Thursday, March 27, 2014
Icebreaking Operations Resume
Icebreaking operations resumed at 0730 this morning. At this time NEAH BAY and CSL LAURENTIEN are about six miles northwest of Presque Isle at this time. The duo has requested CCGS GRIFFON, eastbound off of Ashtabula for Port Colborne, pass within a few miles of them and break open a track that the duo can follow to Conneaut.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
CSL LAURENTIEN DEPARTS
After spending the night in Erie at Dobbin's Landing, USCGC NEAH BAY departed Erie this morning at 0900 to prepare a track for CSL LAURENTIEN.
CSL LAURENTIEN's crew spent the morning going through safety meetings and a fire and boat drill. The vessel finally backed away from the West Slip at Donjon Shipbuilding and Repair at 1300 and departed for Conneaut, Ohio, where the ship will load taconite pellets for Quebec City, where they will be shipped overseas. It is entirely possible that LAURENTIEN will be the first downbound transit of the Welland Canal, which opens March 28.
Ice conditions were reported by NEAH BAY to be a "smorgasbord" with open water giving way to high windrows within mere feet. LAURENTIEN got as far as Beach 9 before getting stuck in the ice this afternoon around 1400. After several hours of breaking work by the NEAH BAY, the vessel has pushed a few miles further; the crew spent some time searching for the track made by EDWIN H. GOTT's departure on Sunday but winds over the past few days have filled the track with windrowed ice.
To maintain proper crew rest, NEAH BAY's crew only operates in ice for twelve hours per day and will be stopping for the night at 1930 hours; icebreaking operations will resume after daylight on Thursday.
NEAH BAY outbound Erie at 0900.
Another view.
Stern view of NEAH BAY.
Into the ice.
Work being done by Chivers Construction on the west wall of the West Slip.
LAURENTIEN ballasted to 13' forward and 23' aft.
Backing away from the dock shortly after 1300.
Turning to head outbound.
Coming around the Mountfort Terminal.
LAURENTIEN in line for the channel.
Close up.
Stern view.
Passing the lighthouse.
Outbound.
LAURENTIEN heads into the ice field.
CSL LAURENTIEN beset in the ice as NEAH BAY makes a pass.
Another view of the beset LAURENTIEN.
CSL LAURENTIEN's crew spent the morning going through safety meetings and a fire and boat drill. The vessel finally backed away from the West Slip at Donjon Shipbuilding and Repair at 1300 and departed for Conneaut, Ohio, where the ship will load taconite pellets for Quebec City, where they will be shipped overseas. It is entirely possible that LAURENTIEN will be the first downbound transit of the Welland Canal, which opens March 28.
Ice conditions were reported by NEAH BAY to be a "smorgasbord" with open water giving way to high windrows within mere feet. LAURENTIEN got as far as Beach 9 before getting stuck in the ice this afternoon around 1400. After several hours of breaking work by the NEAH BAY, the vessel has pushed a few miles further; the crew spent some time searching for the track made by EDWIN H. GOTT's departure on Sunday but winds over the past few days have filled the track with windrowed ice.
To maintain proper crew rest, NEAH BAY's crew only operates in ice for twelve hours per day and will be stopping for the night at 1930 hours; icebreaking operations will resume after daylight on Thursday.
NEAH BAY outbound Erie at 0900.
Another view.
Stern view of NEAH BAY.
Into the ice.
Work being done by Chivers Construction on the west wall of the West Slip.
LAURENTIEN ballasted to 13' forward and 23' aft.
Backing away from the dock shortly after 1300.
Turning to head outbound.
Coming around the Mountfort Terminal.
LAURENTIEN in line for the channel.
Close up.
Stern view.
Passing the lighthouse.
Outbound.
LAURENTIEN heads into the ice field.
CSL LAURENTIEN beset in the ice as NEAH BAY makes a pass.
Another view of the beset LAURENTIEN.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Monday, March 24, 2014
GOTT Update
After freeing HOLLYHOCK yesterday afternoon, EDWIN H. GOTT slowly proceeded westbound before getting stuck off of Erie. The vessel, with the assistance of HOLLYHOCK, attempted to break free from the heavy, windrowed ice off of Erie until stopping for the night around 2000 Sunday.
This morning, NEAH BAY departed it's base in Cleveland and headed eastbound, meeting up with the duo shortly after noon. In the meantime, CCGC GRIFFON and ALGOEAST passed the GOTT westbound, having a significantly easier time of the ice further north. After freeing HOLLYHOCK and GOTT, NEAH BAY is now proceeding westbound, leading the duo off of Conneaut, Ohio at this time. GOTT is bound for Detroit for fuel before heading to Two Harbors, Minnesota to load.
GOTT warms her engines at the Old Ore Dock at 1015 on Sunday morning.
Turning the corner at the Mountfort Terminal.
View from the North Pier.
Lined up for the channel.
In the channel.
View from the North Pier.
Another view.
Stern view.
Passing through the piers.
Outbound.
GOTT hits the ice.
North Pierhead lighthouse and EDWIN H. GOTT.
HOLLYHOCK trying to break itself free off of Beach 10.
GOTT off of Beach 10.
Side view in the ice.
This morning, NEAH BAY departed it's base in Cleveland and headed eastbound, meeting up with the duo shortly after noon. In the meantime, CCGC GRIFFON and ALGOEAST passed the GOTT westbound, having a significantly easier time of the ice further north. After freeing HOLLYHOCK and GOTT, NEAH BAY is now proceeding westbound, leading the duo off of Conneaut, Ohio at this time. GOTT is bound for Detroit for fuel before heading to Two Harbors, Minnesota to load.
GOTT warms her engines at the Old Ore Dock at 1015 on Sunday morning.
Turning the corner at the Mountfort Terminal.
View from the North Pier.
Lined up for the channel.
In the channel.
View from the North Pier.
Another view.
Stern view.
Passing through the piers.
Outbound.
GOTT hits the ice.
North Pierhead lighthouse and EDWIN H. GOTT.
HOLLYHOCK trying to break itself free off of Beach 10.
GOTT off of Beach 10.
Side view in the ice.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
GOTT DEPARTS
USCGC HOLLYHOCK got underway and began breaking ice outside of Erie harbor this morning at 0800.
EDWIN H. GOTT departed her dock at 1020 on a morning more reminiscent of her arrival in January than a normal late March morning. GOTT was outbound at 1045 this morning and made quick work of the ice near the buoys.
Around that time, HOLLYHOCK got stuck on a pressure ridge off of Sunset Beach. The vessel attempted to deballast to free itself, to no avail. EDWIN H. GOTT slowly maneuvered into position and freed the HOLLYHOCK by 1300 today. The vessels are slowly working their way westbound on the lake at this time.
I will post photos on Monday.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
HOLLYHOCK STOPS; BREAKOUT TO BEGIN AT 0800
HOLLYHOCK stopped for the night at 1920 hours in a position about ten miles off of Erie. Breakout of the approach to Erie harbor for the departure of EDWIN H. GOTT will begin at 0800 Sunday and if all goes well GOTT will be departing sometime tomorrow morning.
HOLLYHOCK UNDERWAY FOR ERIE
USCGC HOLLYHOCK, which has spent the day assisting ALGOCANADA toward Nanticoke, called Sarnia Traffic a few minutes ago and informed Sarnia that the icebreaker is headed to Erie. HOLLYHOCK will assist EDWIN H. GOTT across the lake.
I will post updates as they become available.
Friday, March 21, 2014
GOTT, LAURENTIEN TO LEAVE
EDWIN H. GOTT is due to depart Erie mid-morning on Saturday. CSL LAURENTIEN is expect to depart sometime Saturday as well.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
LAURENTIEN, GOTT TO DEPART SATURDAY
In a sure sign of spring, CSL LAURENTIEN and EDWIN H. GOTT are both expected to depart Erie sometime on Saturday.
Watch Erie Shipping News for updates.
Watch Erie Shipping News for updates.
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