Latest closing date in history of St. Lawrence Seaway
The St. Lawrence Seaway has announced its latest closing date since the vital North American
waterway was founded in 1959 – notably to compensate for the impact of an eight-day strike in
October by Canadian workers that prevented more than 100 vessels from transiting the system.
“Weather permitting, our projected closing dates for the Montreal-Lake Ontario section is
January 5, 2024 and the Welland Canal section is January 7, 2024,” said Jean Aubry-Morin, Vice
President External Relations, St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation.
“The navigation season has been extended by five days to help offset the impacts of the traffic
interruption on the economy,” Mr. Aubry-Morin told Maritime Magazine. He suggested that
the decision was also facilitated in part by climate change developments.
The longer season will allow particularly Canadian and foreign-flag carriers transporting wheat,
iron ore, steel and general cargo to potentially add at least one extra trip to their sailing
schedules through the maritime corridor of 15 locks (13 Canadian and 2 Canadian) linking the
Atlantic Ocean to the industrial heartland of North America.
“The only time we closed on Jan 11 was when a vessel was stuck in a U.S. lock in 2017,” Mr.
Aubry-Morin said, adding: “We are really opening the door for the recovery of what was lost in
time!”
Maritime Magazine
Manitowoc Experiences Bow Thruster Problem
At approximately 1619 Eastern Standard Time Sunday, the 630’ freighter Manitowoc was
inbound St. Joseph Harbor, MI, when she developed an issue with the bow thruster. The bow
thruster is a propeller sideways in the bow or front of the vessel to allow for easier
maneuvering in close quarters.
The freighter did make contact against the protective wooden fendering surrounding the CSX
Railroad Bridge. The bridge itself was not impacted.
Manitowoc was able to resolve the thruster issue and proceed inbound to Dock 63 to unload
her cargo of approximately 15,300 tons of gravel. No injuries or damage were reported to the
vessel and no pollution was discharged into the water.
CSX Railroad reported that their bridge mechanic conducted an inspection of the bridge with no
damage to the bridge itself and minor scrapes to the protective wooden fendering. The Coast
Guard and the Harbormaster were notified appropriately during this incident.
Manitowoc will be performing maintenance and inspection on the thruster.
The vessel will also test operation of the thruster prior to departing the harbor once their cargo is unloaded.
Mike Moran Harbormaster, City of St. Joseph, MI
‘Tis the Season for the Winter Lay-up List
You can monitor our annual lay-up listing page here: https://boatnerd3.jasonbowlerdesign.com/winter-lay-up-list-2023-2024/
The page will be updated throughout the winter. Please send lay-up reports to news@boatnerd.net.
