10,000 safe crossings: ‘A testament to safety unlike any other’

In the early hours of March 6, 2026, the Enbridge Straits Maritime Operations Center (ESMOC) hailed its 10,000th vessel as it continued to protect Great Lakes waters in Michigan’s Straits of Mackinac: “Algoma Niagara, good morning . . . be advised of twin subsurface oil pipelines on the sea floor. Please confirm your vessel anchors are secured, over.” Came the reply: “Our anchors are secure.” Until Enbridge’s Great Lakes Tunnel is built, the ESMOC protects Line 5 at the Straits from anchor strikes via radar, video cameras and radio communication with every passing vessel by a dedicated round-the-clock watch staff. “We stand up an incredible, state-of-the art facility. We man it 24/7 and we don’t miss one vessel,” says Erica Fink, Enbridge’s operations manager for northern Michigan. “Here we are celebrating 10,000 safe crossings, and that’s a testament to safety unlike any other.”