Boatnerd Discussion Forum

With less cargoes to carry why worry about the valor?

Mn bob wrote: June 23, 2024, 10:09 am So if the michipicoton doesn’t pass inspection and never sails again and just say they were going to try and get the valor ready to sail someday couldnt they use the engine from the michipicoton and put it in the valor?

Interesting point, but the Valor likely would not sail until Spring 2025, at best. In the meantime, Lower Lakes would likely have to use a Grand River boat to take up the slack left by the loss of the Michipicoten, but what would Grand River then do with regards to their tonnage commitments? Best bet might be to make arrangements with Algoma and use, say the Algoma Compass, to move Michipicoten's loads for the rest of the year. That said, what's the status of the Cuyahoga? Is it finished or does Lower Lakes plan to return her to service. Mind you, it's not a large as the Michipicoten, but it is something, just the same. Just some thoughts.

So if the michipicoton doesn’t pass inspection and never sails again and just say they were going to try and get the valor ready to sail someday couldnt they use the engine from the michipicoton and put it in the valor?

With her on drydock the rocket scientists can determine if it is economical to repair it or scrap it. What's that ole but true saying. A ship owners misfortune is a ship yards good fortune. If it cost to much to repair it probably mckeil or perhaps purvis will tow it to MRC in port colborne. It will be from an American port to a Canadian port. Lowest bidder gets the prize

Guest wrote: June 21, 2024, 9:05 pm

Guest wrote: June 21, 2024, 10:35 am This vessel is 1952 built and now 72 years old and i for 1 would not want to sail on this ship especially in heavy seas it should be scrapped before another Fitz type disaster happens.

Ships, even brand new ships, have suffered stress fractures before. Let the engineers, shipyard, and such do their job.

If she's repaired and deemed structualy sound, she'll be back out. If she's not, the Boatnerds can then rejoice that there's one less classic out there sailing.

Except finite element analysis of a ship's structure can tell the owner that the steel can only take so many bends/deflections till it cracks.

This was a big deal with tankers running to Alaska in the 90's. In fact, one entire class of large tankers were retired early for that very reason.

Guest wrote: June 21, 2024, 9:05 pm

Guest wrote: June 21, 2024, 10:35 am This vessel is 1952 built and now 72 years old and i for 1 would not want to sail on this ship especially in heavy seas it should be scrapped before another Fitz type disaster happens.

Ships, even brand new ships, have suffered stress fractures before. Let the engineers, shipyard, and such do their job.

If she's repaired and deemed structualy sound, she'll be back out. If she's not, the Boatnerds can then rejoice that there's one less classic out there sailing.

Except finite element analysis of a ship's structure can tell the owner that the steel can only take so many bends/deflections till it cracks.

This was a big deal with tankers running to Alaska in the 90's. In fact, one entire class of large tankers were retired early for that very reason.

Denny wrote: June 21, 2024, 2:14 pm Is it possible, they could turn her into a self-unloading barge perhaps? Just a thought and an idea I had was all.

Why would they do that? Her engine is fine

Guest wrote: June 21, 2024, 10:35 am This vessel is 1952 built and now 72 years old and i for 1 would not want to sail on this ship especially in heavy seas it should be scrapped before another Fitz type disaster happens.

Ships, even brand new ships, have suffered stress fractures before. Let the engineers, shipyard, and such do their job.

If she's repaired and deemed structualy sound, she'll be back out. If she's not, the Boatnerds can then rejoice that there's one less classic out there sailing.

Is it possible, they could turn her into a self-unloading barge perhaps? Just a thought and an idea I had was all.

This vessel is 1952 built and now 72 years old and i for 1 would not want to sail on this ship especially in heavy seas it should be scrapped before another Fitz type disaster happens.

No they won’t scrap her at fraser, they don’t do that there. Years ago azcon inDuluth used to scrap ships but not much going on over there after they scraped the jb ford, they would send her to mrc in port colborne more than likely if they decide to scrap her.

Guest wrote: June 20, 2024, 2:30 pm Does the shipyard at Superior Fraser have the ability to scrap her there?

Why does it matter? She's going there for repairs.

Guest wrote: June 20, 2024, 2:30 pm Does the shipyard at Superior Fraser have the ability to scrap her there?

Isn't this a little bit premature at this point? But I do believe Fraser did, however, scrap the former Cleveland Cliffs bulk carrier Frontenac following its grounding at Silver Bay, Minnesota, in late 1979.

Does the shipyard at Superior Fraser have the ability to scrap her there?

Guest wrote: June 17, 2024, 10:40 am Question I had regarding Hull insurance - since this was not an accident, does the Insurance company pay? They don't pay if a bulkhead rusts away or if steel needs to be replaced due to erosion.

Is it like homeowners insurance that only pays for certain events not something like a sewer line failing?

Regarding insurance would other shipping companies have any recourse to collect on lost time in connection to this incident such as Great Lakes Fleet's Edwin H. Gott? Could the fleet have a claim to recover any financial loss due to the delay of their vessel or is it just considered the cost of doing business? I don't mean to infer that any mariner would consider such an issue during an emergency situation but was just wondering how this is accounted for financially.

It's about 8:45 the morning of June 20 and the MICHIPICOTEN appears to be heading south from TB under its own power. Destination on its AIS is Superior Fraser. Tug HELEN H. is northbound, heading in MICHIPICOTEN's direction. Perhaps going to escort the ship to Superior.

Guest wrote: June 19, 2024, 3:45 am

Guest wrote: June 17, 2024, 10:15 am Are there any steam engineers available to run the Valor if she was to be returned to service?

If they keep her American Flag and with an AMO contract you could find some. I worked her sister, the SS Reserve, back in 2006. I love rotary cup burners!! :)

No dice, Grand River is MMP. Having worked for them I'm surprised they're a union shop at all the way they operate.

The Michipicoten has just left Thunder Bay under her own power, heading for Duluth. Her AIS shows an arrival time of midnight, June 21. The tug Glenada is escorting her for the first portion of the trip. The tug Helen H will be meeting her partway through the trip to escort her the rest of the way.

Safe travels to all!

Not sure how much it would cost but it probably would take months to get her up and running, not only if they repower her but she probably needs some steel work done and if I recall correctly it seems to me they were taking parts off of her for other ships that were similar over the last several years.

What would the approximate cost be to re power the Valor and how long would it take?

Michipicoten suffered her hull fracture in calm seas it's a warning for an ancient boat that in my opinion it should be scrapped.