Boatnerd Discussion Forum

In looking and viewing at the AIS maps on boatnerd, it now would appear the Algoma Bear was in Goderich waiting for the Algoma Innovator to depart. Now I see that the Innovator is in Sarnia at the Government Dock in what I assume then is for lay up? They are currently next to the Algoma Intrepid which is in layup at the Government Dock.

ChrisW wrote: February 11, 2025, 11:48 am To set the record straight: the Sifto Goderich mine is the largest salt mine in the world.
The production in Detroit and Windsor is FAR less than that of Goderich. The Detroit
operation is tiny compared to what they do in Goderich.

Chris W, sorry for my ignorance. I'm originally from Windsor, but it's been over forty years since I've been back. My boat watching days go to 1959, but I've been physically away from the Lakes since 1978. Even though I've sailed on the Lakes (including a stint aboard the Ashland of Oglebay Norton), time has dulled my recollections on the finer points of day-to-day Great Lakes activities. Thanks so much for the correction.

Also, the mines in Goderich go out several miles then into Lake Huron as well. One question I have, the Algoma Bear I see arrived in Goderich on February 10. From the AIS map on boatnerd they are not at the salt dock and the ship loader as it appears they are at the North Dock then I think it would be? Is the Algoma Bear then in layup status in Goderich or are they waiting perhaps possibly then for the Algoma Innovator to load and depart from the salt dock and ship loader? Any information is appreciated and thanks in advance as well.

To set the record straight: the Sifto Goderich mine is the largest salt mine in the world.
The production in Detroit and Windsor is FAR less than that of Goderich. The Detroit
operation is tiny compared to what they do in Goderich.

Algowest or anyone else, do you know how much longer the loadings in Goderich will continue then as far as for this Winter? In years past it seems that they would end and stop sometime in February possibly into the first week of March. I’ve seen it like this often where a ship would layup for a brief short period of time, later to be back out and loading from Goderich and moving around again then at that point. I could easily see the Algoma Intrepid then coming back out to haul salt while either the Bear or the Innovator goes into layup for a while.

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. I was wondering about frozen salt and ice build-up, but was not aware of problems with salt supplies and local tugs. I have noticed some back up of ships during the regular navigation season. If memory serves, I don't think Goderich salt operations are as big as those at Windsor and Detroit.

This time of year, there's more factors that come into play on ship movements.
I know west winds packed in ice into Goderich recently, but that appears to have lessened.
Also, I believe the local tug Ocean Simard was down for a period of time also, but appears to be back active.
So, icebreaking availability & weather could have contributed to delays.
Haven't heard anything on the salt mine/loading delays, but in years past, when there's been consecutive ships at the dock, that's been a factor.

They have been low on product. I was there a few days ago and there were probably about 30 trucks lined up down the street waiting to load. I heard a mine worker tell one of the truck drivers that they were out of salt.

Can anyone tell me why it takes so long to load in Goderich? If memory serves, the Algoma Innovator, for example, has been sitting there for two or three days now. Only thing I can think of is something with the salt or mine is slowing things down.