Maritime milestones

In August, the U.S. Coast Guard ice-breaker Mackinaw celebrated her 55th year in the same home port of Cheboygan, Mich. The Mackinaw, first stationed there in 1944, is essential to early- and late-season navigation on the Great Lakes while also assisting in search-and-rescue missions. She recently underwent a facelift at Superior's Fraser Shipyards, Inc., during an annual drydocking, and is expected to stay operational until a replacement vessel enters service in 2006.

The Vista Fleet, a Duluth harbor excursion business started in 1959 (the same year the St. Lawrence Seaway opened), celebrated its 40th anniversary in September. The event was also marked by the arrival of the Fleet's five millionth passenger. The Fleet's Vista King and Vista Star each offer narrated sightseeing cruises of the Duluth-Superior Harbor, as well as luncheon, dinner and moonlight cruises for up to 300 passengers.

Lake Superior Magazine, an international bimonthly headquartered in Duluth and dedicated to exploring, celebrating and protecting the Lake, celebrated its 20th anniversary on July 15. The publication portrays the beauty and majesty of the Lake (which holds 10 percent of the world's surface fresh water) and its region.

Coinciding with the Seaway's 40th anniversary, Port Director Davis Helberg's "Harbor Line" column in the last issue identified people who have worked continuously on the Duluth-Superior waterfront from 1959 through today. He overlooked Bob Picard of International Longshoremen's Association Local 1037, Superior, who started on the docks in 1958 and has logged more work-hours then any other ILA member in the harbor. Two other Local 1037 members retired in early 1999 after 40-plus years of service: Jim Lancour and Jim Dembroski.