u/GreatLakesShips

Most people who follow ships in Duluth, Minnesota know the famous Aerial Lift Bridge, but there is another historic bridge in the Duluth Superior Harbor that many Great Lakes ship watchers have never seen in action.

Vibe with Mike takes you out on the boat to experience the Grassy Point Swing Bridge from the water. We call the bridge operator over marine radio and request an opening, then watch as this incredible bridge built in 1912 actually swings open to allow us to pass through.

You’ll see the entire process from beginning to end, including the radio communication, the bridge beginning to move, the opening becoming large enough for our boat, and our passage through the bridge.

Along the way, we explore the history of the Grassy Point Swing Bridge and why it remains an important part of the interaction between marine and railroad traffic in the Duluth Superior Harbor. Unlike the Aerial Lift Bridge, this bridge rotates horizontally to clear the waterway.

For Great Lakes ship watchers, railroad fans, Duluth visitors, and anyone interested in the incredible infrastructure surrounding Lake Superior, this is a side of Duluth that many people never get to experience from the water.

On August 9, 2026, the oceangoing BBC Dubai arrived off Duluth and went to anchor before making its way into port.

While the vessel was waiting offshore, Vibe with Mike headed out by boat for a complete 360-degree tour around the BBC Dubai, giving you a close look at the ship from every side before its Duluth arrival.

You’ll see the BBC Dubai’s striking blue and white color scheme, the anchor down in Lake Superior, the pilot ladder hanging along the side, and the steering pole at the bow. From the water, you also get a great perspective of the size and design of this relatively new ocean vessel.

The BBC Dubai was built in 2024 and is expected to come into Duluth to offload project cargo that traveled from Vietnam.

Before it reaches the dock, this video gives you the chance to circle the entire vessel while it sits at anchor on Lake Superior and see details that are much harder to appreciate from shore.

On the afternoon of August 7, 2026, the James L. Oberstar arrived in Duluth, Minnesota, to unload limestone. Video provided by Duluth Ship Cam at Canal Park Facebook.

As the old-school Great Lakes laker entered the Duluth Ship Canal, it sounded a powerful horn salute for the tourists and ship watchers gathered along Canal Park on a beautiful Friday afternoon.

The arrival gives you a great look at the James L. Oberstar moving through the canal, with several crew members visible out on deck as the ship makes its way into Duluth.

For anyone who enjoys classic Great Lakes ships, strong horn salutes, Lake Superior, and Duluth ship arrivals, this is a great look at the James L. Oberstar arriving in the city today.

Vibe with Mike on YouTube brings you behind the scenes aboard the 1,000-foot Indiana Harbor and inside the personal rooms of two crew members to see exactly how they live while working on a Great Lakes ship.

One room belongs to a mate, and the other belongs to the deck boss. Both crew members take you inside, explain how they have their rooms arranged, and show the personal touches that make each space feel like home while they are aboard the ship.

You will see a 50-inch flat-screen television mounted on the wall with DIRECTV, full internet access through Starlink, a refrigerator inside the room, a private bathroom, storage space, and the other comforts available aboard the Indiana Harbor.

Rather than looking at empty cabins, you will hear directly from the crew members as they show you their personal spaces and talk about what it is like living aboard a working 1,000-foot Great Lakes ship.

This is a personal behind-the-scenes look at everyday crew life aboard the Indiana Harbor and an area most people never get to experience.

Just after noon on August 4, 2026, the oceangoing ship POLSTEAM INSKO arrived in Duluth, Minnesota, as a huge crowd lined the Duluth Ship Canal piers to watch its slow passage beneath the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge.

The slow approach gave everyone along the waterfront a clear view of the ship’s recognizable Polsteam color scheme and four large cargo cranes. Beautiful summer weather made it a perfect afternoon for tourists and ship watchers to gather in Canal Park for the arrival.

POLSTEAM INSKO was last in Duluth in November 2025. This arrival marked the first Polsteam ship of the 2026–2027 Duluth shipping season, bringing the Polish-owned ocean vessel back to load wheat for delivery to an overseas port.

The video also includes live marine radio communication as the captain coordinates the bridge lift and arrival timeline with the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge. You will hear another vessel report its position near the large ocean ship, the Vista Star advise the bridge that it will follow POLSTEAM INSKO through the canal, and the captain communicate with the tug Missouri, which was assisting the ship toward its loading dock.

From the huge Duluth crowd and slow canal passage to the bridge communications and tugboat assistance, this video captures an exciting first-of-the-season Polsteam arrival on Lake Superior.

During the early evening of July 30, 2026, the 1,000-foot Walter J. McCarthy Jr. was departing via the Duluth Entry and heading out onto Lake Superior when Vibe with Mike approached from his pontoon.

As Mike came up close alongside the massive Great Lakes ship, Captain Ben stepped outside aboard the Walter J. McCarthy Jr. to say hello. The two friends talked across the water, with Mike on his pontoon and Captain Ben high above aboard the thousand-footer.

Filmed just beyond the Duluth Ship Canal piers, the close boat-level perspective shows how enormous the Walter J. McCarthy Jr. looks from the water. It also captures a personal moment between Vibe with Mike and the captain as the ship departs Duluth for Lake Superior.

The Duluth Ship Cam at Canal Park captured a chaotic situation unfolding in a nearby parking lot, only a few hundred feet from the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge. Recorded on the night of July 30th, 2026.

The video appears to show an individual physically resisting or struggling with police before being taken into custody. It is currently unknown what started the incident or what led up to the confrontation.

The situation occurred close enough to the Duluth Ship Canal to be visible on the live camera as officers responded and brought the incident under control.

Watch the Duluth Ship Cam at Canal Park live here: https://www.youtube.com/live/H6cm5Hf-yFY?is=kPHybR18vuhxgTUk

Hundreds of people gathered along the Duluth waterfront after the James R. Barker unexpectedly changed course and approached the Duluth Ship Canal.

The 1,000-foot Great Lakes ship had originally been expected to load in Two Harbors, but instead headed toward Duluth on its way to Fraser Shipyards in Superior, Wisconsin. The unexpected movement quickly drew tourists and ship watchers to Canal Park.

As the James R. Barker approached the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge, it sounded a powerful salute and received a return salute from the bridge.

This Vibe with Mike YouTube channel live stream, recorded on July 26, 2026, captures the ship arriving from Lake Superior, entering the Duluth Ship Canal, and passing beneath the Aerial Lift Bridge.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Have you ever wondered what it's like to ride aboard a Great Lakes Coast Guard icebreaker during a real icebreaking mission?

Vibe with Mike (YouTube channel) takes you aboard the USCGC Spar during an active icebreaking mission in Duluth Harbor, giving you a rare firsthand look from the deck of the cutter as it breaks ice near Fraser Shipyards.

Watch the Spar push through the ice while seeing the Edward L. Ryerson, Lee A. Tregurtha, John J. Boland, and Michipicoten were surrounded by ice during the operation. You'll experience what it's like to be on board as the cutter carries out one of the most important winter missions on the Great Lakes.

If you've ever been curious about what it's like aboard a Great Lakes Coast Guard icebreaker during a real mission, this short behind-the-scenes clip gives you a rare perspective that very few people ever get to experience.

Have you ever wondered how the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge works or what it's like to go inside one of the most famous bridges on the Great Lakes?

Vibe with Mike (YouTube channel) takes you behind the scenes for a rare tour inside the iconic Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge. Climb 135 feet above the Duluth Ship Canal, see how the bridge is operated, watch the machinery in action, and learn how the bridge safely raises and lowers for passing ships.

As the American Mariner arrives from Lake Superior, you'll watch the bridge lift from the operator's perspective, hear the ship's horn echo through the harbor, look straight down as the vessel passes beneath the bridge, and then watch the entire bridge return to the roadway after the transit is complete.

If you've ever wanted to know how the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge works or what it's like to experience a Great Lakes ship arrival from inside the bridge itself, this is one behind-the-scenes tour you won't want to miss.

Have you ever wondered what it's really like to stay aboard a 1,000-foot Great Lakes ship while it's underway on Lake Superior?

Vibe with Mike (on YouTube) takes you inside the guest suite aboard the Indiana Harbor, giving you a rare behind-the-scenes look at what life is like while the ship makes its voyage across Lake Superior.

Explore every part of the suite, including the living room, bedroom, bathroom, shower, and the private hatch that opens onto the top of the superstructure, where you'll enjoy an incredible view overlooking the stern as the ship travels across Lake Superior.

You'll also see what the accommodations are really like, what the water pressure is like, and how comfortable the guest suite is aboard a working 1,000-foot Great Lakes ship while it's underway.

If you've ever wondered what it's like to stay aboard a working 1,000-foot Great Lakes ship, this rare behind-the-scenes tour gives you an authentic look inside one of the most unique guest accommodations on the Great Lakes.

Ever wondered what the engine room of a 1,000-foot Great Lakes ship looks like while it's underway on Lake Superior?

Vibe with Mike takes you on one of the most complete behind-the-scenes engine room tours ever filmed aboard the 1,000-foot Indiana Harbor.

While the ship is underway on Lake Superior, you'll explore every major level of the engine room, including the massive main engines, generators, pumps, control systems, and the machinery that powers one of the largest ships on the Great Lakes. Unlike a tour in port, you'll see the equipment operating as the ship makes its voyage across Lake Superior.

If you've ever wanted to see what it's really like inside the engine room of a working 1,000-foot Great Lakes ship, this video gives you a rare behind-the-scenes look at areas that very few people ever get to experience.

Have you ever wondered how long it takes to walk from the stern all the way to the bow of a 1,000-foot Great Lakes ship? Or how many steps does it take to get there?

Vibe with Mike had the rare opportunity to answer both questions while aboard the 1,000-foot American Century.

In this video, Mike walks the entire length of the ship from the stern to the bow, counts every step, and times the journey so you can experience just how massive these incredible Great Lakes ships really are. It's a fun behind-the-scenes look that puts the size of a 1,000-foot ship into perspective in a way most people have never seen.

If you've ever wondered how long it takes to walk the length of a 1,000-foot Great Lakes ship or how many steps it takes to reach the bow, you'll finally have the answer.