G3-Marquis Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has released a detailed report highlighting the factors that led to the grounding of the bulk carrier 'CWB Marquis' near Beauharnois, Quebec on April 3, 2015. The incident occurred when the vessel, managed by Algoma Central, was anchored at the Pointe Fortier anchorage area on the St. Lawrence Seaway. It was impacted by an ice floe that had drifted into the vicinity, pushing the ship out of the designated anchorage and onto shallow grounds. During the night, conditions worsened as a result of increasing winds, causing an ice floe to break away and enter the anchorage where the 'CWB Marquis' and three other vessels were stationed. While one neighboring vessel was able to raise its anchor swiftly after being struck, it did not report the incident. Unfortunately, the 'CWB Marquis' faced complications as the ice floe interfered with its anchor, delaying the crew's response to the dragging situation. The investigation revealed that the lack of prompt action by the crew when the vessel began to drift, in combination with the time required to secure the anchor, ultimately resulted in the ship running aground outside its designated area. The report also pointed to flaws in the vessel traffic management plan developed by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC), which had advised the vessels to anchor at Pointe Fortier. Key issues included the presence of fast ice around the anchorage and insufficient consideration of weather forecasts predicting stronger winds. In response to the incident, Algoma Central Corporation informed the SLSMC that their vessels would now prioritize securing at available lock approach walls rather than anchoring amidst icy conditions. Moreover, Algoma has updated its safety management protocols concerning anchoring in icy waters. The SLSMC has taken steps to enhance its winter navigation processes by incorporating the Canadian Coast Guard’s Ice Navigation manual into its toolkit. For those interested in a comprehensive view of the investigation's full findings, the detailed report is available at the TSB's official website: http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/rapports-reports/marine/2015/M15C0028/M15C0028.asp.

The St. Lawrence Seaway has officially closed its navigation season with the passage of the last vessel, marking the end of this year’s shipping activities. On Wednesday, the Canadian-flagged bulk carrier, the CWB Marquis, navigated through the Eisenhower Lock located in Massena, New York, as confirmed by officials from the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. This event signifies the conclusion of the 57th navigation season along the waterway that connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean through the St. Lawrence River. Gratifyingly, the season wrapped up on a positive note, bolstered by favorable weather conditions that contributed to what officials described as a “great closing.” As the waterways now shift into maintenance mode, crews will focus on the seven locks within the river section of the seaway, ensuring they are ready for reopening at the end of March.

On April 3, 2015, the first bulk carrier of the year, the iron ore-laden 'CWB Marquis', encountered a mishap while navigating the St. Lawrence Seaway. The vessel, which set sail from Hamilton and departed the port of Montreal on April 1, found itself grounded near the Beauharnois locks in Montérégie at approximately 5:30 a.m. The bulk carrier struck substantial ice formations near the Pointe-Fortier anchorage, ultimately becoming immobilized. A response team from the Canada Transportation Safety Board was deployed to assess the situation and conduct thorough inspections. Thankfully, after several hours of effort, the CWB Marquis was successfully freed at 6:30 p.m. and subsequently docked in Melocheville, close to Montreal. For more details, you can view the original French report with accompanying images at the Journal de Montréal.