Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Seems like a bit of a stretch to say that the Kaministiqua has a long-term future. She just passed her survey so seems relatively safe for the next 5 or 6 years if demand justifies her use.

But at the same time she's old, she's spent a ton of time in salt water, has gone through the Welland and Seaway canals many times, almost all of her stablemates went to the razorblade factory a good number of years ago, and Lower Lakes was doing to the bare minimum maintenance to keep her certified which could easily start catching up with her.

Of course I suppose at her age and with nearly all 1980's era Canadian Seawaymax vessels having gone to their maker, 5 seemingly secure years ahead of her could qualify as long-term.

I wonder if the sale of the Lower Lakes Towing fleet by Mainstay Marine to Algoma Central, had a requirement by the Canadian Competition Bureau to sell off one of the LLT ships to another operator. And that may be the reason why McKeil Marine was able to purchase the Manitoulin.

The manitoulin came out of dry dock still painted gray. Mckeil will likely keep the same name. After all scot bravener was the person who named her, and he now the president of mckeil, but that subject to change.

This move makes no sense from Algoma's perspective, as far as I can tell. It may be true that Algoma only wanted LLT's contracts, but a lot of LLT's work involved river-class vessels and markets. Algoma has just two modern river-class ships (Innovator, Intrepid) and the aging Algoma Buffalo serving that market. Perhaps they do plan to use the Pierson and Saginaw in the short term, but they won't last long.

It is also very surprising to see Algoma allowing a competitor to acquire a modern and useful vessel - specifically McKeil which is run by Scott Bravener, the same person who largely built LLT. I remember not that long ago that Algoma was very careful to keep the James Norris out of LLT's hands when they sold it for scrap. Maybe there is a side of it I'm not seeing, but this is definitely confusing based on Algoma's history.

Will be curious to see what names McKeil may have as far as any renames for her? They already have the names Northern Venture and now the Ontario Venture for their newest & latest vessel. I wonder if Manitoulin will get painted this year at some point now that she’s owned my McKeil? She should look really sharp in McKeil’s hull colors for a while at least. When I first read and heard that she was acquired by McKeil, I was not surprised at all by this move and IMO at least it makes perfect sense! You figure, McKeil already has two vessels now in their fleet with forward mounted self-unloading booms and now to add the Manitoulin to their fleet to me anyway just seems to make perfect sense. She is I think considered a “river-class” type of vessel and their other two the Northern & Ontario Venture are also in the River-Class category as well. So, I think that this move will work out very well for McKeil in the end and she should make a great edition to the McKeil fleet and in turn I’m sure that McKeil knows what they’re doing as far as getting her then. This is just my thoughts and opinions only on this though and nothing further than that!

This morning, she was moved out of the dry dock at Sturgeon Bay

Definitely beyond a doubt now that Algoma wanted the contracts. Of the LLT fleet, the only 2 that seem to have viable long term futures were the Manitoulin and the Kam. Saginaw is 74 years old and is the last remaining hatch farm lake boat. RSP seemed to require a significant amount of work to pass her last survey so I'd imagine she is quite ripe. Michipicoten I assume Algoma is going to rid themselves of that one very fast, same with the Valo.

algowest wrote: March 26, 2026, 10:53 pm Surprised by this also, but this may highlight how Algoma's purchase was more about buying LLT's contracts (mostly stone now, I believe) and less about needing all their ships.

I agree with your assessment on the primary purpose of Algoma acquiring LLT was to obtain that company's hauling contracts. I don't see much of a future for any of the former LLT vessels. Perhaps, a few may be lucky to end up being sold for further use.

Surprised by this also, but this may highlight how Algoma's purchase was more about buying LLT's contracts (mostly stone now, I believe) and less about needing all their ships.

The transport Canada website now shows the owner of the manitoulin to be Mckei Marine. A little surprised algoma did not keep her as she is the newest in the LLT fleet