Lake Carriers' Association

In March 2012 the U.S. Coast Guard issued regulations governing the discharge of ballast water in U.S. waters. Specific to the Great Lakes, vessels entering from the oceans will be required to install ballast water treatments systems, some as soon [...] Continue reading →

Each foot of available draft means the ship is leaving behind cargo. The largest lakers forfeit almost 3,200 tons of cargo of each foot of reduced draft.

Years of inadequate funding for dredging have left an estimated 18-plus million cubic [...] Continue reading →

The Jones Act (Section 27, Merchant Marine Act, 1920) requires cargo moving between U. S. ports be carried in vessels that are U. S.-crewed, -built and -owned. Although the law dates from 1920, foreign-flag vessels have been barred from domestic [...] Continue reading →

The Water Resources Development Act of 2007 directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to build a second Poe-sized lock at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, at full Federal expense. The “Soo Locks” connect Lake Superior to the lower Great Lakes [...] Continue reading →

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter MACKINAW leads a U.S.-flag laker through heavy ice. Photo courtesy United States Coast Guard.

The U. S. Coast Guard is charged with breaking ice on U. S. waterways to meet the needs of commerce. To [...] Continue reading →