It never ceases to amaze me how these big freighters can navigate the Cuyahoga.

John D. Leitch entering Duluth Harbor, June 2025

While enjoying some patio beers, snapped these pics of this behemoth

Location: Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio

Vibe with Mike (YouTube channel) takes you behind the scenes for a rare up-close look at the American Century as the 1,000-foot Great Lakes ship arrives at the Pipeline Dock in the Duluth-Superior Harbor.

Experience what it's like to stand just feet from one of the largest ships on the Great Lakes as crew members come ashore to secure the vessel. Watch the lines being handled, see the teamwork required to safely tie up a 1,000-foot ship, and get an incredible perspective of just how massive the American Century really is.

You'll also get an up-close look at the towering boarding ladder used to reach the deck, giving you an appreciation for the incredible scale of these ships and the work the crew performs at every arrival.

If you've ever wondered how a 1,000-foot Great Lakes ship is secured after arriving at the dock or wanted to experience the arrival from the crew's perspective, this behind-the-scenes video gives you a rare firsthand look.

A hazey July afternoon, saw the Canadian coastguard ship Samuel Risley heading down the St Clair river on its way to Windsor

Vibe with Mike (YouTube channel) takes you behind the scenes aboard the Indiana Harbor for a rare look inside one of the most overlooked areas of a 1,000-foot Great Lakes ship.

Have you ever noticed the small enclosed shelter at the very front of these massive ships and wondered what it's used for? In this video, you'll go inside the area the crew refers to as the crow's nest, see how sailors access it, and experience what it looks like while the ship is underway on Lake Superior.

You'll learn why this sheltered space is used during challenging weather, enjoy the unique view from inside, and discover a part of the ship that very few people ever have the opportunity to experience aboard a working Great Lakes ship.

If you've ever been curious about the hidden spaces aboard a 1,000-foot Great Lakes ship, this behind-the-scenes tour gives you a rare firsthand look inside one of the vessel's most interesting locations.

On July 16, 2026, the Clyde S. VanEnkevort and Erie Trader arrived in Duluth through some of the densest wildfire smoke many longtime residents say they have ever witnessed.

Numerous elderly Duluth residents, including people in their 80s and families who have lived in the city for generations, described it as possibly the smokiest day in Duluth history. Some said they had never experienced anything remotely like it. The smoke was so thick across the Duluth-Superior Harbor that it looked more like heavy fog, dramatically reducing visibility and nearly swallowing the vessel as it arrived.

Despite official warnings advising people to limit outdoor activity and remain inside because of the hazardous air quality, a small group of die-hard ship watchers still lined the pier to witness the arrival. This video captures an unprecedented view of the Clyde S. VanEnkevort and Erie Trader moving through a harbor almost completely consumed by wildfire smoke.

You will see the vessel gradually emerge through the dense haze, the crew continuing their work in extremely smoky conditions, and a side of the Duluth Harbor that even lifelong residents say they have never seen before.

Enjoy this remarkable Great Lakes vessel arrival, but please take the dangerous conditions seriously. Anyone affected by the wildfire smoke should follow official air-quality guidance, avoid unnecessary outdoor activity, and stay indoors whenever possible.

Vibe with Mike (YouTube channel) takes you behind the scenes aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw for a rare look inside one of the most famous ships on the Great Lakes.

Have you ever wondered what the crew eats aboard a Coast Guard icebreaker or what the massive engine room looks like below deck? In this video, you'll see what Coast Guard members are eating and drinking while on board before heading deep inside the ship for a full tour of the powerful engine room.

Explore the giant engines, machinery, and inner workings that power the Mackinaw through demanding Great Lakes icebreaking missions. From everyday life aboard the ship to the engineering that keeps this legendary icebreaker moving, this behind-the-scenes tour offers a perspective that very few people ever get to experience.

If you've ever been curious about life aboard a Great Lakes Coast Guard icebreaker, this video gives you a rare firsthand look at both the crew's daily routine and the incredible machinery that keeps the Mackinaw operating.

The McAsphalt Advantage was delivered in 2024, she is 459ft in length and is owned by McAsphalt Marine Transportation Ltd. She is capable of carrying 12,000 tons of heated liquid bitumen which is the equivalent of 275 truckloads or just over 24,000,000 pounds.

The SS Edward L. Ryerson is a historic Great Lakes Bulk Freighter built in the 1960. Known as the “Fast Eddie”, she holds a status as one of the last straight-deckers without a self-unloading boom and the last steam-powered freighter built on the lakes.

In my opinion the best-looking and most beautiful Great Lakes Freighter.

A video I posted to YouTube a few weeks ago.

Have you ever wondered how the crew prepares for a fire aboard a 1,000-foot Great Lakes ship while it's crossing Lake Superior?

Vibe with Mike (YouTube channel) takes you behind the scenes aboard the Indiana Harbor during a real onboard fire drill as the ship makes its voyage across Lake Superior. This rare firsthand look puts you right in the middle of the action as the crew prepares for one of the most serious emergencies they could ever face.

Watch as crew members quickly suit up in full firefighting gear, deploy fire hoses, prepare emergency equipment, and carry out the drill exactly as they would if an actual fire broke out aboard the ship. You'll also experience what it feels like to be on board a working 1,000-foot Great Lakes ship while it's underway across Lake Superior, giving you a unique behind-the-scenes perspective that very few people ever get to witness.

Whether you're fascinated by Great Lakes ships, maritime operations, or simply curious about how these incredible vessels prepare for emergencies, this is a rare opportunity to see the professionalism, teamwork, and preparation that help keep every crew member safe.

Snapped this on my way to Mackinac Island.

On July 12, 2026, the BBC Kolding arrived in Duluth, Minnesota just before sunset, drawing a large crowd eager to watch one of the harbor’s most anticipated ocean ship arrivals.
Filmed live on the Duluth Ship Cam at Canal Park, this video captures much more than just the arrival. Listen to the complete radio communications between the ship’s captain and the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge operator as the vessel approaches the bridge. Once inside the harbor, you’ll also hear the captain coordinate directly with the tugboat captain as they work together to safely position the ship.
The beautiful evening light highlights the BBC Kolding’s striking blue and yellow colors as it passes beneath the fully raised Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge before entering the harbor from Lake Superior. It’s a rare behind-the-scenes look at the communication, teamwork, and precision required to safely bring an ocean ship into the Port of Duluth.
If you’ve ever wondered what captains, bridge operators, and tugboat crews are saying during a ship arrival in Duluth, this video gives you the opportunity to hear those real conversations while watching the entire operation unfold.

Does anyone know how to watch the GL ship recycling episode? It’s on Nat Geo UK