ShipSpotting.com Forum
Shipspotters all over the world => Shipping News and information => Topic started by: Paul Bradshaw on March 24, 2019, 10:08:36 PM
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???
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I believe that both vessels are there in support of transits through Erie and Ontario. Most coast guard vessels are in the upper lakes currently assisting as the season gets underway.
USCG Hollyhock, USCG Katmai Bay, USCG Biscayne Bay are all assisting in thick ice near Mackinac Island.
USCG Neah Bay is assisting in the St. Mary
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Griffon works Erie all winter normally. There must be extensive pack ice this year? No word in the media yet?
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DAILY GREAT LAKES and
SEAWAY SHIPPING NEWS
Severe ice conditions off Port Colborne keep ships in Welland Canal
3/27 - Port Colborne , ON
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Since this news posting came out, it appears that Griffon and Pierre Radisson were able to get things freed up enough to resume traffic, an most vessels seem to be on their way. Both Pierre Radisson and Griffon are currently sitting S/SE of Port Colborne, while Martha L Black is anchored in the seaway just south of Ogdensburg, probably as a
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Griffon now sits at the north end of Lake Ontario, and the Martha L. Black is transiting the Welland Canal as we speak, nearly to Port Colborne. I would assume that Martha L. Black will take the place of Pierre Radisson who
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It continues to be an unusual year with Martha Black and Griffon continuing to work the east end of the lake at the entrance to the St Lawrence River. I crossed on the ferry to Amherst Island Wednesday and it seemed normal.
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Pierre Raddison still on Erie, now joined by Amundsen and it appears that Griffon is on its way back. Must be trouble? I once read a lake bottom survey report which found that the ice can be forced to the bottom when large ridges form, and create gouging in the lake bottom.
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Des Groseilliers now on Lake Ontario. What a year!
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https://www.simcoe.com/news-story/9274493-coast-guard-s-latest-icebreaking-trip-to-midland-unsuccessful/
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Was away for a while traveling, but am back now and have seen all the unusual ice breaker activity! The past couple weeks have been very interesting;
CCG Samuel Risley went down with engine troubles, keeping her docked in Thunder Bay. This forced USCG Alder to spend a bit of time in Thunder Bay until Canadian reinforcements arrived. Those reinforcements included CCG Griffon and Pierre Radisson. (Unsure of exactly when and what order they arrived in.)
Within those couple weeks, several attempts were made by both US and Canadian coast guard to break out heavy ice in Georgian Bay to free a Canadian freighter that is trapped in Midland. The Pierre Radisson was the primary vessel to attempt to break through, which she attempted two times, unsuccessfully, before heading up towards Thunder Bay.
All of this movement caused CCG Amundsen and Des Groseilliers to take over in the lower lakes, and we even saw Martha L. Black here for a short period of time. Amundsen has since returned to Quebec and Des Groseilliers is still south of the Welland Canal.
Yesterday, the Pierre Radisson made a third attempt to break through Georgian Bay, which appears to have been unsuccessful.
As of today, the Samuel Risley appears to be back up and running, and joins Griffon in Thunder Bay operations. The rest of the focus has been placed on Whitefish Bay, north of the Soo, where USCG Mackinaw has been tirelessly assisting vessels for weeks. Among other vessels to assist in that area over the past two weeks include USCG Hollyhock, Biscayne Bay, and Katmai Bay.
It has been very interesting to watch, especially with all the unusual visits by CCG vessels. The most interesting to follow is the ongoing struggle to get the freighter BAIE COMEAU (IMO 9639892) out of the ice trap in Midland.
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Slight correction to yesterday