Boats sitting out in 2014

[Sampler]

Word is Pr Clarke will be sitting out this season for hull inspection, repairs and upgrades. When they docked at Escanaba for their last cargo, they had to delay loading for over 12 hrs to repair a split seam in the bow. The split seam was caused by the heavy ice encountered while docking on the south side of the Ore Dock; Gl Trader was loading on the north side.

[Denny]

Thanks for all the information gentleman on vessels fitting out for this season. So, the ACorn will be back out again sometime in 2014 which is interesting. I thought I read and heard a while ago that the Ken Boothe Sr./Lakes Contender were supposed to have been replacing the Cornelius. So if they bring the Cornelius back out again along with the Boland, what ASC boat will be handling the grain runs to Buffalo? Lately they have had American Mariner but, the Cornelius also did a few of these runs as well. Could they use both the Mariner and the Cornelius? The Cornelius is smaller though in size and that could make a small bit of difference.

[Sealer]

Boland is going in dock at fraser and will sail, Munson is finalizing and will sail. Not sure about the Clarke. Cornelius will also sail.

[Grizzly]

I spotted workers on the deck and pilothouse area of the Munson today. The pilothouse door was open for what its worth.

Tarps are also up on the stern and side section of the Republic while in dry dock.

[Guest]

Ok, so the new straight Decker's were designed to be more easily converted to self unloaders? Why didn't they just build self unloaders? The Edgar B Speer was built to be easily converted to a traditional tubular unloading boom but have they done it? No! What economic conditions would warrant Algoma to put self unloading gear on these new lakers? In my opinion, just build them as self unloaders from the start.

With the additional capacity offered by a straight decker outweighing the advantages of a self-unloader over longer distance routes, the decision to construct these ships in such a manner was probablydictated by the fleet's current requirements of a straight deck/self-unloader mix. If this balance shifts in the future, such reconstructions could be undertaken with the minimal costs associated. I work more in the aviation field, and there are several examples in which similar approaches have been done by both military and commercial customers in which an aircraft will be ordered incorporating certain design features that are unnecessary today, but anticipated to be needed in the future. It must be remembered also that a ship built for service on the Great Lakes is a long-term investment, with a lifespan in the Canadian flagged fleet of at least 30 to 40 years. Therefore it is prudent to build a ship that is adaptable to changing requirements. While there are examples of this (such as the Prairie Harvest), there have been other instances in which lake ships were built for too specific of purpose and were thus placed at a disadvantage when economic changes have occurred over the lifetime of the vessel. The Edward L. Ryerson demonstrates one such example. Built solely to haul iron ore, this ship's cargo hold configuration complicates a self-unloading conversion. Since the economic recession of the early 1980s, this ship has spent many years idle.

[Guest]

The Wheat Board has always required a certain tonnage in straight-deckers.

[Guest]

Ok, so the new straight Decker's were designed to be more easily converted to self unloaders? Why didn't they just build self unloaders? The Edgar B Speer was built to be easily converted to a traditional tubular unloading boom but have they done it? No! What economic conditions would warrant Algoma to put self unloading gear on these new lakers? In my opinion, just build them as self unloaders from the start.

[tugboat1947]

In a presentation by Capt O'Donahue at the ISMA convention on the construction of Algoma Equanox there are no shortcuts on quality and safety for the new Algoma boats some of the science and technology put into these vessels is amazing. Contrary to popular belief (me included) what goes into these boats is no inferior. The labor may be a lot less expensive but it is so inspected by designer owner and builder The Algoma boats are designed in Norway and built to every standard that is in effect today. Algoma switched builders after seeing the problems previous builds were having. To there credit Algoma will settle for nothing but the best the straight deckers coming out will be able to be converted to self-unloaders with very little changes to the capacity and capeability of the vessel. All in all I am am wondering if the antiquated Jones-Act is costing the American fleets ocean and freshwater the ability to compete world wide sometimes things need to change with the times.

Bruce Lolmaugh

[Quest]

Why is the Clark setting out 2014 ? Does this mean the Munson is going back to work.

[Guest]

I think what Brett is referencing is that American fleets are incentivized to rebuild thanks to the high cost of shipbuilding in this country and the Jones Act that mandates it take place here to protect what little infrastructure and skilled workers that are left in our shipbuilding industry.

With Canadian fleets on the other hand, despite places like Port Weller (Which even advertises on their site that they have the capability to build new lakers despite claims by Canadian fleets to the contrary when they were lobbying), have now gone off-shore for cheap new construction after a brief fling with major rebuildings and a long history of Canadian shipbuilding.

I think that there's little doubt that something like the Montrealais could keep sailing for years to come. In earlier years, if her capacity was needed, such a project would be viable such as repowering, renewing her ballast tanks, tank top renewal, or even a completely new midbody depending on what weaknesses were present and what she was needed for that dictated the scope of work.

Now, the economics dictate due to the lifting of the import tax to just buying fresh new Chinese construction and when 25-30 years have rolled buy, buy cheap new ones from shipyards in an oppressed land being paid a few cents to the dollar that Western workers could to replace vessels sailing our inland waterways.

That means we very well might have Canadian ships like the Assiniboine that are reaching something like 70 years of age at a time when these new builds are being scrapped after less than half that time.

That change is what he's lamenting and I think it's a valid one. I'd of much rather have seen Canadian subsidies like a few decades ago to make up the difference and have that activity taking place here.

[Guest]

American lakers don't generally go down the Seaway and the St. Lawrence, unlike Canadian lakers. That keeps their ballast tanks from rotting out, unlike Canadian ships where warm, humid, salty conditions in the ballast tanks after unloading rots them out. That's why Canadian lakers have short lives and has nothing to do with the Jones act.

[middlerouge]

Boland is in meaning that she will sail? I guess she will be getting a 5-year this winter then.

I think it means she's staying where she is. 'in' likely means she is staying in port this year

[Denny]

I hear you Brett as I cannot believe it myself that Algoma sent the Provider, Quebecois and soon to be Montrealais to scrap as it breaks my heart as well. I just wish that something could be done to bring back the Ryerson along with the ASC steamers and even the Sherwin. Other than in lay-up at Superior, I never got to see the Sherwin in her glory days when she sailed. Fortunately I got to see the Ryerson and the ASC steamers before they laid-up.

[mn brett]

We American's are so fortunate to Have the Jones act,We get a chance to keep These beautiful Vintage lakers,it just makes Me sick to see the Provider,Gordon C. Leitch and now The Quebecois being sent to the scrapers.

[tugboathunter]

Boland is in meaning that she will sail? I guess she will be getting a 5-year this winter then.

[ebs]

Clarke is out and Boland is in. Adam E. may fit out later.

[Denny]

What boats will be sitting out the 2014 season idled and will not be sailing this year? Besides the basic ASC steamers along with the Ryerson and Sherwin that probably will not be sailing this year. Also, I think the McKee Sons and Invincible will not be out and heard once that they may be finished. Will the John J. Boland be back out in 2014? Haven't heard too much mentioned on her and she has not sailed since the 2012 season. Any news, updates or information is appreciated. Thanks in advance.