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First ship arrives in Thunder Bay

Superior port marks opening of 2017 shipping season

The Motor Vessel Manitoulin was the first vessel into the Port of Thunder Bay, March 24, to kick off the 2017 navigation season.

Owned and operated by Lower Lakes Towing, the Manitoulin’s arrival marked the earliest season opening for the western Lake Superior port since 2008.

The Thunder Bay Port Authority, City of Thunder Bay and the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce held its annual Opening of Navigation “Top Hat” Ceremony at Richardson’s main grain elevator where the ship was loading grain for Buffalo, N.Y.

The traditional top hat is bestowed to the captain of the first ship into port at the start of every season.

Captain John Carlson and Chief Engineer Dmitrii Pustoshkin received the honours this spring.