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
Spencer William Cootware
Alpena, MI. Our community sadly lost an important member of the Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary on July 25, 2022. With sadness, we announce the unexpected passing of Captain Spencer W. Cootware of [...]
Festival of Sail
TALL SHIPS ARE COMING! And a REALLY BIG Rubber Duck Majestic Ships Set Sail for Alpena July 15-17, 2022 Tall Ships return to Alpena, July 15-17, 2022 for the Festival [...]
‘Tis the Giving Season
Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Offers Incentives to “Explore Your Sanctuary, Virtually!” Alpena, Mich. – The Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (FTBNMS) is in the giving spirit and offering a daily [...]
NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and Thunder Bay Honor Al Moe as Volunteer of the Year
ALPENA, MICH. – Each year NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) partners with the 14 sanctuaries across the country to recognize “extraordinary people who take time out of their lives for the betterment of [...]
Thunder Bay’s Signature Events
Festival of Sail
ROV Competition
Film Festival
