New Algoma vessel breaks port record on maiden voyage to Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay, ON – Algoma Central Corporation recently took delivery of its newest Equinox Class gearless dry-bulk carrier, Captain Henry Jackman, which officially joined the fleet on the Great Lakes with its first cargo of grain loaded in Thunder Bay. The Captain Henry Jackman is the most efficient vessel in Algoma’s domestic fleet. The vessel’s design, described as “Equinox 3.0,” is an evolution of the original Equinox Class, incorporating improvements in cargo deadweight capacity and equipment while maintaining the numerous performance efficiencies of the original design.
With her improved design, Captain Henry Jackman set a new record cargo size for grain loaded at the Port of Thunder Bay (31,100 metric tonnes) on her first voyage. The cargo, Canadian Western Red Spring Wheat grown in southwestern Manitoba, is destined for international markets. The vessel was unloaded in Baie Comeau, Quebec where the grain was elevated in the customer’s transfer terminal, then loaded onto an ocean-going vessel bound for multiple countries in West Africa. There, Canadian and local grains will be blended together to create a higher quality grain and milled to be made into bread.
According to Jeff DeRosario, Algoma’s Vice President-Commercial, the vessel’s namesake, Captain Henry Jackman, immigrated to Huron County, ON, from the United Kingdom, and in 1851 left the family farm in pursuit of work as a seafarer on the Great Lakes. From these humble beginnings, Captain Jackman went on to become a legendary schooner captain owning a handful of vessels, and obtained his license as a master of inland steamships when the age of sail was in full transition to that of steam in the 1870s.
Says DeRosario, “It is with considerable pride that his descendants, more than a century later, are able to name the newest, most efficient and innovative Equinox class vessel in his enduring honor.”
View a video of the Jackman loading at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNDURHxQt0Q&t=1s
Lake Superior water levels have declined
With drier than average weather and water supply conditions, Lake Superior water levels have declined and are approaching the seasonal long-term average, according to the International Lake Superior Board of Control.
Coming off of several years of near-record and record water level highs, the Lake declined in July rather than rising, as is usual. Lake Superior water levels dropped 0.4 inches, while on average during July they rise by 2 inches. That means the Lake starts August 1.2 inches above it long-term average (1918 – 2020), and 9.1 inches below the same time last year.
The lake typically declines in August, but the board’s broad forecast for this year notes: Depending on the weather and water supply conditions during the next month, Lake Superior may decline by up to 5 cm. (2 in.) or may rise by up to approximately 10 cm. (3.9 in.) in August.
Wheatley shipbuilder reaches halfway point of 10-vessel contract for Canadian Coast Guard
A new red and white Bay Class search-and-rescue vessel – named La Poile Bay – has started its 10-day journey to the Canadian Coast Guard base in Dartmouth, N.S. The vessel’s departure from Wheatley Harbour on Monday marked the halfway point of the 10-vessel contract between the coast guard and Hike Metal Products, which has now built five of what are the new standard in high-tech search-and-rescue boats.
Hike Metal was initially awarded a $43-million contract in July 2015 to build six of the vessels. In late 2018, the Wheatley-based custom boat and ship builder was awarded another $36-million contract to deliver four more boats to the coast guard. Steve Ingram, Hike Metal’s president, said the company is looking ahead to ensure the contract is completed by 2024. “We always have at least two (vessels) in motion,” he said.
Ingram said the sixth vessel of the order is roughly 70 per cent complete, “and we hope to put it in the water in the next month or so.” That boat, he added, will be completed while in the water. That work includes finishing the internal outfitting, as well as installing the electronics and mechanical components.
Hike Metal is also responsible for conducting the sea trials, which includes testing the vessel’s self-righting capability by capsizing the boat.
Ingram said construction of the seventh vessel is also well underway while materials are slated to arrive later this month to begin work on the eighth boat.
La Poile Bay is the third vessel Hike Metal has built that will be used in the Canadian Coast Guard’s Atlantic fleet. The other two boats were delivered to coast guard stations on the West Coast.
Hike Metal is also experiencing a challenge common to many companies in recent months – finding skilled tradespeople, such as pipefitters, welders and workers with mechanical skills. There will still be plenty of work at Hike Metal, even when the current 10-vessel contract is completed. “Right now, we’re looking at some other contracts with the coast guard that we’re bidding on,” Ingram said.
That work, he said, will focus more on retrofitting and includes completely refurbishing some existing coast guard vessels.
Read the full story here: https://www.chathamthisweek.com/news/local-news/wheatley-shipbuilder-reaches-halfway-point-of-10-vessel-contract-for-canadian-coast-guard-2?fbclid=IwAR2ASXW9scH1NtlwdQIKYsfXKqBMMHQyldBev-BVHOpXkiCi5ZAQft60BE4
