Ohio News - The Waterways Journal

Ohio DOT Adopts New State Maritime Plan

January 9, 2026

With the adoption of an official maritime plan, the state of Ohio plans to leverage its waterways for economic development. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) adopted the Ohio Maritime… Read More

A Roundup Of D.C. News Affecting The Waterways Washington Waves

A Roundup Of D.C. News Affecting The Waterways

February 28, 2025

Washington, D.C.—Exceeding expectations, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) managed to steer a budget resolution through his chamber by a vote of 217 to 215. Now comes the hard… Read More

TDOT Christens Mv. Summitt, Named After Late Coach The mv. Summitt, paired with the deck barge Volunteer, makes its way across the Tennessee River at Mile 78.3 as part of the Benton-Houston Ferry service. McGinnis Inc. built the 800 hp. boat at its Sheridan Shipyard in South Point, Ohio. It is being operated by River Marine Services for the Tennessee Department of Transportation, which owns it. (Photo by Shelley Byrne)

The mv. Summitt, paired with the deck barge Volunteer, makes its way across the Tennessee River at Mile 78.3 as part of the Benton-Houston Ferry service. McGinnis Inc. built the 800 hp. boat at its Sheridan Shipyard in South Point, Ohio. It is being operated by River Marine Services for the Tennessee Department of Transportation, which owns it. (Photo by Shelley Byrne)

TDOT Christens Mv. Summitt, Named After Late Coach

January 3, 2025

A swinging bottle of orange soda, rather than champagne, christened the new Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) ferryboat mv. Summitt. Orange is the color associated with the University… Read More

Living Lands & Waters Pulls 52 Cars From Pittsburgh Rivers LLW 002

Living Lands & Waters Pulls 52 Cars From Pittsburgh Rivers

November 8, 2024

The sight along the Pittsburgh riverfront in August was anything but pretty. In just two-and-a-half days, Living Lands & Waters (LL&W) removed an estimated 52 vehicles from the Monongahela and… Read More

A Five Score And Ten Years Old Treasure One of the earliest known photos of the Idlewild after construction at the Rees shipyard. (Photo discovered by artist and model builder John Fryant)

One of the earliest known photos of the Idlewild after construction at the Rees shipyard. (Photo discovered by artist and model builder John Fryant)

A Five Score And Ten Years Old Treasure

October 11, 2024

The James Rees and Sons Company of Pittsburgh began building river craft in the late 1870s. They turned out a wide range of vessels including packets, towboats, snag boats… Read More

Tow Sizes, Drafts Reduced As Lower Miss Falls The Dredge Hurley works earlier this summer near Baton Rouge, La. (Photo courtesy of the New Orleans Engineer District)

The Dredge Hurley works earlier this summer near Baton Rouge, La. (Photo courtesy of the New Orleans Engineer District)

Tow Sizes, Drafts Reduced As Lower Miss Falls

September 6, 2024

With draft and tow sizes already cut on the Lower Mississippi and little rain in the forecast, the inland navigation industry is preparing for a low-water season that could hit… Read More

Valley Gem To Launch Additional Passenger Cruise Vessel Publicity photo from Valley Gem Sternwheeler showing the recently added Major/Riviera on the left and the Valley Gem on the right.

Publicity photo from Valley Gem Sternwheeler showing the recently added Major/Riviera on the left and the Valley Gem on the right.

Valley Gem To Launch Additional Passenger Cruise Vessel

May 21, 2024

Valley Gem Sternwheeler will launch a second vessel into passenger service May 25 in Marietta, Ohio. The Major/Riviera is a combination unit made of the historic towboat Major… Read More

Ohio Grants Will Help Improve Community Waterfronts Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine speaks to local media on May 6 after announcing a $152 million plan for riverfront developments and downtown revitalization as part of Ohio’s Wonderful Waterfronts Initiative. He announced the program at the former Ohio River Lock and Dam 27 at Mile 301.0. (Photo by Jim Ross)

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine speaks to local media on May 6 after announcing a $152 million plan for riverfront developments and downtown revitalization as part of Ohio’s Wonderful Waterfronts Initiative. He announced the program at the former Ohio River Lock and Dam 27 at Mile 301.0. (Photo by Jim Ross)

Ohio Grants Will Help Improve Community Waterfronts

May 21, 2024

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine visited the park at the site of the former Ohio River Lock and Dam 27 on May 6 to announce the list of 19 communities… Read More

Ohio Shipyard Increases Workforce, Begins New-Build Project The hull for a boat that will be used for a ferry on the Tennessee River is under construction in the fabrication shop at Sheridan Shipyard, South Point, Ohio. (Photo courtesy of McGinnis Inc.)

The hull for a boat that will be used for a ferry on the Tennessee River is under construction in the fabrication shop at Sheridan Shipyard, South Point, Ohio. (Photo courtesy of McGinnis Inc.)

Ohio Shipyard Increases Workforce, Begins New-Build Project

March 15, 2024

McGinnis Inc. has more than doubled its workforce at its Sheridan Shipyard in South Point, Ohio, with work underway on its first new-build project in four years. McGinnis… Read More

Mountwest Maritime Academy Expands To Ohio Mountwest Maritime Academy cut the ribbon on its new facility at the Swiss Hills Innovation and Career Center in Woodsfield, Ohio. The main campus is in Huntington, W.Va. (Photo courtesy of Mountwest Maritime Academy.)

Mountwest Maritime Academy cut the ribbon on its new facility at the Swiss Hills Innovation and Career Center in Woodsfield, Ohio. The main campus is in Huntington, W.Va. (Photo courtesy of Mountwest Maritime Academy.)

Mountwest Maritime Academy Expands To Ohio

June 8, 2023

Mountwest Maritime Academy has opened a second training site, in Woodsfield, Ohio, with a plan to introduce both high school students and adults to the maritime industry. The… Read More