(MASSENA, N.Y.) — The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. (GLS) on Friday completed the formal transfer of the tugboat Robinson Bay to Great Lakes Maritime Academy during a ceremony at Snell Lock.
The vessel, built in 1958, will now serve as a training platform for the academy, fostering the education of future mariners.
“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,” said GLS Administrator Adam Tindall-Schlicht. “We look forward to witnessing how the academy utilizes this vessel to promote stewardship and education on the Great Lakes.”
Great Lakes Maritime Academy, based in Traverse City, Mich., is committed to using Robinson Bay to provide hands-on training that prepares students for real-world careers in maritime.
“This generous contribution from the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. provides our students with an invaluable tool for real-world learning,” said academy Superintendent Jerry Achenbach. “The Robinson Bay will be a cornerstone of our training program, and we are honored to uphold its legacy.”
“(The) transfer of the Robinson Bay tugboat represents a remarkable investment in the future of our maritime workforce and the legacy of the Great Lakes,” said U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Jon P. Hickey. “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. The Coast Guard is proud to support initiatives like these that strengthen our maritime heritage, bolster workforce readiness, and foster a deep respect for the unique waterways we are all dedicated to preserving.”
The donation underscores GLS’s dedication to advancing maritime education and supporting the region’s economy through the preservation of Great Lakes resources and history.
– Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp.
