Researchers from NOAA, the state of Michigan, and Ocean Exploration Trust have discovered an intact shipwreck resting hundreds of feet below the surface of Lake Huron. Located within NOAA’s Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the shipwreck has been identified as the sailing ship Ironton. Magnificently preserved by the cold freshwater of the Great Lakes, the 191-foot Ironton rests upright with its three masts still standing. Learn more about the discovery.
Whats Happening at Thunder Bay
High School Team Deploys Autonomous Mini Boat for Research
For the first time since 2019, students from StockbridgeHigh School’s InvenTeam were back in the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (TBNMS), this time deploying their mini boat, Fautasi, from the glass-bottom boat Lady Michigan on May 25, 2023. Four students [...]
ROV Competition Results
The results are in! Today in Alpena, 13 student teams competed in the MATE Great Lakes Regional ROV Competition, hosted by NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This annual event encourages students from all over the Great [...]
Sanctuary Wins Top Sustainable Tourism Award
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary was recognized for their exemplary contributions to sustainable tourism practices with a "Pure Award" at the Pure Michigan Governor's Conference in Tourism. More than 600 tourism representatives, economic development professionals, [...]
Researchers Discover Historic Shipwreck in Lake Huron
Researchers from NOAA, the state of Michigan, and Ocean Exploration Trust have discovered an intact shipwreck resting hundreds of feet below the surface of Lake Huron. Located within NOAA's Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the [...]
Thunder Bay’s Signature Events
Maritime Festival
ROV Competition
Film Festival
