Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Guest wrote: June 11, 2024, 6:37 am An even older vessel to replace this one? After the El Faro, old ships have been under greater scrutiny.

Once they up the amount of steel renewals required to keep these aged ships in service, the economics won't work. And the insurance companies can't be too pleased either.

The American Valor has been in long term layup since 2008 (16 yrs) and the Michipicoten has been running the short Lakehead to the Soo run on a regular basis over the years which takes its toll.
I'm curious if all the extra docking and breaking ice over the years created a weak spot in the hull

No doubt she'll get patched up, the real question is will she be allowed to sail again. US and Canadian Coast Guards are going to be looking at this incident along with Transport Canada and they all may have something to say about letting her off the dock again. By all accounts that are coming out now, this was very nearly a sinking but for 1 operational ballast pump barely keeping up with the flooding long enough for them to reach shore. Being that this is the 3rd major vessel casualty for Lower Lakes/Rand this year you have to think the authorities are going to be taking a good hard look at how they are operating.

Then theres the crew to consider, I for one would not want to get back aboard a boat in that kind of condition.

How about loading out of Two Harbors where they loaded for this trip... When Escanaba was operating, sometimes they could take on a lot of extra tonnage for that short run down Lake Michigan to the Harbor.

Darryl1 wrote: ↑June 10, 2024, 4:22 pm
With a 4 meter structural crack being reported as the damage, one has to wonder how deep the hull has been loaded for these runs just on Superior. Could it had been loaded down to 30 feet of draft...

Duluth-Superior harbor depths are generally 22-27 feet, so no 30 foot drafts there....

I doubt they have the capital to be a a Ford to repair it, if that is possible. It would be a drydock job and rand doesn't own one. The only other possible answer is reflag a grand river vessel.

Mn bob wrote: June 10, 2024, 11:32 pm So this could maybe spell the end of the line for the michipicoton? If so maybe they will bring out the American valor to replace her, just a thought

Don't count the old girl out yet! Think about the many accidents, collisions and mishaps that have been repaired that have happened through time. They can do amazing stuff with steel. The only thing I can think of that might send her to the boneyard would be if it wasn't economically feasible to run it again. She has been a workhorse for them, and I may be wrong but I think she'll sail again, they need the tonnage for their contracts.

Darryl1 wrote: June 10, 2024, 4:22 pm With a 4 meter structural crack being reported as the damage, one has to wonder how deep the hull has been loaded for these runs just on Superior. Could it had been loaded down to 30 feet of draft...

Duluth-Superior harbor depths are generally 22-27 feet, so no 30 foot drafts there....

One full year younger !

An even older vessel to replace this one? After the El Faro, old ships have been under greater scrutiny.

Once they up the amount of steel renewals required to keep these aged ships in service, the economics won't work. And the insurance companies can't be too pleased either.

So this could maybe spell the end of the line for the michipicoton? If so maybe they will bring out the American valor to replace her, just a thought

This ship is over 70 years old . Everything has an end . Too bad but there will be other occurrences . Just hoping no life will be lost . This time the weather was fine but it is not always the case . Class and coast guard inspections will be more stringent from now on .

The TDSB released a statement today that divers found a 13 foot crack in the hull which is likely due to structural failure.

With a 4 meter structural crack being reported as the damage, one has to wonder how deep the hull has been loaded for these runs just on Superior. Could it had been loaded down to 30 feet of draft...

I am leaning more towards a structural failure for the Michipicoten incident. What is there in that area of the lake that they could have hit? The vessel itself has been in service for many years. I would be interested in when it's last survey was done and what, if any, defects were found. The lakes can take a toll on the condition of these ships.

Could they not see something as big as a buoy on radar ?

The incident does appear to have happened in that vicinity. The Michipicoten's track appears to have gone between the charted locations of the NOAA and University of Minnesota weather buoys. But perhaps one was off station. The NOAA buoy is still providing real time data. Unsure of the U of Mn buoy.

However there is something like 6.5 nautical miles between the buoys. It seems like they would have had to have been really off station to have been hit.

From there AIS track it would appear they hit the weather buoy

It is currently (9 pm) docked in Thunder Bay. Ontario Shipyards (former Heddle) closed their yard in Thunder Bay, but dockside repairs might be available.

What port would the Michipicoten be heading to for repairs? One would think either Thunder Bay or Fraser in Superior... These would be the closest.