Algoma Harvester Updates

[tugboat 1947]

This has been discussed the answer is yes. At the ISMA convention a presentation on the building of these new boats was given by Algoma representatives. They didn't say why they didn't install a un loader originally but insisted that they are and will be converted maybe cost of the owners Canadian Wheat Board don't require them so they didn't spent the money. Any so many new innovations such as epoxy paint virtually nothing sticks to the metal surfaces a neat idea nothing new just cool .......

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[TWilush]

She will be here until at least this evening, one crane working only and slow unloading. No deal for Saturday.

[Denny]

Is it too early to tell and predict when she will be passing through both the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers? On the News Page, it says that she is expected to depart Hamilton sometime on July 18 after she unloads her ore cargo. I was guessing and thinking that she may pass through Detroit and Port Huron sometime on Saturday but I may be overstretching that one. If anyone has an estimate to when she may pass by both Detroit and Port Huron areas it would be very appreciative. Hoping to see and photograph her. Thanks for any help and information.

[Denny]

It has already been mentioned in the past especially since late last year in 2013 that at least both the Algoma Equinox along with possibly the Algoma Harvester may someday be converted from a gearless bulker into a self-unloader similar to how Atlantic Huron was built as the Prairie Harvest in the 1980s. Many have said to look at the front of the pilothouse on the new Equinox-class ships and you will see sort of void area below the pilothouse that could house a self-unloader conversion project someday. I would not be surprised to see it happen someday but, only time will tell and we will have to wait and see on that note.

[astz]

while we will have to wait a long time to find out it will be interesting to watch the lifespan of these boats compared to the domestic built tonnage that preceded them. And also what the return to the owners will be over the comparative lifespans.

[Guest]

HPA's site has them moored at pier 26. Maybe that's where they'll do the christening before unloading. It's a nicer environment for dignitaries than the ore dock at Dofasco.

[Guest1]

Her AIS time is UTC so it's 1400 EDT

[Guest]

As of 4:45 p.m. on July 14, she is now clear of the Eisenhower Lock at 1549 and has an ETA for Call In Point 10/11 of 1650 hours and an ETA for the Iroquois Lock today at 1810 hours on July 14. As Guest mentioned, HPA website has them due on July 15 with an ETA of about 1200 or noon.

HPA updated ETA to 1430 today.

Interestingly, AIS has the ETA at 1800 and the Algoma vessel passage page says 1500.

[Guest]

As of 4:45 p.m. on July 14, she is now clear of the Eisenhower Lock at 1549 and has an ETA for Call In Point 10/11 of 1650 hours and an ETA for the Iroquois Lock today at 1810 hours on July 14. As Guest mentioned, HPA website has them due on July 15 with an ETA of about 1200 or noon.

HPA updated ETA to 1430 today.

[amherst1]

After the Christening of the harvester, is there a scheduled departure time for the canal and if so, has Algoma tentatively scheduled a time to arrive in Thunder Bay?.

[Denny]

As of 4:45 p.m. on July 14, she is now clear of the Eisenhower Lock at 1549 and has an ETA for Call In Point 10/11 of 1650 hours and an ETA for the Iroquois Lock today at 1810 hours on July 14. As Guest mentioned, HPA website has them due on July 15 with an ETA of about 1200 or noon.

[Guest]

HPA has update ETA Hamilton to July 15 at 1200

[Denny]

As of 2:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 14 here is where we stand now with her progress and transit. At 1324 she cleared Call In Point 8A at 1324 and had an ETA for Snell Lock Lower Wall of 1343 and is due at the Eisenhower Lock at 1456 and Iroquois Lock at 1800 at the present time. With good lighting hopefully today and lots of sunshine, it should make for some good photo opps hopefully and I can't wait to see those photos of the Algoma Harvester sometime!

[Denny]

Latest updates on their transit shows that they are clear and also passed by Call In Point 6/7 at 1005 and have a present ETA for Call In Point 8 at 1153. Their ETA for the Eisenhower Lock is also at 1356 on July 14. Get your cameras ready boatnerds and heads up in Hamilton as well! I can't wait to see some photos of her on her first trip and visit as well.

[Denny]

It is now official boatnerds, she has officially entered the Seaway for the very first time in her career! She was at Call In Point #2 at 2238 and has an ETA for the St. Lambert Lock Lower Wall at about 2257 and an overall ETA for the St. Lambert Lock as well for 2259 tonight. So, get your cameras ready tomorrow boatnerds as it will be a daylight transit through most of the Seaway above Montreal tomorrow! Heads up in Hamilton as well as it will not be much longer now before you be seeing her soon! Welcome home and welcome to Canada Algoma Harvester. 3L and 2S to you and your captain and crew. As a side note, the Algoma Equinox is also downbound in the Seaway and is at or near the Beauharnois Lock and should be passing the Harvester somewhere as well tonight. Too bad it is at night and not daytime as that would've made for a neat photo op and passing of the first two Equinox-class vessels!

[Denny]

Ah, tugboat 1947 but my fun has not even yet started for 2014 as I have only been out to the river a mere handful of times far less than what I was in 2013. Too many things to list as to why but, hoping that 2015 is the year I get back there more than 2014. By the way no I did not see Algoma Montrealais today and as I have mentioned before, hope to see and photograph her in the fall sometime. I am waiting for the fall grain rush along with lots more traffic, salties and boats carrying grain. The only thing is the days are too short though but, better than nothing. 3L 2S to you as well tugboat 1947.

[tugboat 1947]

Denny you must be having as much fun as I am. Hope you could get shots of the Montraelais or anyone else please post,,, I am going to be in Port Huron Monday 21 or Tuesday 22 would like to get together your name rings a bell I grew up and lived in St Clair Shores till 99

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[Denny]

As of 2:50 p.m. E.D.T. they are well clear of Sorel, Quebec and now nearing Lanoraie, Quebec sorry for any mis-spelling on my end and part. The Port of Montreal's website is now updated and has her for an arrival today July 13 at 1700 hours. So, it would now seem that she will be transiting through the Seaway system above Montreal probably sometime tomorrow. Get your cameras ready boatnerds and heads up in Hamilton for you Hamilton folks as well as she is on her way and heading your way as well.

[Denny]

Port of Hamilton's website is now updated with their pending ETA and arrival for July 15 at 0800 hours unloading their cargo at Pier 21 or the ArcelorMittal Dofasco Steel Dock and also arriving from Port Cartier where they loaded from. They have not shown up yet on the Seaway's website however, I expect that before days end they should be on the website sometime. Can someone please post some pictures of her to boatnerd if anyone is lucky and also fortunate enough to see her either today or tomorrow? I can't wait myself to see and photograph her for the very first time.

[Denny]

As of 11:15 a.m. E.D.T. they are nearing Trois Rivieres, Quebec heading for Hamilton to unload their first cargo of iron ore pellets. Their ETA is still tentative for July 15 at 1200 arriving in Hamilton.