Thunder Bay Dry Dock

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Re: Thunder Bay Dry Dock

by GuestfromEU » December 2, 2017, 7:52 am

Very true comments on USA-flagged ships and foreign shipyards. Not only is it possible to have a yard period in a foreign shipyard, it is actually very common. Grand Bahama shipyard frequently sees USA-flagged oil tankers, and Remantowa Shipyard in Poland has done work as well. Other shipyards in China and Singapore also handle work for West Coast-based ships.

For a routine survey and dry docking, this is perfectly legal. It only becomes an issue when structural steel is replaced, as there is a limit to how much steel work can be done in a non-USA yard. It is a formula based off the vessel's tonnage.

Re: Thunder Bay Dry Dock

by garbear » December 1, 2017, 7:20 pm

badger wrote:I don't think the jones act has any bearing on American ships being drydocked in a Canadian shipyard its been done before in Victoria b.c. by sealand it all has to do with availability and price
the tug Presque Isle goes into the drydock at Port Weller for her 5 yr. inspections.

Re: Thunder Bay Dry Dock

by badger » December 1, 2017, 4:36 pm

I don't think the jones act has any bearing on American ships being drydocked in a Canadian shipyard its been done before in Victoria b.c. by sealand it all has to do with availability and price

Re: Thunder Bay Dry Dock

by Guest 2 » November 27, 2017, 9:57 pm

It's not about the difficulty, it's about the money to do so and what the company intensions are for it. I think if the company was looking at long term and being competitive it would have been done before they start filling it with ships. As long as there is smaller ships (730' and under) sailing they will be in business. From what I read on here at least they got work with the Tadoussac going in. Be nice to see it out again.

Re: Thunder Bay Dry Dock

by MikeCDN » November 26, 2017, 10:56 pm

How difficult would it be to lengthen and correct the issue with the sill?

Thunder Bay is a community of skilled trades people. Would it not be possible for this facility to put itself in a position to be competitive with American docks? I know the Jones' Act prevents American ships from coming here.

However, could Canadian companies not seek out Canadian facilities? Canadian ships can use American dry docks but would our labour costs be lower with our dollar?

Re: Thunder Bay Dry Dock

by guest » November 23, 2017, 2:39 pm

Lengthening it was discussed a million times when I was there. If I was investing and was looking to having more opportunity it would be done. It would pay off in the long run but that place has always been up and down since the 90's. Since all the hype in the news and so far not too much said or happening it's hard to say if that trend will continue. Just my opinion. I been retired 11 years now so I can sit back and see with no worries. Will be interesting.

Re: Thunder Bay Dry Dock

by Guest » November 23, 2017, 11:54 am

A few years ago one of the CSL 740's tried to dry dock there and it was discovered that it wouldn't fit. with the most of the Cdn. fleet quickly becoming all 740'.
Does that dry dock actually have much value?

Re: Thunder Bay Dry Dock

by guest » November 23, 2017, 11:33 am

By the sounds of it. Have the blocks been laid yet BreakingBan? When she going in the hole? What other boats might be laying up there this winter? Sorry for so many questions. Others might wonder the same.

Re: Thunder Bay Dry Dock

by Guest » November 23, 2017, 8:35 am

BreakingBan wrote:
Tbayboy wrote:Watch the yard,things are going to happen very soon with a surprise dry docking.
Yes sir, big Tad is coming in for survey..
Is the Tadoussac coming out next year ?

Re: Thunder Bay Dry Dock

by guest » November 22, 2017, 9:29 pm

Good to finally hear something is gonna happen there. At least there will be winter work for the Tradesman again. Every little bit in this City helps. It helps in any City. Thanks for the info

Re: Thunder Bay Dry Dock

by BreakingBan » November 22, 2017, 5:44 pm

Tbayboy wrote:Watch the yard,things are going to happen very soon with a surprise dry docking.
Yes sir, big Tad is coming in for survey...

Re: Thunder Bay Dry Dock

by guest » November 22, 2017, 4:42 pm

They must have all the equipment moved in the Machine and Fabrication shops then. I never attended the auction to see what sold and what was left. So I can say from what you're saying they are going to be busy this winter. would you know if Fabmar is running it for Heddle Tbayboy?

Re: Thunder Bay Dry Dock

by Tbayboy » November 22, 2017, 4:11 pm

Watch the yard,things are going to happen very soon with a surprise dry docking.

Re: Thunder Bay Dry Dock

by guest » November 22, 2017, 3:09 pm

Lots of people drive by there to see if any activity there. That can be noticed by the tire tracks turning around there. My opinion on the dry dock is that it is feasible to rebuild the one there. Not sure what Heddle has done so far to it as it's not all visible from the road. I'm not familiar with regulations and inspections on floating dry docks but if it was something that would be feasible than Fabmar Marine would have had one many years ago. Just my opinion. I have often wondered why they never had one with the work they do at Keefer Terminal on the ice. I know from working at Pascol that one thing that limits the dry dock is the depth over the sill plate, but for what work is accomplished in the hole it did make money. The main reason Pascol went under is because most of our profits had to go to keep PWDD above the board. Sorry for being long winded. Like I said. It's just my opinion on things.

Re: Thunder Bay Dry Dock

by MikeCDN » November 22, 2017, 10:57 am

Guest - Thank you for driving by the entrance to investigate and not trespassing on the grounds.

Just for sake of argument:

Would a floating dry dock be more practical than a standard dry dock in Thunder Bay? Are the more economical?

I have noticed that shipyards on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts employ them in Canada as well as on the Great Lakes.

Mike

Re: Thunder Bay Dry Dock

by guest » November 21, 2017, 8:30 pm

Took a drive by the old Pascol shipyards today and hardly any tire tracks in the snow there. Hasn't snowed for awhile here so guess not much going on there.

Re: Thunder Bay Dry Dock

by guest » November 20, 2017, 8:02 pm

Not sure how much Heddle put into this yard in Thunder Bay. When I worked there it needed a lot of work. Every building needed lots of work and the drydock was a bit of a nightmare. We were only to use it for emergency repairs as it was almost condemned. Boats went in and out anyways. Said work was emergency and did 5 year while it was in. I had heard there has been a couple tugs serviced there and most of the work will be tugs and industrial fabrication. There might be a few winter layups there but most might be at Keefer Terminal as usual. Be nice to see people moving down there and more money getting put into the economy of the city.

Re: Thunder Bay Dry Dock

by Mr Link » November 19, 2017, 9:09 pm

Plus Heddle has been handling ships up to 650' by 68' on their existing floating docks.

Re: Thunder Bay Dry Dock

by NiagaraMike » November 19, 2017, 8:35 pm

That's not entirely true Mike.
Port Weller Drydock has two functional dry docks, the last survey done was the Presque Isle tug.

Re: Thunder Bay Dry Dock

by Guest » November 19, 2017, 8:06 pm

Its hard for the Cdn. dock to compete with the U.S. docks when their core work is protected by the government. It should be a free trade issue.

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