Canadian ice breakers busy on the St-Laurence River

[Dean Porter]

Steve,

Labrador Marine's website says the Apollo is due to leave Corner Brook 0600hrs Jan 10, 2014. Marine Traffic shows the Edward Cornwallis in Stephenville today.

Dean

[Steve Geronazzo]

Hi Dean,

Thanks for the info.

Steve

[Daniel B]

Allo Steve,
Henry Larsen came almost in sight of Matane yesterday and freed a few vessels from the ice blockade. Later, she seemed to head back for the Gulf. But right at this hour, I do not see her on Siitecht, so I guess that she is sailing  toward Belle Isle Strait or Corner Brook.

[Trucker001]

I thought the Sir Robert Bond did the corner brook to blanc sa blanc run winter time and Apollo would be on drydock winter time in st johns

[Steve Geronazzo]

The APOLLO is doing the regular Blanc-Sablon to St Barbe crossings but the ice has been so bad in St Barbe, LABRADOR MARINE has decided to switch to Corner Brook. The APOLLO was able to cross from Blanc-Sablon to Corner Brook on Sunday crossings have been cancelled until we get the assistance of an icebreaker. The earliest we could leave is Friday.

Dean mentioned that the CCGS EDWARD CORNWALLIS is in Stephensville. Anybody know if that ship is able to carry our the task of breaking ice in the Strait of Belle Isle?

[Trucker001]

sh is a light-mediun sized icebreaker so I don't see why she cant same class as ann Harvey and griffon and the George perkes  so I don't see why she cant do the job if ice isn't packed in too hard

[snocky]

Steve, the APPOLO is certainly not suited for running CORNER BROOK to BLANC SABLON this time of year. She should have been finished early december.Finally getting back the old winters we had 40 to 50 years ago. I don,t think the BOND will have any success either . If ice thickens like it used to years ago even LOUIS ST LAURENT will have a tough time getting through.The only vessel capable of operating here to BLANC SABLON in winter is not built yet & has to be a ferry combined icebreaker which will come with a "HUGE" cost. Nfld.govt. of Frank Moores had opportunity years ago to build tunnel across straits but didn,t proceed. 100% agree with DANNY DUMARESQUE about tunnel. To much politicking to get the thing done as with muskrat going ahead what a time to get tunnel as well. "SNOCKY"

[Steve Geronazzo]

Hi Snocky,

It is exceptional that the APOLLO is doing the CB to BS route. The ice buildup happens sooner than previous years and ST Barbe is impossible to get to. They decided to reroute to CB. One crossing was made from BS to CB on Sunday with the help of the CCGS HENRY LARSEN. We were about to leave on Monday to do the CB to BS crossing but it got cancelled because the LARSEN had to go to the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The SIR ROBERT BOND is in drydock. The CCGS TERRY FOX and CCGS LOUIS S ST LAURENT being refit!

What a mess.

[snocky]

Steve, i think it is absolutely ridiculous not to have those 2 out on the job now. Going to be a very tough winter.Any one living on north shore quebec or labrador better forget ferries for this winter & somehow get alternative route. I,m 74 yrs. old & can,t remember the cabot strait being so "TURMOILISH' as she has been the last few months. Hard time to be a seaman today. Hope all you people who are waiting to come or go get some comfort soon . "SNOCKY"

[Trucker001]

that makes 3ice breakers tied up now the terry Fox Louis St Laurent and there also one in cold layup also in st jphns I think it is George perkes  what a mess and non thinking this year

[Steve Geronazzo]

Can anybody tell me if some of the big tug/supply ships in St John's could act as icebreakers to help the situation in the Strait of Belle-Isle? Could they provide escort to a ferry?

MAERSK DISPATCHER
ATLANTIC KESTREL
ATLANTIC KINGFISHER
MAERSK DETECTOR
MAERSK NORSEMAN
ATLANTIC EAGLE
MAERSK PLACENTIA
MAERSK CHANCELLOR

[Marcel Giroux]

WOW Steve, quite a project you have there. It seems every body is active cutting ice. A special winter deserve special measure! Good lock....no, luck:o)
Marcel Giroux

[Mac Mackay]

I hear there was a collision between HENRY LARSEN and the bulker LAURA I between Mechins and Cap Chat. There was damage to the bulker and some minor scrapes on the icebreaker.

[Steve Geronazzo]

Omg. That's all we needed. Thanks Mac! :-)

[snocky]

Latest has CORNWALLIS escorting APOLLO tomorrow morning at 6am to blanc sablon. LARSEN is due BLANC SABLON  tomorrow evening. "SNOCKY"