TSB releases report on 2020 collision of Florence Spirit and Alanis in Welland Canal
On Tuesday, the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) released its investigation report today of the July 11, 2020 collision between the Florence Spirit and Alanis (general cargo ships) near mile 16 in the Welland Canal, Ontario. Both vessels sustained major damage to their hull structures.
The Findings:
Hydrodynamic forces, combined with the proximity of the bank, caused the collision between the two cargo vessels.The investigation revealed that an exchange of short, informal instant messages between the master of the Florence Spirit and the pilot of the Alanis influenced the former’s speed and course-alteration decisions. These decisions increased the complexity of the encounter. The instant messaging communication between the master and pilot contributed to the master’s attention being diverted from coordinating the meeting with his own bridge team and excluded other bridge team members from having safety-critical information. In addition, diffused responsibility between the master and piloting master on the Florence Spirit precluded coordination and communication between the bridge team members of the Florence Spirit, which affected their ability to monitor the vessel’s progress and detect the effect of hydrodynamic forces acting on the vessel.
The Florence Spirit proceeded into the meeting at the maximum permissible speed of 9.9 knots, which increased the hydrodynamic forces acting on the vessel and reduced the ability to maintain steering control. The hydrodynamic forces generated, combined with the proximity of the bank, produced a yawing moment such that the vessel yawed uncontrollably to port into the path of the Alanis and collided with it.
Report courtesy : Janey Anderson
Video Credit: Jeremy Barton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzh4ZYuClYQ
Fednav sells three of its Laker-class series of vessels
Fednav Ltd. of Montreal, Quebec has renamed three of its Laker-class series of vessels, all of which have made trips through the Great Lakes/Seaway during their careers.
Federal Elbe IMO 9230000, built in 2003 was renamed DSM Castor of Barbados. This vessel first came inland as such in 2004 and last visited in 202. This was the second vessel to carry the name Federal Elbe in the Fednav fleet. The ship was renamed sometime in February 2022.
Also renamed was the Federal Danube IMO 9271511, built in 2004. The ship is now known as DSM Capella of Barbados registry. As the Federal Danube, this vessel first came inland as such in 2004 and last visited in 2021, making three inland visits This was the second vessel to carry the name Federal Danube in the Fednav fleet. The ship was renamed sometime in March 2022.
Finally, the Federal Weser IMO 9229972, built in 2002 has been renamed NJ Sun of Palau registry. This vessel first came inland in 2002 and last in 2022. The ship was renamed sometime in June 2022.
Two other Fednav Laker-class vessels, the Federal Ems IMO 9229984, built in 2002, and the Federal Leda IMO 9229996, built in 2003, have yet to be sold.
With Fednav building 10 new Laker-class vessels in Oshima, Japan it remains to be seen if any of the new buildings may have any of the former Fednav names applied to them.
Denny Dushane
Museum offering Labor Day free admission to union members
The National Museum of the Great Lakes will open its doors FREE on Labor Day (Monday, September 5) to all union members and union retirees.
“The museum recognizes the importance of honoring the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States,” says the museum’s Executive Director Chris Gillcrist.
While touring, all visitors can also participate in Freighter Golf, the museum’s annual hole-in-one challenge featuring two putting greens this year aboard the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship. Freighter Golf is included with museum ship admission.
Tickets can be reserved and purchased ahead of time online at nmgl.org, however reservations are not required. Proof of union membership will be requested upon arrival.
Scroll down to view the flyer regarding prices
National Museum of the Great Lakes
Reserve now for MHSD’s Detroit River cruise on September 10
Join other members of the MHSD aboard the passenger vessel Diamond Queen, (captained by MHSD’s very own Mike Nicholls and with MHSD member Ken Borg as narrator) for a Detroit River cruise 1-4 p.m. Saturday, September 10. We will do our best to get up close to freighter traffic and, if conditions are favorable, go up the Rouge River (however, the Rouge is not guaranteed). Snacks and refreshments will be available on the boat.
Tickets are $28 ($30 at the dock if space is still available). Buy tickets online at BrownPaperTickets.com (put Marine Historical Society in the search box to find our event).
By mail, send a check, payable to the Marine Historical Society of Detroit, to MHSD Cruise, 1020 Iroquois St., Detroit, MI 48214. Late orders will not be mailed – they will be held for you at the dock. We are limiting the number to 100 passengers so there will be plenty of room to move about the boat.
MHSD
