.

[@edfrawley4356]

If they are going to put her back into service I feel it would be much more fitting serving as a bean boat rather than hauling iron pellets or taconite. The grains will max out on volume rather than weight putting less stress on the hull.

[@ConnorTenold]

Could swap trade routes with another fleetmate. Grain is also a dangerous cargo though and in some ways more so than Taconite pellets. Anything done wrong during loading could in a worst case scenario capsize the vessel. Grain cargoes also shift more which means if the ship lists to one size too much it will capsize beacuse of it's shifting. For grain this would be a 20 degree list. Of course it depends on what all of the issues are for the Michipicoten.

[@donraptor6156]

Thank you Mr. Marine Engineer risk assessment.

[@chuckg6039]

At this point I am keeping mum one way or another. Simply waiting for an official anouncement. It is too important and involves so many facets of individual livelihoods that we all should be cautious ....and hold back at this time.

[@ConnorTenold]

That's a good idea

[@foreverspring]

I completely agree. I'm confident that Lower Lakes Towing will make an announcement re the future of the Michipicoten when a decision is made. Until then I'll just wait until we have that official announcement.

[@adriannegrillo8394]

Thanks as always Connor. There is a vid out there stating she did fail inspection. I hope you are right!

[@ConnorTenold]

your welcome!

[@greatnorthern930]

I drove by the ship docked last week, the bones are showing in a major way on the ships sides.

[@louisglen1653]

There could be something completely unrelated to the structural integrity that could cause it to fail inspection. So a lot of people seem to make speculations that aren't based on facts. I am optimistic it will be sailing again simply because I have seen so many active old boats over the years.

[@jefffrayer8238]

Exactly, why wouldn't inspectors fail her while in drydock? Maybe elictrical or galley isn't up to standards. Let's wait and see.

[@roygearheadniederlander8944]

Just speculation on my part but I seem to recall reading recently this boat went through a major refit being converted from steam turbine to more modern diesel power. On the order of 15 million dollars, so this would work in the boats favor for repair / reinforcement if the owners are already into it this deep. Likely got other upgrades while this was being accomplished. Just hope to see it out working again!

[@chuckg6039]

@@roygearheadniederlander8944 it was 14 years ago.

[@chuckg6039]

@@roygearheadniederlander8944 was 14 years ago.

[@madison9582]

Thank you!

[@ConnorTenold]

Your welcome!

[@jefffrayer8238]

I saw todays vid claiming she failed inspection and bound for the scrapyard. Watching that vid my thought was why didn't they fail her while in drydock maybe even before the repairs were started or done before refloating? Kind of bothers me that inspection and decision would have been determined just before or after expense of making repairs. Not so sure about some calling her a death trap that have no repair skills.

[@ConnorTenold]

No company is going to let a ship sail that could likely sink. That would be terrible publicity. Not only in the public's eye but in their consumers eye too. Customers wouldn't trust them anymore. Not only that, there would likely be lawsuit's from the families of those who were loss. All of these factors make for sailing an unseaworthy ship a horrible idea. There are likely no comapanies that would risk something like that. If the Michipicoten sails again I have full confidence that the ship would be safe. But tradgedy is never a 0% chance for any vessel....

[@dickdaley9059]

Be clear about the return of Mitchy. It is the decision of the insurance carriers that will seal her future. Ownership has no part of influence toward what the insurer deems best. Without insurance, no ship sails in revenue status. If she is certified to returned to service, you can bet the insurance premiums will be astronomical. Will she be ready to support the cost of debt service at her age? 🇺🇸⚓️

[@jasonbrunault7902]

I seen a statment from lower lakes towing. They are asking for an extension for dry dock to find and fix other issues. She is not set for the torches just yet. There is still some hope

[@ConnorTenold]

Where did you see the statement?

[@jasonbrunault7902]

@ConnorTenold posted on a ship page I'm on. Someone got in contact with lower lakes towing via email and the responded with that. Mich has not failed.

[@ConnorTenold]

@@jasonbrunault7902 Ok, thanks!

[@HahnJames]

Thanks for the info, Connor. This old girl deserves to be rehabilitated even if, just for her classic design. Have you ever stood looking at one of these old grand dames of the inland seas and wondered what it was like working on her decks when she was taking her maiden voyage? Still hoping that you're doing well and enjoying the remainder of your summer. Lol. It's only been about 20 minutes since I left my previous comment. Time for a cupcake! My birthday was on the 18th and a friend of mine delivered some cupcakes that his mom made for me for my birhtday this past Thursday. They were a week late but, I will always appreciate cupcakes made out of love.

[@ConnorTenold]

You bet! I’ve always wanted to go to on one of those beauties and see up close the industry so important to our country and Canada. Happy belated birthday! Another year just means more knowledge gained.

[@OscarVaughn]

I have a relative that works up there and according to him it's not being scraped. Apparently they are still doing some work on her.

[@blue81blue81]

Many folks here thinking with their hearts and not with their heads. Easy to say repair her when it's not your money. To say she might be retired is not a "negative" comment. It's a real possibility and totally understandable. Feel good traditions aside, runnng a ship on the lake is a business. Needs to turn a profit. I hope she sails again but may not be cost effective anymore. Any of you who can't deal with that can always buy her and fix her up yourselfs.

[@ConnorTenold]

True, only time will tell

[@rodlamont3736]

Fix the old girl ...SAVE HER !!!

[@brade7322]

I agree 100 percent!

[@dianarose4122]

Save her!!

[@jeremycox571]

Michipicoten may be laid up for the rest of the season, they are waiting word from Lower Lakes Towings owners in Toronto

[@kolsen6330]

Its a steel boat. The nice thing about a steel boat is any damage can be easily cut out and replaced. Its not rocket science. I have been a journeyman ship fitter since 1976 and have repaired or replaced the shell plate or frames on hundreds of boats. The hardest part of repairing her will be cleaning any tanks to allow safe entry and hotwork. As to her age, look at how many WW2 LCMs and LCTs are still being used by the fishing industry in Alaska. Now some of THEM are truely scary.

[@RobertThiry]

The Fitzgerald failed her 5-year USCG inspection but was sailing under a waiver. Maybe the Michipicoten could get one too?

[@phillipgarrow2297]

If it isn't seaworthy it needs to be scrapped loss of human life isn't worth the chance

[@ConnorTenold]

It definitely isn’t worth the chance. Though, a company that makes that much money isn’t going to risk the bad publicity of a ship sinking.

[@EricDaMAJ]

​@@ConnorTenold Wrecks litter the bottom of the Great Lakes because companies risked them for a profit margin with no ill effects except to bereaved families of those sailors. It will be no different if this 72 year old relic snaps in half mid voyage. We're not talking about companies that depend on consumer goodwill to survive like McDonalds or Tesla. Hell, the company will probably blame the crew, which is what past companies did.

[@ConnorTenold]

@@EricDaMAJ That was very true for the past. Now, the last shipwreck was in 1975. If another one sank it would be all over the internet.

[@viridimontes]

We haven’t learned much since the Marine Electric tragedy, have we?

[@mikehermen3036]

Yes, we did. But it is unclear why you think it has any relevance to this ship.

[@carolewoolley7017]

There is entirely too much speculation without fact..negativity is never a good starting point Take a look at our country, look for the positive people.

[@ConnorTenold]

Very true. Positivity with a knowledge of what's negative is key. But why create more negative speculation when there is already a lot of negative in the world. For some people a craving for attention and clout surpasses all critical thinking.

[@elfritts9895]

The saddest part is that there was only 2 more payments and that girl was paid off!

[@TonyTruth-s9z]

Thanks for the update. Some clown is spreading misinformation.

[@ConnorTenold]

Your welcome! That's unfortunate.

[@dw5er5hh67]

This vessel is to old. Ist danger to sail such vessel...

[@BobEllis79]

Saying profitable for Lower Lakes Towing is like saying something is profitable for Dollar General, not good business for anyone else. I've watched a lot of their ships go by and it seems they'd sail even after failing inspection if they could get away with it to make a buck.

[@jivepatrol6833]

They should retire this old tub.

[@JamesWilliams-w3t]

Death trap next fitz

[@jefffrayer8238]

So you're the expert? Just what are your credentials? Seems funny they didn't condemn her while in drydock.

[@JamesWilliams-w3t]

@@jefffrayer8238 40 year at sea

[@rudycarlson8245]

Aren’t you fun at parties? Keep the negative opinions to yourself. Who knows what the situation is with this boat until we get official word on her condition

[@JamesWilliams-w3t]

@@rudycarlson8245 40 years at sea

[@jefffrayer8238]

@@JamesWilliams-w3t I'm sure you are one of many that spent a bunch of years at sea but that qualifies you to know hull integrity? What does a deck hand, cook, radioman or electrician know about the hull? I'll leave it up those that are paid to inspect ships for defects and oversee repairs.

[@galewinds7696]

Scrap the tub........no point in belaboring the issue.