American Mariner freed; St. Marys River still closed

FRIDAY 3:20 UPDATE: The river has been reopened. Soo Traffic is letting vessels know they may resume their trips and their order of turn. American Mariner going to anchor in the Raber Bay area off Lime Island.

ADDITIONAL UPDATE: At 10:15 a.m. Soo Traffic sent out a radio update saying “No estimated time of reopening.”

FRIDAY 10 a.m. UPDATE: The St. Marys River remained closed Friday morning due to the early Thursday grounding of the American Mariner.  The U.S. and Canadian coast guards report that the vessel struck the Mud Lake Junction Light about 1 a.m. local time and then went aground on the American side of the river, half in and half out of the downbound channel. It was also reported that the vessel was taking on water, however that information was omitted from later reports.

The U.S. Coast Guard and Purvis Marine tugs responded to the incident, and as of 4 pm local time Thursday, the vessel was back in the navigation channel.  It appears that the tugs Anglian Lady and  W.I. Scott Purvis assisted in moving the vessel back into the channel.

Vessel status: As of 10 a.m. Friday, the American Mariner remained at anchor and no timeline has been released for re-opening the river to commercial traffic. Tugs Anglian Lady, WI Scott Purvis and USCG Katmai Bay remain on-scene. Algoma Conveyor and the Edgar B. Speer were in the Nine Mile Anchorage, while the Wilfred Sykes, Whitefish Bay, American Century, Spruceglen and the salty Belasitza were anchored near Drummond Island. Downbound Algoma Strongfield, American Courage and Thunder Bay were stopped at the locks. Sharon M 1 and barge were at the Purvis Dock. John G. Munson and Presque Isle were anchored off Bay Mills. Algoma Equinox and Arthur M. Anderson were rounding Whitefish Point Friday mid-morning. Northern Venture was at Algoma Steel, possibly still unloading or waiting for the river to reopen.

 

Thunder Bay welcomes Federal Franklin as season’s first saltie

Thunder Bay, ON –  Arriving in port Thursday at approximately 11 a.m. was the M/V  Federal Franklin, breaking the record for the earliest international ship in port since the record was previously set on March 30th in 2006.

The Port of Thunder Bay team gathered with local dignitaries to celebrate with another Top Hat Ceremony. Joining them were Canon Ed Swayze from Mission to Seafarers and the team from Thunder Bay Shipping.

Federal Franklin’s Captain Rohit Khosla and Chief Engineer Jyotirmay Santra were celebrated with words of welcome, gifts, and the traditional Top Hat, bestowed by Port Board Chair Pat Bushby. Federal Franklin will be taking on a load of potash at Thunder Bay Terminals that is bound for Brazil.

This event constituted the second Top Hat Ceremony of the week, as Port of Thunder Bay traditionally hosts two ceremonies annually: one to commemorate the first arrival of a domestic vessel and another to celebrate the first international vessel of the season.

Port of Thunder Bay

Wigeon is first saltie at Toronto

TORONTO, ON – A sure sign of spring’s arrival, the first international ship of the 2024 shipping season has arrived at the Port of Toronto. Early Wednesday, PortsToronto “crowned” Captain Sergiy Kobylyashnyy of the M/V Wigeon with an antique top hat – first presented in the spring of 1861– at the annual Top Hat Ceremony. For the past 163 years, PortsToronto has celebrated the official opening of the commercial shipping season by crowning the captain of the first ocean-going vessel or “saltie” to arrive at the port.

The Port of Toronto had another strong year in 2023, moving 2.3 million metric tonnes of bulk and general cargo products and welcoming a record 45 cruise ships and nearly 18,000 visitors to Toronto. The Port of Toronto’s consecutive year of strong performance in marine imports and cruise ship activity highlights the important role the Port plays in Toronto’s economy for tourism, trade and construction.

Overall, 189 cargo vessels visited the Port of Toronto in 2023, delivering a range of bulk, project and general cargo products totalling 2,311,616 million metric tonnes. In addition, 2023 was the second consecutive record year for the Port of Toronto’s Cruise Ship Terminal business. The year 2024 will usher in another strong cruise ship season, with 36 ships expected to call between May and October, bringing nearly 18,000 passengers to Toronto to enjoy all the city has to offer.

Ports Toronto

Opening For Chief Engineer-ILS

Interlake Logistics Solutions, Inc. operates the versatile articulated tug-barge Undaunted-Pere Marquette, which carries diverse cargoes  on the Great Lakes.   Equipped to self-load cargo with an 800C John Deere excavator, long reach material handler, the uniquely outfitted vessel can utilize a clam bucket for flowable material or a five-tine grapple for large rocks and scrap metal.  The tug Undaunted that powers the Pere Marquette 41 is a repowered Navy ATA/Rescue Tug that served in World War II.  The barge Pere Marquette41 is the repurposed carferry City of Midland.

The Chief Engineer is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the vessel’s (both tug and barge) machinery and propulsion plants.

Responsibilities: 

• Both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance of equipment / machinery.
• Ordering needed supplies and maintaining inventories.
• Proper record keeping, documentation and adherence to rules and regulations.
• Working with the Engine Utility to maintain a clean, safe, and positive work environment.
• This is not an all-inclusive list, but an overview of responsibilities.

Qualifications/Certifications Required: 

• Minimum requirement; Valid USCG license, Chief Engineer (Limited) with at least a 2000HP endorsement.
• TWIC Card
• Current Physical / USCG Medical Certificate.
• DOT Drug Screen
• Legally eligible to work in the USA (proof of identity or eligibility required.

The rotation is 28 days on the vessel and 28 days off. After completing a 90-day probationary period, your eligible for medical, dental, vision and a 401k plan.

Applicants please apply thru website:  www.ssbadger.com