Another sign that Minnesota's on the brink of winter: The final ocean-going vessel was set to leave the port of Duluth-Superior.
The ship, the BBC Italy, was scheduled to leave at 8 p.m., headed for the St. Lawrence Seaway, which is scheduled to close Dec. 30.
If the vessel departs on schedule and weather conditions stay favorable, port officials said the ship should arrive at the Welland Canal by Dec. 21 and the Montreal-Lake Ontario section of the Seaway two days later.
The final departure of what locals call "a saltie" (as opposed to "a laker") is an event marked every December in the Twin Ports.
The Antigua/Barbuda-flag vessel had arrived at Duluth's terminal on Sunday to unload wind turbine components (nacelles and hubs) manufactured in Denmark and Spain.
Lakers will continue to ply the Great Lakes until Jan. 15, when the locks at Sault Ste Marie, Mich., will close.
