CG Spar Update and questions

[Howard Sprague]

We just went out and got her at the river. This is our third trip so far in 2022. Thanks for the heads up, Denny! We will be home in time to watch the basketball games and everything.

[Denny]

They are now in the lower end of the St. Clair River as I type this now and you can watch them now on You Tube by going and doing a search for the Web Cams at Marine Ciry, St. Clair and Port Huron. Just wish that I lived closer than I do.

[Denny]

They have departed Detroit this morning and are now upbound around by Belle Isle as I type this now. Unfortunately as I mentioned previously, I can’t get out to see them today as I have other plans for today. I wasn’t expecting to see them anyway so, at least it’s not too much of a let down and disappointment for me. I know at some point I’ll see them just when and where then who knows? For now though, welcome CG Spar and may you all have a safe trip to Duluth. A 3 Long and 2 Short to the Spar along with its crew as well. Safe Sailings with calm seas and winds to them too!

[Denny]

They arrived in Detroit today. Hoping that if they depart on Monday or on Tuesday of next week, maybe I might get lucky and see them then just as long as they pass upbound in the daylight. If they leave and depart on Sunday then, unfortunately I won't be able to see them then as I'll have other plans for tomorrow.

[rh]

Spar exited the Long Point VTS Sector and gave Seaway Long Point an ETA for Point Pelee Passage of 0500 and "from there we are headed to Commercial Terminal Detroit"

[rh]

The Spar just cleared the Welland Canal and gave a 3 hr ETA for Long Point. No further mention of Detroit so you will have to follow them on Marine Traffic AIS to determine a possible arrival.

Coincidently, I was able to hear the Spar talking to Seaway Welland and Seaway Long Point from a new scanner feed covering Eastern Lake Erie just installed today by ARS-NET that I am involved with that provides the Massena Marine Seaway and other Broadcastify feeds.

Expected coverage, based on what we have been seeing with AIS coverage from the site, is Long Point to Buffalo and the Welland Canal, including the north shore Nanticoke area and much of the Welland Canal itself. We are scanning 6, 8, 11, 12, 13 & 14. We had to delete 16 due to interference from an unknown source.

https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/37640

[Denny]

Thanks for that rh as I saw them in the Welland Canal earlier today when I was checking out the AIS maps on the Marine Traffic website. Just wish we had some warmer and better weather up here this weekend as far as in the Detroit area for seeing them. At least I know that many boatnerds out there will see her and be posting photos of her here along with on the various Facebook sites too. Looking forward to someday down the road as far as seeing her somewhere.

[rh]

The Spar is presently inbound at Port Weller piers at 0830 so it will be a daytime transit of the Welland Canal today. Should be good photo op for anyone in the area.

[Denny]

I've been trying to monitor their transits so far on Marine Traffic and their AIS maps. So far so good at least for now anyway. You can see and track their movements there. I know sometimes the AIS maps on boatnerd will list US and Canadian Coast Guard vessels. Not sure though yet if they have the CG Spar on it or not as I've yet to check that one out. Also and Yes you are correct and I know also about the Seaway website and a few others not listing Coast Guard and Military Vessels on their websites too!

[rh]

Unfortunately, the Seaway website does not list lock ETAs for military or USCG vessels so no way to know their ETA for the Welland Canal locks until they are in the area. They only notify the Seaway VTS stations of their ETA at the next CIP and they give their destination on the initial contact entering a new sector. So tracking their movements on AIS sites is the best way to estimate their arrivals.

When they contacted Seaway Iroquois they again said "destination Detroit then Duluth".

They spent last night moored on the upper wall at Snell then resumed their transit through Eisenhower this morning.

I suspect they would likely stop at Detroit for fuel but there may be some other activities planned.

[Denny]

Thanks for the update rh much appreciated. Didn’t know they were stopping at Detroit. I wonder how long they will be there and when they will be leaving from Detroit?

[rh]

Spar just advised Seaway Eisenhower at 0840 they are departing Eisenhower Lock, destination "Detroit then on to Duluth, no lake pilot required".

[Denny]

From Marine Traffic's website and an update. They departed this morning from Montreal and are now in the Seaway. Probably won't be seeing them afterall now unfortunately! The weather for the Detroit area this weekend still has rain chances along with possibly mixing with some snow or else snow showers on Saturday. I am not up to driving in those conditions and especially since I got a new vehicle late last fall to which I'm still learning and also with the high prices as well for gas that definitely makes less and fewer trips now days! I know at some point and someday that I will see the CG Spar somewhere. Just have to be patient as the old saying goes about "Good things come to those who wait!" Although the Alder was once stationed in Duluth, I did get lucky twice on her seeing them at the Soo Locks once and later on the St. Clair River both rare visits made by them. So again, if I miss out seeing the CG Spar on the St. Clair River at some point I know hopefully that I will see them again somewhere!

[Denny]

Seen on Marine Traffic the CG Spar arrived in Montreal this evening on her voyage and trip up to Duluth. Hopefully when they travel up through the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers they will transit in daylight but hopefully not too early or late in the day. I may be able to hopefully see them but only IF they pass through on Friday or Saturday so long as it is not doing any rain or snow as I don’t drive in that. Just giving you all an update.

[Denny]

Heads Up all boatnerds as the CG Spar is expected to arrive in Montreal tomorrow on March 22nd at approximately 2200 hours or at 10 PM or so. I would expect them then to be transiting the Seaway Locks then in the next few days after that? The Spar as most of you know already will be replacing the CG Alder in Duluth which left Duluth last year in 2022! Weather forecast for the Detroit area though doesn’t look to be too promising for this week with lots of rain forecasted from Tuesday night through most of the week and colder too by the weekend. Hoping then maybe for a daylight passage on them maybe this Saturday I hope it is?

[Shipwatcher1]

The CG Spar WLB-206 and the replacement vessel for the CG Alder has since departed from Portland, Maine as of March 17 at 12:35 p.m. from the Marine Traffic website. Eventually this vessel will then enter the Seaway with Duluth as its ultimate destination! Does anyone know at this time or have any estimates as to when they are due and expected then to arrive in Montreal and also to be on the Seaway? I am hoping beyond hope to catch and see them as they travel up the St. Clair River so long as the weather is favorable and they make a daylight passage through the river then. Any help, estimates and information anyone may have would be very much and greatly appreciated. Please keep this thread also updated with any information and estimates as they make their way to Duluth. Thanks so much in advance for any help and information as well!

They are near Quebec City right now. You can follow along with them on their facebook page the crew maintains for the SPAR

[Pat]

As of 2:00 pm on 3/21, they are in the Saint Lawrence River, approaching Quebec City.

[Denny]

The CG Spar WLB-206 and the replacement vessel for the CG Alder has since departed from Portland, Maine as of March 17 at 12:35 p.m. from the Marine Traffic website. Eventually this vessel will then enter the Seaway with Duluth as its ultimate destination! Does anyone know at this time or have any estimates as to when they are due and expected then to arrive in Montreal and also to be on the Seaway? I am hoping beyond hope to catch and see them as they travel up the St. Clair River so long as the weather is favorable and they make a daylight passage through the river then. Any help, estimates and information anyone may have would be very much and greatly appreciated. Please keep this thread also updated with any information and estimates as they make their way to Duluth. Thanks so much in advance for any help and information as well!