USA: Great Lakes Shipyard Secures M/V Pelee Islander’s Drydocking Contract

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has awarded a contract for the 5-year drydocking of the M/V Pelee Islander to Great Lakes Shipyard, Cleveland, Ohio.

The Pelee Islander arrived at Great Lakes Shipyard in early April and will be hauled-out using the Shipyard’s new 700 metric ton Marine Travelift. Work will include hull inspection and painting; propeller, shaft, and rudder inspection; steel work; and other routine maintenance.

The M/V Pelee Islander is a passenger ferry operated by Owen Sound Transportation Company, an Agency of the Province of Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, and provides transportation services between Kingsville, Leamington, Ontario; Pelee Island, Ontario; and Sandusky, Ohio. The contract for repairs of the M/V Pelee Islander marks the second Canadian-flag vessel repair project at Great Lakes Shipyard.

Great Lakes Shipyard, a division of The Great Lakes Towing Company, operates a full-service shipyard specializing in new construction, repairs, and modifications of all types of vessels and barges. The Shipyard is currently undergoing a major expansion that includes a new state-ofthe- art 770-ton Marine Travelift; the largest on the Great Lakes, second largest in the Western Hemisphere, and the third largest in the World.

The Shipyard’s recently completed projects include winter layup, steel work and winch installation on McKeil Marine’s tug and barge John Spence and Niagara Spirit, the Shipyard’s first repair contract with a Canadian flag operator, and the construction and delivery of a work boat for the Port of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The company is currently under contracts with SEACOR Holdings, Inc for the construction of two state-of-the-art ASD tractor tugs.

In addition to the Shipyard, The Great Lakes Towing Company operates the largest fleet of tugs on the Great Lakes serving 40 ports and has been in continuous business since 1899.

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Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, May 01, 2012; Image:  thegreatlakesgroup