Enbridge Line 5 Anchor Strike

[Jon Paul]

I'm not surprised they described it that way-its in the interest of the parties involved to downplay the situation.

The USCG is one of the parties involved and to iimpune their integrity does them a unfair diservice.
All pipeline status reports from ATC, Trans-Canada and Enbridge are reviewed and verified by USCG and the Michigan DEQ.
As to the ship that allegedly caused the damage, traffic has been light so far in the Straits and they are pretty certain on what day it happened so it shouldn't be difficult to narrow it down.
I agree with the last Guest post that this is rather an odd place to incur anchor damage. As he so correctly stated, there are several good safe anchorages within a 15 mile radius that are frequently used and the spot where the pipelines cross the Straits is a wide open and exposed area. It is also clearly marked on Nav charts and GPS chart plotters as an Anchorage Prohibited Zone.
A Severe Winter Storm Warning is now pending for the whole area with heavy snow, freezing rain and possible gale force winds through Monday putting any salvage operations on hold.
I have been told that the situation with the ATC utility line is stable and secure and that Enbridge Line 5 is in no danger at this time.
They are monitoring the situation 24/7 and continuous updates are coming into the Unified Command Center at my Hotel. Currently there are about 30+ people involved in oversight, management and salvage staying here.
I can assure you all parties involved are taking this VERY seriously!

[Guest]

I'd like to know the whole story because that seems like a poor location for a ship to anchor. The pipeline extends north from McGulpin Point west of the Mackinac Bridge and there's very little lee from west winds in that area. usually ships anchor east of the bridge near St. Ignance, Mackinaw Island, and Bois Blanc Island. It seems odd an anchor would be used in that area especially seeing mariners have know the line has been there for 65 years.

[LakeWatcher]

I know the article says the Coast Guard is not releasing the name of the suspected ship/company, but is there any indication in the Boatnerd world as to who it might be?

[Ben]

I'm not surprised they described it that way-its in the interest of the parties involved to downplay the situation.

[Jon Paul]

The US Coast Guard and representatives of the various pipeline companies involved have a Unified Command Center in the main conference room here at my Hotel in Mackinaw City.
The situation was described to me as a "slight dimple" in the casing on Line 5 and in no way endangers the integrity of the line.
They are being very careful not to use the word "anchor" in attributing to the cause of both lines being effected but are saying that it appears ship related...whatever that means.

[Guest]

http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/201 ... ed_entries


It seems someone hit the line with an anchor.