What Crew Members Say About Algoma-Discovery

On February 27, 2023, a significant fire incident occurred in the engine room of the 'Algoma Discovery' while the vessel was docked at the Welland Canal in Port Colborne, Ontario, as part of its routine winter maintenance schedule. Firefighters responded promptly to the scene and discovered that all crew members had safely evacuated without sustaining any injuries. Upon their arrival, they noticed heavy smoke emanating from the engine room, where a small fire had ignited. Fortunately, the ship's internal fire suppression system had activated, mitigating the damage. Utilizing an aerial ladder, firefighters boarded the vessel at the stern while others established a water supply from the canal. As smoke continued to billow from the ship’s stack, emergency crews took swift action to manage the situation effectively. By around 10:30 a.m., the fire was under control thanks to ongoing ventilation efforts. The 'Algoma Discovery' has been securely docked in Port Colborne since early January for its winter lay-up phase. For more detailed coverage and photos, visit: https://gcaptain.com/engine-room-fire-on-algoma-discovery-in-winter-lay-up/

On the morning of October 26, 2023, at 8 a.m. local time, activities at Beauharnois Lock 4 in Quebec came to a halt due to an incident reported by Great Lakes and Seaway Shipping. The downbound vessel Algoma Discovery encountered the ship arrestor, resulting in the collapse of the frame designed to prevent ships from colliding with the lock gates. Among the vessels currently held in the area is the newly arrived Wagenborg ship Exeborg (IMO 9650482, deadweight tonnage 12,004, built in 2013), which is waiting in Lock 3 to proceed. Several other ships are also delayed, both upstream and downstream of the Beauharnois Canal, as port authorities work to replace the damaged ship arrestor. The operation is complicated by high winds, which pose safety risks for cranes handling heavy equipment. As of 10 p.m. on October 26, no crane had arrived to facilitate the repairs. As of 1:00 a.m. UTC on October 28, the situation remained unchanged, with the lock still closed and vessels unable to transit.

On May 1, 2012, a fire ignited in the cargo hold of the bulk carrier Algoma Discovery while it was docked at Pier 22 in Hamilton, Ontario, along the Great Lakes. The incident occurred at approximately 15:30 local time, prompting an immediate response from local firefighting teams. After a two-hour intense firefight, the blaze was brought under control. The fire reportedly began in a service tunnel, with preliminary investigations suggesting an electrical fault as the likely cause. At the time of the incident, the Algoma Discovery was in ballast, undergoing winter lay-up in Hamilton.