Just five days after a 43-foot tugboat began leaking oil, putting an abrupt halt to the Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Swim, a new escort boat has been secured to help finish the final stages of the event.
The leak was not the only issue that threatened the event’s continuation. For the second time during the 9th stage, a mechanical issue involving a guide boat occurred.
According to the Alpena News, the swim was paused when a boat battery began to die, sending the swimmers back to the Alpena Boat Harbor in Alpena, MI.
The new boat will now set off with the swimmers for the start of the 10th stage at the Sturgeon Point Lighthouse in Harrisville, MI, on August 14th, while some additional assistance is still requested.
Four swimmers complete each stage of the Memorial Swim, spanning 411 miles. The 17-stage swim commemorates the 50th anniversary of the sinking of S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald in 1975 (the largest boat to ever sink on the Great Lakes).
Swimmers take turns swimming for 30-minute intervals near the escort boats that accompany them.
The swim began Saturday, July 26th, and will conclude later this summer (sometime around August 28th) in Detroit, where they will deliver iron ore pellets from the wreckage to Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan.
What a brave and selfless tribute to the crew! Thank you, swimmers. I’m sure they were with you in spirit. Thank you. You inspire us to remember and, in an oft-exploitive era, remind us of what respect is.
I just finished Stage 9 leg today. Anyway the first boat was an amazing captain and co-pilot and did have a problem that potentially could be disastrous for the boat so they made a decision, and rightly so, that stage 8 was going to be their final leg.
Then Captain Dan from Alpena offered his boat boat and volunteered their time and services from Thunder Bay island, and our team of four starting yesterday morning made up the last mile and a half of stage 8. We were making awesome progress even with a lightning storm, waves and current, the battery on the boat was not charging properly. The captain ran the risk of the battery dying and we… Read more »
Sorry for the grammer and errors. I cant seem to edit now.
Btw stage 10 is on their way this morning, ising a sailboat for this stage.
The staff and team of swimmers are doing everything they can to make this journey!
Cheering you on here in Detroit. Be safe & as always, strong!
Stage 10 just completed their route! They had amazing water and weather. And a sail boat!
Seems like these events always have hiccups. But I know the swimmers are tough and used to adversity. We just keep trudging on!
Indeed! Tough and adaptable.
Me seeing the Alpena News and other Northeast Michigan towns mentioned by SwimSwam
With a crew and good captain well seasoned