Dear Members,
Below is a brief (in point form) of this morning’s Seaway opening call:
- With respect to Seaway Notice No. 4 issued yesterday due to Ice Conditions
- Issued due to severe ice in south shore & Beauharnois Canal
- 5m draft stated, but ballast draft allowed if bow thrusters are submerged & operational
- Bow thrusters emphasized as key for clearing ice in locks
- Vessels with non-working thrusters must contact Olivier at the Seaway for case-by-case review
Capt. Olivier Lauzon
Senior Marine Officer
Tel: 450-672-4115 x 2306
Cell: 438-324-0193
Email: olauzon@seaway.ca
- Welland Canal Update
- Ice accumulation overnight in Port Colborne harbor resulting in slower transit conditions
- MLO Section Update
- Clear water: St. Lambert to Côte Ste. Catherine
- Ongoing ice clearing above Côte Ste. Catherine
- Beauharnois – main ice management concern (large ice chunks from Lake St. Francis)
- One vessel waiting in Lock 4 for Coast Guard escort
- Pointe Fortier anchorage: very good conditions
- St. Zotique anchorage: usable clear water (south side)
- Pilotage Services
- St. Lawrence: no major issues; 3 ships scheduled
- GLPA: full pilot capacity; 2 more vessels expected tomorrow
- U.S. pilotage: minor ice issues, expected to improve by afternoon
- Canadian Coast Guard
- Martha Black: actively escorting vessels
- CCGM: temporary issues, expected back soon
- Des Groseilliers: assisting at Welland Canal exit
- OPG Cable Anchor Removal (Thursday)
- Work taking place near G-Boom area
- Traffic controllers will guide vessels
- Ships advised to proceed with caution during operations
Please click here for the Seaway Radio Message No. 3 re the opening ceremony at Lock 3 of the Welland Canal.
Sincerely,
Farah Ahmad
Coordinator, Operations