A historic tugboat has been repurposed as a training platform for cadets at the Great Lakes Maritime Academy.
The 66-year-old, out-of-service vessel Robinson Bay was officially transferred to the academy during a ceremony at Eisenhower Lock on Monday. The vessel was donated by the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. (GLS).
GLS Administrator Adam Tindall-Schlicht said, “By placing this iconic tugboat in the hands of an institution dedicated to maritime excellence, we are ensuring that the Robinson Bay remains an active part of the Great Lakes maritime community, contributing to both its legacy and its future.”
The Great Lakes Maritime Academy, Traverse City, Mich., is one of six state-operated maritime academies in the U.S. It trains students to become licensed mariners, qualified to serve on ships of unlimited tonnage or horsepower. The academy plans to use Robinson Bay to offer hands-on training that prepares students for real-world careers in the maritime industry.
“This generous contribution from the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation provides our students with an invaluable tool for real-world learning," Superintendent Jerry Achenbach said. "The Robinson Bay will be a cornerstone of our training program, and we are honored to uphold its legacy.”
Built in 1958 by Christy Corp., Sturgeon Bay, Wis., the Robinson Bay served the GLS for decades. It was taken out of service after the agency acquired two new tugs, Seaway Guardian (built by Gulf Island Shipyards in 2020) and Seaway Trident (built by Washburn & Doughty in 2023). Earlier this year, GLS announced it was seeking a new home for the vessel.
"Today's transfer of the Robinson Bay tugboat represents a remarkable investment in the future of our maritime workforce and the legacy of the Great Lakes," Rear Adm.Jon P. Hickey, U.S. Coast Guard, said. "This vessel has served with distinction for over six decades, and now, in the hands of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, it will continue to shape and inspire the next generation of mariners.”
