Boatnerd Discussion Forum

That is interesting information, Algowest. I don't believe the Algoma Sault had ever been drydocked in her short career prior to this winter in Erie. If someone can find where and when she was, then I am mistaken. However, a drydocking for inspecting these areas only would likely not take three weeks or more as was the case here.

Algoma Sault was in for a quick inspection of her propulsion/steering/bow thruster, from what I can tell. There was some scaffolding setup around these areas. Her last Lloyd's renewal survey was 2023, and next renewal survey is 2028, so this was not a drydocking for re-certification, as far as I can tell.

Yes I believe the arrival date of January 30 is correct as far as I know? Also, thanks for letting us know the lay up dock they are at then in Port Colborne. I did see and read an article here in the boatnerd news section regarding the Algoma Sault laying up in Port Colborne. I think the article did mention they were laying up at Wharf 16 the R & P Dock in Port Colborne. Thanks again for the updates on them. Very much appreciated.

The algoma sault is laid at thr r&p dock in port colborne, I believe it was Jan. 30th.

The Algoma Sault was in Erie for its five-year drydocking, but not for winter lay-up. This has happened several times in the past, especially with Canadian ships. In 2021 the Manitoulin "laid up" in the drydock in Toledo, then when her work was complete in February, sailed north to Sarnia for the remainder of the winter. It makes sense that a new vessel getting its first drydocking would be in and out in just a few weeks.

This is off topic however, the Algoma Bear is now heading for Ashtabula to unload their Salt cargo. I’m assuming due to the ice buildup at the East end of Lake Erie especially near Buffalo, and the high winds packing in the ice there that the Algoma Bear probably didn’t want to take any chances on getting stuck in ice off Buffalo like Manitoulin did last week! The Algoma Sault arrived in Port Colborne this morning, January 30 most likely for Winter Lay Up.

As of 2:30 pm on January 30, the Algoma Sault arrived at Port Colborne this morning presumably for Winter Lay Up? Anyone know the berth or dock they are current at then? Any information is appreciated. Thanks.

The outstanding question remains to be why the Algoma Sault left her layup in Erie and journeyed out to the Algoma Bear with the ice conditions the way they are? Seems a bit strange to put another boat in a potentially difficult or damaging situation.

Algoma Bear is supposed to go to Buffalo, but with the recent high winds we had on Monday, a lot of the ice shifted and is packed into extreme eastern Lake Erie. On Tuesday, estimates of ice thickness in that area is between 12-28 inches, meaning that the Algoma Bear will need the assistance of the Mackinaw or Samuel Risley to get into Buffalo.

https://usicecenter.gov/pub/icethick_D9.png

High winds the last 3 days. Making the ice even thicker. Maybe Thursday.

The Sault was in Erie this Winter for layup. Don’t know the reasons they left Erie and joined up with the Bear then at anchor off of Nanticoke? I don’t know yet either what if any issues could be limiting the Bear? They have a salt load for Buffalo and so far has not arrived there yet to unload. At first, I thought maybe they were waiting for the Manitoulin to get unstuck from the ice near Buffalo or else they’ve been at anchor maybe waiting for assistance from the Coast Guard to enter Buffalo. Must be something then more to it than that. Don’t know if the Sault was ever drydocked in Erie or had their 5 to 6 year survey done there or not as that much I never heard anything on then.

It's Tuesday night and I see Algoma Sault has left Erie and has joined Algoma Bear at anchor off Nanticoke. What gives? I thought the Algoma Sault was in layup in Erie. Something wrong with the Algoma Bear? It's been anchor off Nanticoke for a bit now.