Storm-force winds to sweep Great Lakes during blizzard, waves could top 25 feet
The incoming large-scale blizzard is forecast to be a heck of a storm for those of us living on Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. But it will also be a doozy of a blow out on our Great Lakes.
Vessels have been seeking shelter since late Thursday. Among them, Kaye E. Barker was anchored in Goulais Bay off the Canadian shore above the Soo. Herbert C. Jackson, Hon. James L. Oberstar, Paul R. Tregurtha and Philip R. Clarke were on the hook above DeTour. Mesabi Miner and James R. Barker were anchored at the southern end of the Keweenaw Peninsula, east side. American Mariner was headed for St. Ignace to drop anchor. Burns Harbor was stopped off Port Inland. Traffic in the Duluth/Superior area was at a standstill (see AIS map in the photo gallery).
Storm-force wind warnings covering Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Superior have been issued by the National Weather Service. These Storm Warning-strength winds, which are higher than Gale Force winds, are to whip across the Great Lakes Friday and into Saturday. Some of these wind gusts on Lake Superior could top out at nearly 70 mph, meaning they’d be approaching hurricane-force winds.
The waves being churched up by all this wind will be huge. The NWS meteorologists in Marquette expect waves up to 25 feet and some possibly higher on Lake Superior. That’s the same wave height as the monster storm that sent the famous Edmund Fitzgerald to the bottom in two pieces, with her 29 crew aboard, in 1975.
Waves could build to 19 feet in Lake Michigan along a stretch from Muskegon to South Haven. On Lake Huron, the biggest waves will be on the Canadian side of the lake. Lake Erie’s highest waves will be from the Cleveland area and east.
Back to Lake Superior, here’s what meteorologists from the NWS office in Marquette are forecasting:
“The wind … will be increasing to north gales Thursday night (to 51 mph), and then storm force winds (to 69 mph) through Saturday. The strong gale (to 51 mph) drops off by Sunday night. In addition to the winds, strong northerly winds will usher in cold air and a heavy freezing spray hazard and wind-driven waves in the eastern half could exceed 25 feet Saturday.”
Read the full report at this MLive link: https://www.mlive.com/news/2022/12/storm-force-winds-to-sweep-great-lakes-during-blizzard-waves-could-top-25-feet.html
Algoma Central Corporation announces acquisition of two product tankers
ST. CATHARINES, ON – Algoma Central Corporation has announced that it has acquired two 18,894 dwt product tankers to join the Algoma product tankers fleet. Built in 2007, the sister ships were purchased to prepare for the coming replacement of two older vessels in the company’s product tanker fleet. Both vessels are well-suited to the company’s domestic tanker trades.
“The vessels are high quality additions to our product tanker fleet,” said Gregg Ruhl, president and CEO of Algoma,“ and mark an important step in our on-going fleet renewal journey, which is expanding to include renewal within our tanker fleet. It is important that we acquire the right ships, at the right time to ensure they fit our market and our commitment to deliver safe and sustainable transportation solutions to our customers for the long-term.”
The Algotitan, previously named the Chantaco, will operate on the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Seaway and will be a strong addition to the fleet when the vessel begins domestic operations, expected in early 2023. The Algoberta, previously named the Chiberta, will begin her career with Algoma operating in Northwestern Europe and commercially managed by our partner Furetank AB of Sweden. The vessel will trade in Europe until the company is ready to bring her into Canadian trade, expected later in 2023. The Algoberta’s name is a nod to Algoma’s largest customer in the segment which calls Calgary, Alberta, home.
As of Thursday evening, Chantaco was at anchor off Hamilton, while Chiberta was at Keil, Germany.
In the third quarter of 2022, Algoma acquired a 2010 built Norwegian vessel named the Birgit Knutsen, which is a sister ship to the Algoterra. The vessel currently operates internationally under bareboat charter and has already proven to be a strong addition to the Product Tanker segment.
Algoma Central Corporation
St Lawrence Seaway’s new tug experiences issue ahead of 2022 buoy pull
After much anticipation, the St Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation’s (SLSDC) new $24 million tug, Seaway Guardian, was expected to get its first crack at serving as the replacement for the 64-year old tug Robinson Bay during the annual buoy retrieval mission, however the new tug has been benched for this year’s mission.
Earlier this week, Seaway Guardian departed the Massena marine base at the US Locks en route for Clayton, NY to begin work on retrieving buoys from Lake Ontario and the upper St. Lawrence River. The tug was just east of Morrisburg, ON when the crew reported an issue and determined it was best to return to Massena. Divers were summoned to assess the concern once back in Massena and the tug has since remained on the upper Eisenhower Lock wall since Monday.
With the clock ticking on the Seaway closure, which will occur on December 31 at Noon, the US Seaway has had to resort to finding an alternative vessel to help conduct the work.
After seeking assistance from Ocean Group that went unsuccessful, the Seaway was able to secure the Picton Terminal/Doornekamp tug, Amy Lynn D (ALD). ALD arrived at Eisenhower on Thursday morning before sunrise. It is currently unknown if the tug will take the place of Seaway Guardian completely or if it will serve as a support vessel, towing or pushing Guardian and her barge in order for the work to be done.
Seaway Guardian’s primary missions are to be buoy maintenance and ice management. It is also equipped to assist in firefighting and emergency operational response on the St. Lawrence Seaway. The new tug cost $24 million to construct as part of the SLSDC’s Asset Renewal Program and serves as the replacement of the 64-year-old vessel, Robinson Bay, which still remains part of the SLSDC fleet and is docked in Massena.
Construction of Seaway Guardian began back in 2018 with the keel being laid on June 26, 2018. The vessel launched on September 12, 2019. Sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico were completed in June 2020 and the tug began its delivery voyage to SLSDC’s marine base in Massena in July 2020. Since arriving in Massena, the tug has performed very little duties as the buoy tending barge had to undergo refit in Hamilton, ON. In November, the tug returned the barge from Hamilton as the crew prepared for this year’s buoy mission.
ALD’s crew is expected to return to Massena to begin its role in the operation on Boxing Day, December 26. Until then, no buoy work by the SLSDC will be completed.
Michael Folsom, Seaway Ship Watchers Network
