American Spirit problem

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Re: American Spirit problem

by hausen » June 19, 2018, 2:16 pm

Ray wrote:...amazingly strong current running into the harbor - I would guess it at at least 8 miles per hour - faster than most people can run. Looked like a boiling rapids where the channel opened up into the harbor. And watched a very suprised comorrant take the whitewater ride of his life. :) But shortly after the American Spirit went aground and the bridge came back down, the current was running about as fast in the other direction. Wasn't really a wind before the storm, not really sure what was screwing with the currents today, but it was odd.
Wondering if this wasn't a minor seiche running into and back out of the harbor.

Re: American Spirit problem

by Guest » June 18, 2018, 11:38 am

Sorry, you are right garbear. I had my "Americans" mixed up, it was the American Integrity that was making its way under the bridge.

Re: American Spirit problem

by garbear » June 18, 2018, 9:56 am

Guest wrote:As 940 EST 06-18-18, the American Spirit appears to have been freed according to AIS as it is moving in Duluth/Superior harbor it is about to pass beneath the Blatnik Bridge. Must be going to a dock for inspection. I don't know if Fraser can handle a ship that size. Where it grounded is mostly mud, I believe, so there should not be any significant damage.
Looking at AIS after the American Spirit was freed she went directly to the Port Terminal, not under the Blatnik Bridge.

Re: American Spirit problem

by Guest » June 18, 2018, 8:48 am

As 940 EST 06-18-18, the American Spirit appears to have been freed according to AIS as it is moving in Duluth/Superior harbor it is about to pass beneath the Blatnik Bridge. Must be going to a dock for inspection. I don't know if Fraser can handle a ship that size. Where it grounded is mostly mud, I believe, so there should not be any significant damage.

Re: American Spirit problem

by Ray » June 17, 2018, 9:33 pm

We were out there on the breakwater just before the storm hit - amazingly strong current running into the harbor - I would guess it at at least 8 miles per hour - faster than most people can run. Looked like a boiling rapids where the channel opened up into the harbor. And watched a very suprised comorrant take the whitewater ride of his life. :) But shortly after the American Spirit went aground and the bridge came back down, the current was running about as fast in the other direction. Wasn't really a wind before the storm, not really sure what was screwing with the currents today, but it was odd.

But listening to radio conversation inside the museum, it sounded like the American Spirit got a wild ride from the inbound current. Not sure that they initially knew they were aground, as the initial conversation with the bridge was to back up and try lining up again. My wife was out in the car parked in the lot by the back of the Pallucci building and had a front row seat the the grounding. Unfortunately I had the camera with me in the museum at the time.

Re: American Spirit problem

by Brett mn » June 17, 2018, 7:04 pm

Last Week the Presque Isle struggled to make it out!,this Morning the Tugs pulling The American Victory had a hard time keeping it straight while leaving the Channel,The Spirit is sitting with the Coast Guard so they must have touched bottom,they dropped the anchor to help stop it so it didn't hit the wall,its still there and the American Integrity is anchored outside the The entrance,I think there's a very strong current,that is causing all the problems!,it seems strange the river should flow out of the channel,so the Boats should flow with the rush!,but they are being pushed hard to the left,and being pushed away from the exit,the same each time!,like the current is running hard cross ways from the entrance to the North,and pushing them away from the Exit of the Channel?

Re: American Spirit problem

by Judie » June 17, 2018, 5:28 pm

Yes, 15ft from wall. Dropped anchor, also grounded. No damage

Re: American Spirit problem

by Darryl » June 17, 2018, 5:27 pm

She stopped about 25 feet from the wall. Later, another ASC footer was coming in but made an abrupt turn to port, maybe because the bridge wasn't up.

Re: American Spirit problem

by JohnH » June 17, 2018, 5:25 pm

Here is a pix about 5:15 PM. Looks like he missed the wall by about 30 feet. I would guess that he will sit until the CG does some inspection for possible damage or fuel leakage. Besides full reverse, he had his stern anchor out when he tried to stop.
Attachments
AmSpirit2.jpg

Re: American Spirit problem

by ZenithBoatWatcher » June 17, 2018, 5:01 pm

ckoster wrote:Do you know if they were able to stop before the wall?
Yes, she did not hit the wall, she is currently grounded from what I hear.

Re: American Spirit problem

by garbear » June 17, 2018, 4:56 pm

ckoster wrote:Do you know if they were able to stop before the wall?
Read on one of the Facebook pages I'm on they missed the wall by 20 ft.

Re: American Spirit problem

by Pat » June 17, 2018, 4:50 pm

They stopped short by about 35 feet. Aground now on the mucky bottom.

Re: American Spirit problem

by Randy S » June 17, 2018, 4:00 pm

I've been watching and have not noticed any assist vessels responding. Perhaps she was hit by lightning and lost some electronic control?

Re: American Spirit problem

by ckoster » June 17, 2018, 3:45 pm

Do you know if they were able to stop before the wall?

American Spirit problem

by JohnH » June 17, 2018, 3:16 pm

She went way off course heading out the Duluth Entry Sunday afternoon, likely due to heavy thunderstorm winds. Check duluthharborcam.com for updates.
Attachments
AmSpirit.jpg

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