Cpt. Mark Rice of the Spartan, welcomed in Goderich's Top Hat ceremony.
The Town of Goderich has welcomed the first ship into its harbour for the 2024 season.
The Spartan — an articulated tug-barge — arrived Sunday at the Port of Goderich, captained by Mark Rice.
Captain Rice received and signed the ceremonial top hat in the town’s annual Top Hat ceremony, recognizing the arrival of the first ship of the season.
Being delivered on the Spartan is a load of Calcium Chloride 2, known as liquid salt, which is used in mining operations.
Rice says he previously worked in the open ocean, before moving to the Great Lakes, which present their own challenges.
“You’re in a confined area,” Rice tells Country 104.9 News.
“Even though you have plenty of water, if you’re in a storm on the ocean, you ride it out… where, on the Great Lakes, you run out of room.”
Rice says keeping an eye on the weather is the key to success.
“There’s good weather reports from Canada and the U-S, and you live with that.”
Goderich’s Top Hat ceremony involves a signing of the ceremonial top hat by the first captain to arrive in the harbour, who is then treated to a breakfast by town hall officials.