MV American Mariner Ship Overview and Key Facts

The MV American Mariner is a cargo ship that has been plying the waters for many years. It's a vital part of the maritime industry, transporting goods between ports.

The ship was built in 1978, making it a relatively old vessel. However, it has been well-maintained and continues to operate efficiently.

The American Mariner is a medium-sized ship, measuring 550 feet in length. That's a significant size, but not so large that it's unwieldy.

Its gross tonnage is 20,900, which is a measure of the ship's volume. This is a respectable size for a cargo ship, allowing it to carry a substantial cargo load.

The MV American Mariner has had its fair share of updates and changes in recent times. On April 26, 2025, the ship's ETA was changed to 2025/04/27 07:00 and then to 2025/04/28 02:00.

At 15:33 on the same day, the ship's position was reported as 47.46565° N, 87.54641° W in the Superior area. The speed was 12.2 knots, and the course was 292.1°.

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Here are the ship's status changes on April 26, 2025, in detail:

The MV American Mariner has a fascinating history that's worth exploring. The ship was built for American Steamship in 1980.

It was originally planned to be named Chicago, but the ship's name was later changed to American Mariner in honor of all American seafarers.

The MV American Mariner has been making its way through the Gulf of St-Lawrence, with various events recorded along its journey.

The ship's ETA was changed on April 26, 2025, with new estimated arrival times set for April 27 and 28.

The vessel's speed has remained relatively consistent, averaging 12.2 knots throughout its journey.

Here's a breakdown of the ship's position and course changes:

The ship has been under way using engine and has also been in default status at various points during its journey.

The MV American Mariner has been on quite a journey lately. The ship's last trip from CALCITE to SAULT STE MARIE took 7 hours and 35 minutes, covering a distance of 74.75 nautical miles.

Let's take a look at the ship's recent itinerary. One of its last trips was from DETROIT to CALCITE, which took a whopping 18 hours and 47 minutes to complete, traveling 220.18 nautical miles.

The ship's route has taken it to various ports, including DULUTH SUPERIOR, where it arrived on April 17th after departing from DETROIT on April 12th. The journey covered a distance of 670.27 nautical miles.

Here are the ship's last few trips in a concise table:

The ship has been to several ports in the region, including MARQUETTE, where it arrived on April 20th after departing from SAULT STE MARIE on April 19th.

The ACBL Mariner is a powerhouse on the Mississippi River, boasting an impressive 11,000 horsepower. It's a game-changer for river operations.

This massive towboat can push up to 64 barges up the river at one time, making it a valuable asset for companies like ACBL. Its capabilities are unmatched, making it the most powerful and capable towboat ever built for operations on the Mississippi River.

The christening ceremony took place in New Orleans, with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry in attendance.

The St. Mary's River has been closed after the American Mariner struck a light tower, leaving the ship with damage just below the waterline.

Approximately 90% of the iron ore used to make steel in the US travels through the St. Mary's River each year.

The Coast Guard is investigating the damage and has deployed an underwater drone to further examine the ship's hull.

Several bulk carriers are anchored on both sides of the St. Mary's River, which is the only shipping connection between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. The waterway remains closed, and it's unclear when it will re-open.

Here's a list of the last port calls for the MV American Mariner:

The St. Mary's River remains closed after a bulk carrier, the American Mariner, collided with a light tower early Thursday morning. The Coast Guard has halted traffic on the river to investigate the damage.

The American Mariner sustained damage just below its waterline, but is currently stable and not in danger of sinking. Officials are hesitant to move the ship, fearing it could make the damage worse.

Here's an interesting read: Holland America Mariner Levels

Approximately 90% of the iron ore used to make steel in the US travels through the St. Mary's River each year. This makes the river a crucial shipping route.

The accident has caused significant delays, with shipping companies losing thousands of dollars per hour. Eric Peace, vice president of the Lake Carriers' Association, estimates that every hour the river is closed costs shipping companies thousands of dollars.

The Coast Guard has deployed an underwater drone to further examine the ship's hull and assess the damage. A Canadian Coast Guard cutter has also been sent to provide support in Munuscong Lake, where the ship remains anchored.

Here are some key facts about the St. Mary's River and the shipping season:

The St. Mary's River has been a popular route for ships in recent times, and understanding the last port calls can give us valuable insights into their journey.

The ship made a brief stop at SAULT STE MARIE on April 26, 2025, arriving at 00:00 and departing just 3 hours later at 03:18.

A longer stay was seen at CALCITE, where the ship arrived on April 24, 2025, at 03:29 and remained until April 25, 2025, at 16:25, a total of 1 day.

The ship also visited DETROIT on April 23, 2025, spending a mere 3 hours in port, arriving at 05:09 and departing at 08:42.

In contrast, the ship's stay in SAULT STE MARIE on April 20, 2025, was even shorter, with a total time of 1 hour, arriving at 18:16 and departing at 20:10.

The ship's longest stop was at DULUTH SUPERIOR, where it spent 11 hours, arriving at 15:53 and departing at 03:19 on the following day.

A visit to BUFFALO on April 9, 2025, saw the ship stay for 2 days, arriving at 21:37 and departing at 22:01 on April 11, 2025.

Let's take a closer look at the last port calls in the table below:

The Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie officially closed for seasonal repairs early Thursday morning, marking the end of the Great Lakes navigation season.

The American Mariner was the last ship to make it through the locks, passing through just after 4 a.m. Thursday, bound for Buffalo with a cargo of grain.

Over 8,500 vessels went through the locks this shipping season, a notable figure considering the challenges posed by the cold climate and physical site constraints.

Engineers will now focus on making crucial upgrades and repairs to the Soo Locks, including repairing electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical systems, and removing lead paint.

A new temporary panel bridge will be installed across the Poe Lock to aid in moving materials to the job sites, and some anchorage components on the Poe Lock will be replaced.

Some of these components date back to 1969, when the Poe Lock was first commissioned.