Algoma Compass hits Welland Canal bridge
Vessel traffic on the Welland Canal and road traffic in Port Colborne were not affected after a 207-metre-long laker struck an abutment near Bridge 21 Monday morning.
Poirier-Quesnel, S.t Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. manager of government and community relations, said Algoma Compass made contact with the southwest bridge abutment at about 5:45 a.m.
“The incident was reported to our operations centre, and a team of regional ship inspectors dispatched to the site.” He said no one on board the St. Catharines-based Algoma Central Corp. self-unloading vessel was injured. “There was no pollution, and the crew was not at risk.”
Poirier-Quesnel said the vessel, which listed its destination as Hamilton, moved to the west wall of the canal above Bridge 19A and Lock 8, under power. “It navigated to the wall without issue.”
The abutment struck by the vessel stretches south nearly 75 metres from the bridge and Clarence Street and holds a small parkette used by residents and tourists to watch ships travelling up and down the canal.
Welland Tribune
