St. Lawrence Seaway Opening Date Pushed Back
Tthe opening date for the St. Lawrence Seaway 2015 navigation season has been delayed following review and consideration of factors and conditions affecting safe navigation and effective system transit. Welland Canal: April 2, 2015 -0800 hours (D.S.T.) Vessel transits will be subject to weather and ice conditions. Transit restrictions may apply until lighted navigation aids have been installed. Allowable Draft In the Montreal / Lake Ontario Section, the draft will be 80.0 dm (26'3") until the South Shore Canal is ice-free or April 23rd,whichever occurs first, at which time, if water levels aref avorable, the draft will be increased to 80.8 dm (26'6") for all vessels. In addition, there will be zero tolerance for ship's draft in excess of 80.8 dm (26' 6").
First Vessel of 2014 Arrives at St. Lambert
Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) advised that the St. Lawrence Seaway has now opened for its 2014 season at St. Lambert by accepting the first vessel of the year, the MT Charlotte Theresa, destination Lake Ontario, followed by several Canadian ships. ISS Canada’s General Manager (Eastern Canada) Jason Skorksi, said the season has and will be a challenging one due to heavy ice and pack ice still affecting sea lanes. The seaway is currently processing upbound traffic in the Montreal/MLO section – one way traffic only. Double Pilotage is required, and initially there will be daylight navigation only. Escorts are required for crossing the lakes, Lac St. Louis and Lake St. Francis. The icebreaker HMCCGC Martha L Black is currently working Montreal/MLO sector.
Great Lakes – St Lawrence Seaway: 2013 Re-opening
Seaway Notice No.1, 2013, gives information on the opening of the 2013 navigation season and maximum allowable drafts. Montreal / Lake Ontario and the Welland Canal will open on March 22, 2013 at 0800 hours (D.S.T.). Sault Ste. Marie Locks and Canals United States Soo Locks will open March 25. Vessel transits will be subject to weather and ice conditions. Restrictions may apply in some areas until lighted navigation aids have been installed. The draft will be 80.0 dm (26' 3") until the South Shore Canal is ice‐free or April 15th, whichever occurs first, at which time, if water levels are favorable, the draft will be increased to 80.8 dm (26' 6") for all vessels. In addition, there will be zero tolerance for ship's draft in excess of 80.8 dm (26' 6").
TSB Release Findings on St. Lawrence Seaway Accident
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) issues its report on last year's St. In summary: on 31 March 2011 at 0309 Eastern Daylight Time, the downbound vessel BBC Steinhoeft, under the conduct of a pilot, ran aground in the South Shore Canal of the St. Lawrence Seaway downstream of St. Lambert Lock. Seaway traffic remained closed for 10 hours after the grounding until the vessel was refloated by 2 assisting tugs. There were no injuries or pollution as a result of this occurrence.
St. Lawrence Seaway System to Open 22 March
SEAWAY NOTICE NO. 1 ‐ 2012: Opening of the 2012 Navigation Season and Maximum Allowable Drafts. Vessel transits will be subject to weather and ice conditions. Restrictions may apply in some areas until lighted navigation aids have been installed. Sault Ste. United States Soo Locks will open March 25. In the Montreal / Lake Ontario Section, the draft will be 80.0 dm (26' 3") until the South Shore Canal is ice‐free or April 15th, whichever occurs first, at which time, if water levels are favorable, the draft will be increased to 80.8 dm (26' 6") for all vessels.
Great Lakes, Seaway 2010 Navigation Season
The Great Lakes-St. Vessel transits will be subject to weather and ice conditions. Restrictions may apply in some areas until lighted navigation aids have been installed. Sault Ste. Marie Locks and Canals United States Soo Locks will open March 25. In the Montreal / Lake Ontario Section, the draft will be 80.0 dm (26' 3") until the South Shore Canal is ice-free or April 15th, whichever occurs first, at which time, if water levels are favorable, the draft will be increased to 80.8 dm (26' 6") for all vessels. In addition, there will be zero tolerance for ship's draft in excess of 80.8 dm (26' 6"). Mariners are reminded that for ships loaded to a draft greater than 80.0 dm (26' 3"), speeds will be monitored carefully between St. Lambert Lock and St. Nicolas Island.
Opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway 2009 Season
The opening of the St. Vessel transits will be subject to weather and ice conditions. Restrictions may apply in some areas until lighted navigation aids have been installed. Sault Ste. Marie Locks and Canals United States Soo Locks will open March 25. In the Montreal / Lake Ontario Section, the draft will be 26 ft 3 inches until the South Shore Canal is ice-free or April 15th, whichever occurs first, at which time, if water levels are favorable, the draft will be increased to 26 ft 6 inches for all vessels. In addition, there will be zero tolerance for ship's draft in excess of 26 ft 6 inches. Mariners are reminded that for ships loaded to a draft greater than 26 ft 3 inches, speeds will be monitored carefully between St. Lambert Lock and St. Nicolas Island.
St. Lawrence Seaway Releases 2004 Draft Details
The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System issued a Notice establishing allowable drafts for the 2004 navigation season. In the Welland Canal, a maximum draft of 80.8 dm (26’6”) will be in effect for inland vessels and for ocean vessels equipped with bow thrusters. For ocean vessels not equipped with bow thrusters, the maximum draft will be 80.0 dm (26’3”). In the Montreal/Lake Ontario section, the maximum draft will be 79.2 dm (26’0”) until the South Shore Canal is ice-free or April 15, whichever occurs first, when the maximum draft will be increased to 80dm (26’3”). Seaway Notice No. 2 – 2004 (HK Law)
