Just heard the news from Champion's Auto Ferry,...the USCG will be closing the Harsen's Island ferry on Monday at 10am for 3-4 days
Note: changed post time to keep this at the top of the page for Friday 2/19/2010...Melon
Tags: Harsens Island, Harsen's Island Michigan,
52 comments:
I thought the USCG was suppose to rescue people ...NOT TRAP THEM !!!
THIS IS SOOOO IGNORANT!!!
Don't forget to remind people that trash pickup probably won't occur.
This is so stupid. Again? The way the cutters work is they run atop the ice, which in turn pushes it down further toward the bottom of the river. All this does is cause it to pile on top of itself, and stack up, which makes it jam up more. Since the river is already full of ice and low water. Never in 35 years do I remember any kind of effort like this to relieve the ice, pressure, or for the so called worry of flooding up river, which is a bunch of crap too. The Black, and Pine Rivers are both low, like here. If you fell off the seawall, youd break you leg its so far down! The ice has nowhere to go, and the river would take care of itself naturally as it always has. Lake St. Clair is full of ice too along with Lake Erie, both shallow lakes. Anyone who lives along the river, I suggest you file a complaint against the coast guard for property damage to your docks, because this will only make the ice pile up more along the coastline. If spring ever comes, and the ice really begins to move, there will be damage to docks, waterlines, boathouses, etc. Not only that, but how fast they run through the ice now. I dont see once again how this relief effort will do anything except complicate our life. If some freighters want to continue to run in this to make an extra buck, and get stuck, instead of stopping in Dec like they used to, they should sit locked in the ice until spring too. Because all that does is screw things up as well when they run, or when the coast guard goes to free them up. This is just another wasted use of our tax dollars. Or worse yet illegal aliens could walk over on the ice, lol. There has to be more of a reason than potential flooding, because there isnt any. I hope people see how our elected officials in Lansing work for our best interests> yeah right!
Duck hunters and boaters unite! Let's create a chain of boats and people to blockade the Coast Guard in the open water near the ferry.
My Island friends, down here in Harrison Twp the water level has dropped 3 feet causing in excess of $1M damage to our marina here. There are sea walls all around Macomb County that will fail due to the drastic drop in the water level. Its not about the ferry, millions of dollars in property damage have already occurred below the ice bridge/dam. Get a 12 pack kick pack and enjoy the island. Isn't that why you live there?
Bottoming Out in Harrison Twp
Harrison Twp dude...
lol...what we are saying is that what the USCG is doing isn't working...they need to move on and try something else!!!!
You need to read all of the post before you comment...it's Not just about the Low water levels...there is sooooo much more to it...and I'm sure we don't even know it all!!!
I personally think it has a lot to do with the Canadian Freighters also...but that's just a speculation...our dinky little ice bridge we have isn't causing all this low water...it is way North of us....and as for getting a 12 pack and kicking back....there are tons of people over here that have to work and earn a living...not to mention all the school children that are missing school...so if we want to vent a little...so be it!!!
This is where we live...we didn't move here or grow up here to be on a Permanent Vacation...what are you an Idiot...? These are our homes...just like you have a home..ours just happens to be on an Island...
oh, and Islander4ever...LOL!! funny
People just don't get it. It is all about them. Oh his seawall well what about my job. Been here 15 years, first year my boss has been upset about this. Maybe Marina guy can give us all jobs if Harsens Island closes long enough to fix a problem that is 30 miles away from us.
I have a home there too. The icebreaking capability of the Mighty Mac will grind up the ice (they back down on it) you people need to learn more about technology. BTW more people are affected away from the island than on the island, so the Coasties will do the right thing now with something powerful not the wimpy "icebreaking tugs" it will all be over in a week. You need a bridge not that old worn out ferry.
Bottoming Out in Harrison Twp
So i should just kick back with a 12 pack...oh i live on Harsens Island...so i must be on Vacation all the time and my kids are so smart, they don't need to go to school....NEWS FLASH...We have jobs over here too...and My child does need an education ..just like everyone else...This isn't a resort...This is my Year round home...I grew up here just like my family generations before me...i don't need to learn more about tech...i need to get to work!! and how in the hell do you know how affected we are...You don't live here!
and for the record...i would Love a Bridge...are you going to build it for us??
Harrison Twp, You mean you have a summer home? So really have no idea what this is like! Your kids are probably going to school and you aren't missing work or freezing trying to get a few measly groceries or your prescriptions or to a doctor's appt. The damage to your precious marina is doubtfully due to low water. We have marinas here as you know and their water is down a few feet and I see no damage.
just so everyone knows. the st. clair river is open from algonac past st. clair. i don't know where they are going to find some ice to break from st. clair south.
LOL my family has been there since circa 1898 does that make me anything....no. We live in a democracy so how many people live on the island? 1500-2000...I am guessing of course. How many people and businesses have waterfront property from say New Baltimore to Wyandotte? How much damage is the low water level causing? $ Millions. Is Candace Miller a "thug" no she is representing the majority in her district, that is how a democracy works. Like I said before the mistake that was made was not getting the appropriate assets in place (i.e. Mackinaw) soon enough. You will see first hand how the new ice-breaking technology works. By the way why don't you check history, back in 1972 ferry service was interupted many times by the ice, in fact the "all clear" didn't occur until the first week in May; I know I rode over the first day the ferry re-opened. Enjoy the beautiful day and please post some shots of the mighty Mac duriing her thing next week, I don't have time to come and watch.
Bottoming Out in Harrison Twp
Nice long winded post BOIHT, but your whole snarky premise is that there is damage occurring right now. There isn't.
Nice try though. And yes, Miller is a thug. As a big time business person with a summer house here and a Marina, how many times have you cheated the system. How corrupt have you been?
Is this why you identify with corrupt politicians?
Well...my Grandfather was born "on" the Island in 1897...so take that however you'd like.
So, because only 1500-2000 of us here on the Island...we have no say, and we should just shut up...you apparently don't know us Islanders Very well then..lol
I NEVER said that the problem shouldn't be taken care of...I said they should try something different...because what they are doing isn't working!!! Pay attention! They are messing around with the North Channel ...Go and get the Ice out of the South Channel....get it out of the Lake...their isn't even any ice in the North Channel right now....
and The Mackinaw has nothing to do with it...The Griffin and the Samuel Risley was here(Canadian Cutters) They are as big and as powerful as the Mackinaw..??? so what is your point?
I have seen first hand the Cutters in action...many times...you don't have to go back as far as 1972...in 1984 i rode on the Bramble...so I've seen the tech. up close and personal for your info...and i definitely know my history..as I've seen first hand or have heard tons and tons of stories from my family or all the history I have researched myself! LOL...so, I'm not sure who you are or who your family is, but I am a true Blue Islander...and always will be!!
:O)
You don't answer any of my questions Tom R. Are the islanders in the majority on this issue? BTW you don't intimidate me with your foolish allegations either.
Bottoming Out in Harrison Twp
http://www.uscg.mil/d9/cgcMackinaw/
The rabmle is not and was not an ice breaker. LOL
Bramble ...sorry.
Questions?...you want me to answer...I'm the minority..what do i have to say...Nothing, according to you...i have no say!
Are you kidding me with all this whoo haw you keep spouting off..the bottom line is that us Islanders are being affected by all of this...we are upset...They Need to fix the problem...Shutting our Ferry down for 3-4 days...for what!!!
They tried to fix the problem in the North Channel once...IT DIDN'T WORK...Move on!! It never worked in the past...what makes them think it will work NOW!
I Am aloud an opinion...if you don't like it...tough!
The Bramble was a USCG Cutter...it is now retired...look it up!!
http://www.phmuseum.org/Bramble.html
The USCG Cutter Bramble was here in 1984...it transported us for apprx. a Month back and forth...i know my history...you apparently don't..lol
Cutter does not equal ice breaker.
Maybe BOIHT could send us pictures. My guess is that whoever put in his posts and seawall didn't do it right, not deep enough or with tie backs causing collapse. I don't want anyone to have damage but I agree with Island girl 4ever. The ice needs to be moved down the South Channel and into the freighter channel to the open spot at the bottom of Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River, not into the jammed North Channel. Take a look at the satellite views at: coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/modis/region_map.html
AHHH>>>Yes it does...you are an Idiot!!
When they say Cutter...they are referring to Cutting ICE...in other words...ICE BREAKING...Here's some quotes for ya..notice the phrase Cutter...and Icebreaking...same thing...lmao
In 1962, the Bramble transferred to Detroit to perform the missions of search and rescue, icebreaking, and law enforcement throughout the Great Lakes, in addition to aids to navigation. In 1975, the Bramble reported to Port Huron. The cutter's areas of responsibility included eastern Lake Erie, southern Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay, and maintaining 187 buoys, one NOAA weather buoy, and three fog signals. During winter months, its capabilities as an icebreaker enabled it to escort ships through ice and assist ships in distress. The Bramble was decommissioned in 2003 to be used as a museum.
Islander4ever..that is a awesome website...i have it saved very cool!!
where did my Harrison Twp friend go?? LOL
The Big Ice Jam was 1984, not 1972, when the ice did not clear until the first week of May. And the Bramble and Neah Bay were our ferry service.
Correction - Bramble and Bristol Bay. Neah Bay also came.
this is true!
Dear BOIHT,
First, while not answering my questions, you tell me I didn't answer yours. You never directly asked me any questions as I did you, but that aside, yes, the islanders are indeed in the majority on this.
The islanders are the only ones suffering at the hands of bureaucracy and politics.
So why do you identify with, at best an inept politician, at worst another in the longest list of corrupt politicians?
I am pretty sure we also had a significant ice jam in '72. I remember missing a lot of school and having sunny days. But that was springtime and wind driven ice not Coast Guard driven!
Guess you don't remember the ice jam in 1972 maybe you weren't born yet...LOL. The maiden voyage of the largest ore carrier (then) Stewart J. Cort was delayed by the ice. Yes it was the first week in May 1972 ask Dave Bryson. Also there is only one icebreaker in the great lakes; that is a classification of ships and that would be the Mackinaw. The others are buoy tenders, they are not ice breakers sorry but I must disagree with you on that one, that is an official clssification. Bristol Bay and Neah are tugs with some ice breaking capability not ice breakers. No point in arguing we all want the same thing; if they would have pushed thru the ice pack earlier none of the problems would have happened. Please post pics of the action if there is any. Enjoy the Island! Thanks Candace for Operation Coal Shovel!
Bottoming Out in Harrison Township
DeVine here sitting on the bay in Harrison Twp. I can't wait to get back home,yet I gotta say"I want no Bridge". Wish I was there watching the ice roll in and I'll watch it go away again.I am NOT that other Harrison fella
In 1972 during the first week in April...Ice started to move down the Channels of the St Clair River...heavy Ice from Lake Huron. Then after several days of winds from the Southwest, the channels cleared of ice and we thought it was over, until the winds changed back to the North..by April 8th the Ice started to jam the North Channel again..but Champions Auto didn't shut down...after more southerly winds, the ice thinned again..but then again the wind changed back to the North..April 13th...that's when the Jam Started.
and Champion's made crossings almost every day, when ever possible, at great expense and damage to their boats.
Dick Moore also made flights with his Helicopter,
And it was the USCGU Acacia that was here helping..transporting people and aiding the Ferry.
Yes I was born then, by the way!
sorry ,,,USCGC Acacia
and another thing..Candace has nothing to do with "Operation Coal Shovel"...that is something I read the Coast Guard does every Year...has nothing to do with her!!
"Know your ships"
Bristol Bay---Ice Breaker
Neah Bay---Ice Breaker
Mackinaw---Ice Breaker
Hollyhock---Buoy Tender
Katmai Bay---Ice Breaker
Mobile Bay---Ice Breaker
also ,
when the Stewart J. Cort was delayed by the Ice then in 1972...they took all the Island kids out of school ..took them up to the South Channel and let them watch it go by...
The Coast Guard conducts two major operations during the icebreaking season, entitled Coal Shovel and Taconite, to ensure the most efficient movement of vessels through the entire Great Lakes region. Coal Shovel, under the control of Coast Guard Sector Detroit, encompasses southern Lake Huron, St. Clair/Detroit River systems, and Lakes Erie and Ontario, and includes the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Boatnerd.com
The North Channel from above Decker's out into the bay opened up on its own a couple of hours ago. No ice moving - just wide open water. The water level is coming up a little but nothing dramatic. Looks like Mother Nature beat the Coast Guard to it.
oh, i hope ...i hope...That would be wonderful!!!
Wanna bet they show up in force on Monday anyway? They have to spend that Homeland Security money somehow and Candy needs to make her constituents downstream think she's
earning her pay.
OH, sure they will...after all the hype...yea, they'll be here...I hope I'm wrong though
Pray for winds out of the west! Then maybe everything will stay on the Canadian side and the open spot in at the flats will open more! It would be mother natures joke on all of us. Island Girl 4ever, do you remember the hole in the bow of the Acacia from when it hit a pier somewhere?
This morning the North Channel is open even wider than last night. There's quite a bit of ice coming down now but it's flowing freely.
Let's hope the CG leaves it alone and doesn't choke it again by packing it in tight like they did last week.
40yr islander,
No, can't say that i remember that...when did that happen???
This is so stupid. As for harrison twp, yes there are people on the iisland who have a life,kids, and work. No this isnt the reason why we live there. I agree there will e times the ferry will be down due to natural problems with the iice. However this is a man made problem, and the the third week in a row. Heres a switch, what if your business is on the island> and you dont live there? Try it.As for the generation gap, argumentative, opinionated idiots over there> gfy. Just because you werent born on the island, the scumbag squatters over there never will consider you as an islander unless you contribute to their society of booze, pot and beer. If your family was established there in the 1800's you are an islander, even if you werent born there. Problem is the idiots who were established there later and were born there, who think they are better than everybody. Who sit on the iisland, and dont have a life since their family took some land and squatted on it. Im sick of the argument, and thhe mentality there. Nobody gives a crap. They are all out for themselves. Friends? Good luck, they will ALL stab ya in the back on the island eventually. Put that in your pipe and smoke it islanders. By the way my familly has been established there since 1889. And Im sure some idiot will comment on this and trump me saying their family came to the island in 1492 or something. Im sick of it and the attitude. No f'u
I love how people that do live here slam each other like that anonymous ass and their comments about pot, beer, and booze. Just because we live here and you don't approve how some live their lives does not give you the right to be holyier than thou. Keep your "as you would say" back stabbing comments to yourself..if you were a true islander you wouldn't slam your neighbors. This sucks..no doubt about it, will we live? yes..will we get thru this? yes..I for one have only been here 20 years but I do consider myself an islander..dont care what anyone else thinks..this is my home..and to the anonymous who is sick of all the attitude..look in the mirror and btw..FU back :) take care all....PEACE
FYI, Just went across the ferry. The sign now reads that the ferry will close tomorrow 9pm or maybe sooner. Maybe we can get our kids to school and the garbage collected.
Go to this link to see the water levels of the Great Lakes. You will notice that while Lake St. Clair is extremely low, Lake Huron/Michigan is pretty much normal. http://www.lre.usace.army.mil/greatlakes/hh/datalinks/PrinterFriendly/DailyLevelsEnglish.pdf
ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
I am Laughing out Loud!!!!
That was absolutely ridiculous!!!!
If you don't like the conversation....stay away!!! You sound like the biggest opinionated scumbag i have ever heard...WOW..what a jackass!
My family was established here in the 1800's....i say this because i am proud....and there are many Islanders that have been here for years...not necessarily since the 1800's but are considered Islanders... so, i don't know who you are and what you're talking about and don't want to because you sound like a real ass..my Friends and friends of my family have never stabbed us in the back ...so you must just be the type to attract the same type of person that you yourself are...Booze, Pot and Beer...lol..i think you're talking about the summer people who come to this Island and think it's resort...dump their kids off and let them run like crazys...
Yes we have a small community that likes to hang out together...just because you are Not a part of it..doesn't mean you have to be jealous...we do stick together when it counts...ask anyone...
There are many, many islanders that have only been here for 20 years, give or take....so you are the one with the attitude...we are a Strong, Proud Community, and we stand together in a crisis..if you don't know that then you are Not an Islander...
You sound like a lonely bitter person with No friends...and i feel sorry for you!!!
Ice is moving on Middle Channel!
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