Todd McInturf / The Detroit News

American Spirit heads to Zug Island with a load of ore after passing under The Blue Water Bridge, Thursday, April 10, 2008. Fans of massive Great Lakes freighters and ships are self-proclaimed, "Boatnerds". They watch ships enter the mouth of the St. Clair River from Lake Huron as they pass under The Blue Water Bridge that allows vehicles to travel between Port Huron and Sarnia, Canada. Ships travel south into The Detroit River and into Lake Erie and vis-versa, among other points. Maritime fans use websites to track the progress of ships that are fresh out of drydock as the shipping season starts. Based out of Port Huron, a local group that runs Boatnerds.com has gatherings as they swap maritime stories, ship sighting and run a raffle for a trip on a Great Lakes freighter. They meet at The Great Lakes Maritime Center at 51 Water St. in Port Huron.