Hon. James L. Oberstar - Demonstrating Why Lake Boats (Usually) Don't Need Tugs

Here is the Hon. James L. Oberstar making her departure from the Graymont dock in Superior, Wisconsin on the morning of June 2, 2024. She had delivered a load of limestone and was headed outbound for Lake Superior, exiting through the Superior Entry on her way to Marquette, Michigan to take on a load of taconite pellets. On her way out, she passes by her fleet mate Mesabi Miner who had just arrived to take a delay at the Lakehead Pipeline dock.

It's not often that we capture the undocking of a ship up close, with lines being released and the ship pushing off. This is because there aren't many docks in the Twin Ports that allow us to get this vantage point. This particular undocking gave us an excellent demonstration of why these lake boats usually don't require assistance from tugboats. The powerful thrusters on board the Oberstar push her safely away from the dock in a matter of seconds. She can then back away from the dock and again use her thrusters to pivot, pointing her in the direction of the Superior entry. Like a lot of maneuvers we see from the lake boats in my videos, they make it look so easy.

I was hoping we might get a salute from the Oberstar as she made her exit onto Lake Superior, but it did not happen this time. The Oberstar seemed all business as she made her way out, rushing off to take on her next job. We've had quite a few visits from the Oberstar so far this season, which is always nice to see. She almost always hauls in limestone for either Hallett 5 or Graymont, then departs empty for Marquette. On some occasions she will load taconite in the Twin Ports or Two Harbors, but Marquette is her favorite port for loading. The ore run between Marquette and Detroit keeps her busy most of the time.

The 806-foot Hon. James L. Oberstar started service in 1959, originally named the Shenango II. From 1967 to 2011, she was named the Charles M. Beeghly as she sailed for Interlake Steamship. In 2011, she was named in honor of the former Congressman from Minnesota who supported Great Lakes shipping and the maritime industry in general. In 2008, her steam turbine was replaced with two Rolls-Royce Marine Bergen 6-cylinder B32:40L6P diesel engines each rated at 4,079 b.h.p. A scrubbing system is in place to remove particulates and pollutants from her exhaust. She can carry up to 31,000 tons of cargo in her five cargo holds. Those holds are accessed by 25 hatches. A gravity-fed conveyor system allows her to unload her own cargo, using a 250-foot unloading boom.
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