Michipicoten Heads for Shipyard
THUNDER BAY, ON –– The damaged motor vessel Michipicoten left Thunder Bay, ON, for a repair facility in Superior, WI, on Thursday morning. The vessel is being escorted first by the Canadian tug Glenada and then by the U.S. tug Helen H. during its transit, which is expected to take roughly 18 hours. The Michipicoten is expected to undergo permanent repairs following damage to a crack in her hull received June 8, 2024 while downbound on Lake Superior.
The U.S. Coast Guard has been working closely with Transport Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, the vessel owner, naval engineers, National Weather Service and third-party surveyors to ensure the vessel’s safe transit. This team effort included the safe offloading of all cargo, a thorough structural survey of the vessel and completion of temporary repairs, extensive engineering analysis, and the creation of a comprehensive transit plan.
The Michipicoten suffered an approximately 15 foot-long crack in the bottom of its hull en route from Two Harbors, MN, to Sault Ste. Marie, ON. The ship’s crew reported hearing a loud bang, and a preliminary investigation pointed to stress or fatigue as the possible cause of hull failure that resulted in flooding.
Shortly after the vessel limped into Thunder Bay, a local dive crew welded a temporary patch over the crack, and the remaining water was removed. Michipicoten’s cargo of taconite pellets for Algoma Steel was transferred to a sister ship, the Manitoulin. Both vessels are self-unloaders.
The shipyard in Thunder Bay was idled by owner Ontario Shipyards earlier this year, with the company citing market conditions and the unavailability of skilled labor.
USCG Release, TB News
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