Downbound Discussions

Algoma's Alan Wooller takes the hard-hitting questions of two young ship lovers - Ivan and Kam.

We talk with Mayor Bill Steele of Port Colborne about the Lock 8 opening ceremony, plus we check in with Ivan for another segment of Ivan's Insights.

A full episode with Know Your Ships publisher, Roger LeLievre, and US Seaway Administrator Adam Tindall-Schlicht. Both give insight into the 65th anniversary - of the book and the Seaway.

Ron Clapp joins the podcast to discuss the Villa restoration and Ivan provides his insights on Lemoyne.

His career spans more than 30 years on the Great Lakes and he is known as the last Captain of the Edward L Ryerson. Captain Eric Treece shares a look back at his time on the historic ship as well as his passion for photography and life now as a ship pilot.

Ivan Schell makes his podcast debut with his new segment, Ivan's Insights, brought to you by Canada Steamship Lines.

We had the opportunity to speak with Wayne Coombes with Friends of SS Keewatin following the recent announcement that the Titanic-era cruise ship will soon leave it's home in Port McNicoll, Ontario after being donated by Skyline Investments to the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes in Kingston, Ontario. The 300'+ iconic vessel has been cared for by Friends of Keewatin and now they will be left empty-handed. Coombs explains some of the history of the ship, as well as what is next in the transition process.

Hear from the Executive Director of Aquatarium, a regional attraction in the heart of downtown Brockville, Ontario. New exhibits on display in 2023, including one that partners the Aquatarium with Port of Johnstown to highlight the operations of the port and how goods are moved. 

In this episode we chat with NOAA Commander Matthew Jaskoski of the Thomas Jefferson, which spent April-early October on the Great Lakes in 2022, performing sonar research of the lake beds in Lake Erie and Ontario. The Commander tells us about that mission and his ship.

In this episode we connect with Emily Hine, rather newly appointed Executive Director of Brigs Youth Sail Training, operators of the tall ships Playfair and Pathfinder. She tells us about their programming and what kids encounter during summer sailing excursions.