Your guide to freighter watching in southeast Michigan: What to know

Horsepower, booming horns and big waves off the Detroit River: For freighter watchers, it doesn't get much better than that.

Freighter watching, where people observe and photograph ships crossing waterways, has a loyal following in Detroit and Windsor, thanks to the Detroit River bordering both cities.

Marty Flore's love of freighters on open water started when he was a teenager and his dad sailed the Great Lakes.

"I've even got to go on some freighters with him," said Flore, 69, of Windsor.

That long ago experience ultimately led Flore to organize in 2019 the Detroit River Freighters , a Facebook group of nearly 3,000 boat nerds that share photos of ships they find on the Detroit River and meet up when a unique ship comes to town.

The group, which includes members from Canada and Michigan, has become a place where people along the Detroit River can easily come together to share their passion for big ships.

"We were over there in Detroit a few weeks ago. You guys got the RiverWalk now and you can see everything from there," Flore said.

Whether you're new to freighter watching or just looking for some new tips, here's what metro Detroit has to offer:

How to track ships

The first step to shipwatching is using a ship traffic website. This ensures you know what ships are close and where to get the best view.

To check freighter travel in Michigan, go to the MarineTraffic website . This automatic identification system tracks ships globally and tells you where ships are coming from, where they're going and at what speed.

What to look for

Look for differences between the ships, including the ship's origin, cargo and speed. Certain vessels are made to transport unique and special cargo. If that's more than you care to know, skip the details and just watch the ship calmly glide across the water.

Where to watch freighters in southeast Michigan

There are many areas to spot a freighter on the Detroit River. Here are three popular ones:

• Riverside Park: The 29-acre park on Detroit's southwest riverfront is equipped with soccer fields, picnic areas and a basketball court. It's a great location for catching freighters. Riverside Park is located at 3085 W. Jefferson Ave.
• William Livingstone Memorial Light/Belle Isle: While visitors of Belle Isle cannot access the inside of William Livingstone Memorial Light , you can see the freighters pass behind the lighthouse off the shore. Belle Isle is located at 2 Inselruhe Ave. in Detroit.
• Belanger Park: The 9.5-acre park located at 1 Belanger Park Drive in River Rouge is a destination for freight watchers to watch ships travel across the Detroit River. The park has a waterfront gazebo, two picnic pavilions, a walking path and a play area for children. Visitors can see freighters from the boardwalk .

For shipwatchers who don't want to leave their home, the Detroit Historical Society allows viewers to watch freighters pass on the Detroit River using the RiverCam . The camera is mounted on the roof of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum and streams 24/7 live on YouTube.

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Jalen Williams is a reporting intern at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com .

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Your guide to freighter watching in southeast Michigan: What to know