St. Marys River Closed March 28, 2024

[Ohio Bob]

Guest - thanks for the photo. It looks a little out of plumb. Since you saw it first hand, were you able to see any further signs of damage to the light?

[Luth]

Thanks, Mr. Link. Regardless of the circumstances, hitting that tower would have done some damage.

Here’s a link to the picture of the tower…
https://www.ibiblio.org/lighthouse/phot ... n_MIUP.jpg

[Guest]

Took a picture going by upbound.

[Denny]

That was the Buffalo now the Algoma Buffalo that you are referring to years ago that hit the Detroit River Light causing extensive bow damage and needing repairs in Toledo then. However, in April 2000 the American Mariner did collide with and hit Light #7 while they were downbound on Lake Huron. This caused traffic to come to a standstill and halt then for several days. Finally, the Adam E. Cornelius now the Algoma Compass was summoned in to take on some of the American Mariner’s cargo then. There should be a write up about that in the Fleet Photo Gallery on the American Mariner and as you referenced earlier on the Buffalo as well. Both ships had major bow damage done to them when those two hit and collided with the lights. Thankfully and fortunately nobody was hurt or injured in any of these events.

[Marc]

Does anybody know what really happened? Was it mechanical? With all the radar and electronic equipment these ships have I wouldn’t think they would hit anything. Didn’t this ship hit the Detroit river light years ago and do a lot of damage to the bow of the ship and they fixed it in Toledo at the drydock.

On April 28, 2000, the American Mariner struck Light No. 7 in the Lake Huron Cut and ran aground while approaching the mouth of the St. Clair River. The incident was caused by a loss of steering, and resulted in multiple gashes in the hull. She was lightered into her fleetmate Adam E. Cornelius {4} and was taken to Toledo, Ohio for drydocking and repairs. The grounding caused the U.S. Coast Guard to close the St. Clair river to traffic, delaying almost 25 vessels.

[Guest]

That was the Buffalo that hit Detroit river light. Sometime in late 70s. Maybe 1997. The Indiana harbor hit lansing shoal light also sometime in the 90s.

[Mn bob]

Does anybody know what really happened? Was it mechanical? With all the radar and electronic equipment these ships have I wouldn’t think they would hit anything. Didn’t this ship hit the Detroit river light years ago and do a lot of damage to the bow of the ship and they fixed it in Toledo at the drydock.

[Mr Link]

How big is the Mud Lake Junction light? I tried to find a picture of it, but no luck. Was it just a casualty of the ship losing power, or is it large enough to actually cause damage if struck?

This site (link below) states that it is about 12 m in diameter, with the light mounted roughly 15 m above the water . Also called Munuscong Junction Light https://www.ibiblio.org/lighthouse/miup.htm

[BeeZee]

As of March 30 at 3:30pm EST, the American Mariner is still in the St.Mary's river near Lime Island. Appears to be anchored with the tug W I Scott Purvis close by. This is on Marine Traffic.

[Luth]

How big is the Mud Lake Junction light? I tried to find a picture of it, but no luck. Was it just a casualty of the ship losing power, or is it large enough to actually cause damage if struck?

[Denny]

If they are headed downbound, then I suppose that they would probably head for repairs most likely at Sturgeon Bay probably? Not a good way to start the shipping season for them. Hope that they get any repair work they need to have done soon and it don’t take too long and then they’ll eventually return to service again in 2024.

[Guest]

It looks like the American Mariner is on the move downbound.

[guest]

Going to be a good time for boat watching when they get the river open.

[Guest]

🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️ again? That’s too many mishaps for her recently. Just had extensive $ repairs over the winter.

[Mr Link]

The St. Marys River is currently closed from 9 Mile Point to Point Aux Frenes due to a "marine casualty to a commercial vessel". AIS show the American Mariner out of the channel in the area. It was headed upbound before crossing over the downbound channel.

The Purvis tugs W I Scott Purvis and Anglian Lady are downbound above Neebish Island, possibly responding to the incident.

Check the Boatnerd news later for updates and more information as it becomes available.