Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Duluth Guest wrote:Some information regarding extent of the damage can be gleaned from the presentation here:

http://www.rrt5.org/Portals/0/docs/ROGE ... %20RRT.pdf

In reading about the flooded areas up forward, I think if I was told to go down and work as a gateman to unload the boat, I would want some sort of hazard pay. But maybe the gates on the Blough can be run from above?? Actually, I think in a catastrophic emergency, you don't get overtime.

Rob wrote:Did anyone lose their job? I can't imagine the captain got off easy in that one.

I don't know if anyone's license was suspended but one of the primary responsibilities of a licensed deck officer is knowing at all times the position of your ship and the depth of the water around it. The report states that they were overtaking a ship under tow. One would think that a quick look at the GPS/Chart Plotter would have clearly shown that there was a dangerous shoaling area on their port side adjacent to Gros Cap Lt. Any course change to port should have been scrutinized thoroughly before any action was taken.
This was not a minor mistake but rather a major miscalculation during optimum conditions..a clear day, unlimited visibility, light winds.

Did the grounding not happen on the 1st mates watch (4 to 8)?

Some information regarding extent of the damage can be gleaned from the presentation here:

http://www.rrt5.org/Portals/0/docs/ROGE ... %20RRT.pdf

Seems to me I recall an article in the Duluth News Tribune which may have been posted here on boatnerd as well describing along with talking about the grounding. It mentioned the pricetag for the repairs which was around $4-5 million I believe it was? As we all have said and agree upon, "GLF was very fortunate and lucky that it wasn't worse than it was." I also agree with you all that GLF was indeed lucky that the weather was favorable and that it wasn't in the storm season and they were also lucky when they transferred that cargo to her fleetmates, that nothing happened to them as well regarding any groundings or storms popping up while that was going on. Give GLF credit as they knew what they were doing guess you could say when they transferred her cargo and got her into Sturgeon Bay for the repairs. Just glad she is still sailing today!

It was mentioned on here that he is no longer captain.

Did anyone lose their job? I can't imagine the captain got off easy in that one.

Very fortunate that it happened at a time of year with generally good weather. Not difficult to see how this situation could have ended up like the Frontenac, or worse, the Canadian Miner, if the grouding had happened at a more storm-prone time of the year.

To my knowledge, there hasn't been an official report issued of the grounding and the extent of the damage to the vessel. Nor has there been official report detailing the cause of the grounding or detailing blame.

That said, I have been privy to some details which I will not share on here, especially as far as blame goes. What I will share is that the damage was pretty extreme from what I was told. Off loading cargo was very difficult due to the list, and took much longer than might have been otherwise expected.

A lot of work was done while she was on the reef as well as while she was anchorage above the locks to survey the vessel's stability for transit to Bay Shipbuilding. Several generators and additional pumps were added to insure it would make the journey. That is a serious tribute to GLF in making sure one of their best boats stayed in the fleet as a money make for them for years to come.

Has anyone sailing aboard the Roger Blough noticed if the ship handles any differently following its grounding last year? It seems like it received pretty heavy damage, and I know from experience with cars that after such incidents there can be little vibrations and the such despite repairs.

Secondly, how bad was this damage? Was it close to being a constructive loss?

Luckily they were able to make a transit of the locks to reach Bay Shipbuilding, had they not been able to do that, what options would have GLF had? There is not dry dock on Lake Superior capable of handling a ship that size.