Federal Biscay Entrapment in Snell Lock

[StClairBN]

The Seaway is finally clear. The Federal Biscay cleared the last lock around 6:00P last night and the 2 Ocean Groupe tugs, that were assisting followed, shortly after.
This must be going into the record books as the latest closing date for the Seaway.

Regards, John

[rh]

The Federal Biscay seems to be making 8-9 knots unassisted since the convoy got free of the ice between Carleton Island and the mainland. ETA 1609 for upper Beauharnois and 2152 for St. Lambert.

Looks like no problem and should be clear of the Seaway and the last passage of the season late tonight.

Pacific Huron is at Beauharnois and Mitiq is in the South Shore Canal. Beatrix and Billesborg cleared St. Lambert this morning.

[Guest]

Pacific Huron passed Federal Biscay after exiting the Snell Lock and is proceeding down a track previously broken by Martha L Black as she came upriver to escort Ferderal Biscay. Huron appears to be running unassisted by tugs at normal speeds for the conditions.

Federal Biscay is proceeding very slowly, closely escorted by tugs Ocean A Simrad and Ocean Ocean Tundra, with Martha L Black apparently clearing a path ahead. It's hard to say at this point whether she's just having more trouble with ice than Huron, or is running crippled.

[StClairBN]

The Beatrix and Billesborg are lined up at the St. Lambert lock, the Mitiq has cleared the Beauharnois lock, the Biscay has cleared the Snell lock and the Pacific Huron is just exiting. This is at around 7:00 am

Regards, John

[Guest]

Federal Biscay appears to have made it all the way into the Snell lock this time, at about 12:45 AM Monday January 9.

[Guest]

Has it been determined whether the prop is damaged or not?

I wondered about that too.

Ships can run with some amount of prop damage. I caught this shot of Maumee, but she was certainly on her last legs buy then:

I've also seen ships carrying spare prop blades (if they have the bolt-on type), I think Robert S Pierson was one. I don't know how common that is, but it could certainly help reduce repair waiting time.

[SRH7934]

Has it been determined whether the prop is damaged or not?

[Guest]

One of the reasons this hasn't received much coverage is the Snell Lock has NO public viewing areas where news crews could easily set up their equipment to take high quality footage of a "talking head" standing in front of a camera, and without that, it ain't news in many peoples minds.

Seaway management apparently would not allow site access to official news media while freeing operations were in process (think vehicles steam lines and other equipment everywhere) in an area that isn't set up with the type of guard rails/railings and walkways you find in normal public areas.

The few "bootleg" pictures floating around the web (and picked up by some official news media) appear to have been taken by employees of some of the companies contracted to assist with the operation, or possibly fearless/nincompoop news bloggers who dashed onto the site and avoided security personnel while trying grab pictures/video before fleeing to escape arrest.

It remains to be seen if the downstream Canadian press is present for the locking through of the convoy of the three lesser beam ships (the ones with little chance of getting stuck in the lock).

Then there are the two lock cloggers still to go...

[Mac Mackay]

If the true cost of the Seaway delays were ever to be revealed I think we would be astounded.
I was glad the Seaway managed to acknowledge "contractors" at the end of the list of their own resources, but you don't hire half a dozen tugs for cheap.
The steam jennies they hired had to come from somewhere at a daily rate including operator accommodation ,meals, etc.,
I suppose their own employees might be on the job anyway even if the system was closed for the season, but there was likely a large overtime bill.
Then there is the diversion of the Martha L. Black from other duties on the St. Lawrence River.
There may even be delays in starting winter maintenance on the locks or damage to walls and gates to deal with.
The question is, can these costs be recovered from Seaway tolls or are tax payers on the hook.

[Denny]

To go off subject I also have a good one for yous all! How come we have not seen or heard much TV coverage on the delays with the shipping as far as ships being stuck in the ice and needing help from the CG along with the ships getting stuck in ice up near the Soo and in Lake St. Clair? I'll tell you why because here in Detroit at least, all the TV stations care about is local news for Detroit and the weather and sports. They could care two cents IMO about what goes on out along our Great Lakes region! Heck I don't even think they've mentioned a thing about any possible flood threats due to the ice condtions along the St. Clair River. Just a couple more to add and sorry for going off topic and rambling but, you never ever see the TV networks here in Detroit cover or mention shipping as far as "When the Soo Locks open and close every year!" Too bad they don't recognize and realize how much this stuff means to us boatnerds! Sorry to ramble on folks just my opinions here only.

[Guest]

This drama has been playing out with little news coverage for many days. I salute the crews of the tug boat companies, the 5 stranded ships, the lock personnel, the two seaway management authorities and the coast guard. I cannot even imagine the difficulties of these people working to free up ships and locks and bridges at -25. This is such a wonderful example of successful cooperative enterprise between companies, multiple government agencies, even internationally. it is not over yet, but all seems under control. Why is this not news worthy?

It has received some coverage in the mainstream media but outside of the boatnerd world it's not immediately important or relevant to average people. Especially when you look at some of the current big news items (i.e new book about Trump, tension with North Korea, Iran civil protests, etc...) If the lock was damaged and shipping was delayed in the spring it would become a big news item. But as it stands right now, it's little more than a curiosity to most of the public.

[Johnny]

This drama has been playing out with little news coverage for many days. I salute the crews of the tug boat companies, the 5 stranded ships, the lock personnel, the two seaway management authorities and the coast guard. I cannot even imagine the difficulties of these people working to free up ships and locks and bridges at -25. This is such a wonderful example of successful cooperative enterprise between companies, multiple government agencies, even internationally. it is not over yet, but all seems under control. Why is this not news worthy?

[Mr Link]

AIS shows the Martha L. Black currently at Beauharnois. Probably going upstream to assist with the convoy being formed.

I've been scouring the internet, but can't find any recent info on The Wilf Seymour and Alouette Spirit. Still stuck in lac Saint-Pierre awaiting an approved salvage plan I guess.

[Guest]

And let's not forget that once everyone has locked down at Snell, there are still four more locks (two at Beauharnois and two in the South Shore Canal above Montreal) plus Lake St. Francis and Lake St. Louis before these five ships will be in the relative safety of Montreal Harbor.

Exactly. Throughout this story there's been consistent reference to clearing the U.S. locks , as if the last four don't exist. The system as a whole doesn't close until they clear all of the locks.

[Fritz]

And let's not forget that once everyone has locked down at Snell, there are still four more locks (two at Beauharnois and two in the South Shore Canal above Montreal) plus Lake St. Francis and Lake St. Louis before these five ships will be in the relative safety of Montreal Harbor.

[StClairBN]

The Biscay is the widest at 78 feet. The Pacific Huron at 77 and 1/2 feet is only slightly narrower and would likely have the same problems as the Biscay. The Billesborg at almost 69 feet, Mitiq at just over 62 feet and the Beatrix at 56 and 1/2 feet should have a much easier time of it and will likely go first. The Biscay will likely be the last one out since she will need assistance.

Regards, John

[Guest]

Free'd but is she through the lock or still have to go thru the lock? Did they just pull her back up stream or did they get her down below the lock ?

Pulled her back upstream.

There's a warm spell coming up, starting Sunday, so that should help everyone get through.

I'm sure they'll be more careful about clearing ice out of the lock before max beam ships enter this time, and I wonder if they'll keep the steam generators onsite to thoroughly deice the sides of the ships also before they enter...

[Darryl]

This saga may be far from over. If you read the R. Beaupre and Ron Walsh updated story on the Boatnerd News page, the Biscay may have propulsion problems, and there are three boats that have to navigate I presume the same lock.

[Guest]

Looks like steam came to the rescue, just like in the good old days:

[hayhugh3]

Free'd but is she through the lock or still have to go thru the lock? Did they just pull her back up stream or did they get her down below the lock ?