First ship of the year has arrived

Thunder Bay's shipping season is officially kicking off with the arrival of the Ojibway this morning. The captain and chief engineer of the vessel will be presented with a top hat in a ceremony a the Port Authority office at noon. The annual honour is bestowed on the first arrival of the year. The Ojibway is in port to pick up a load of canola. Three other vessels are expected to come in today. A pair of U.S. Coast Guard ice-breakers have been helping to clear the way to the port.