Working Conditions Aboard the Lake-Ontario

On April 18, 2019, at approximately 9 p.m., the cargo vessel 'Lake Ontario' experienced a complete generator failure while navigating the St. Lawrence River close to Sorel, Quebec, precisely at coordinates 46 00 52.0 N 73 10 31.3 W. The ship's dedicated crew managed to perform necessary repairs while anchored in Lanoraie. Following successful maintenance, the vessel continued its journey towards Montreal, where it safely docked on April 19.

On the evening of October 2, 2018, the vessel Lake Ontario encountered a significant main engine failure while nearing the anchorage at Sorel-Tracy, Quebec. The incident occurred at coordinates 46 03.198N, 073 07.04W at approximately 7:30 p.m. In response to the engine malfunction, the crew promptly dropped anchor to evaluate the situation. Fortunately, there were no reports of pollution or damage resulting from this event.

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of Canada decided on June 12, 2023, not to hear the appeal of a Sri Lankan national who famously jumped ship in Oshawa in pursuit of refugee status. The decision marks the culmination of a legal battle following the man’s desertion of the merchant vessel M/V Lake Ontario shortly after its arrival at the Port of Oshawa on November 27, 2011. According to court summaries, the man abandoned ship intending to seek asylum but was met with swift action from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The agency issued a removal order just 12 days after the vessel's docking, declaring that he could not legally enter Canada due to his act of desertion. Originally originating from Sri Lanka, the individual boarded the M/V Lake Ontario in Algeria and navigated through various port cities in the Mediterranean before finally reaching Montreal and Oshawa. The ship's agent alerted Canadian customs of two crewmembers who had jumped ship shortly after docking, with the Sri Lankan man among those listed. The M/V Lake Ontario departed Oshawa for Duluth, Minnesota, on December 4, 2011, effectively closing the chapter on this maritime legal saga. The Supreme Court, while not obligated to provide reasoning for its decisions, has firmly set a precedent regarding maritime desertion and refugee claims.