Still feeling wiped - After FIVE days on the water, I'm tired in the best possible way.
Today could have been a decent day at the river - actually found it to be a bit humid...
But I needed a break.
Not feeling completely drained and exhausted - but there's a sluggish, lightheadedness that needs to pass. Possibly a touch too much sun yesterday, running on minimal sleep, plus constant exposure to fresh air that makes me sleep soundly at night.
The Seaway operates 24/7. Seems like there's always something to see...
Had to resist the urge to check the vessel lock times...
Found myself glancing briefly at the AIS map at dawn.
CAPTAIN HENRY JACKMAN anchored off AULT ISLAND
BAIE COMEAU was heading downriver approaching Eisenhower, followed by ALGOMA MARINER.
One of the big OCEAN tugs was upbound.
Tanker HARBOUR EXPRESS was also on her way upriver.
That was enough to satisfy my curiosity.
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| SPRUCEGLEN downbound on the St. Lawrence River October 30, 2022. (formerly former SELKIRK SETTLER / FEDERAL ST. LOUIS / FRASER) |
German passenger vessel HAMBURG (flagged out of Nassau, Bahamas).
A treat for the passengers to enjoy such a clear, calm fall day. Some of them were even out on deck.
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| HAMBURG downbound for Montreal on October 24, 2022 |
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| Classic laker TIM S. DOOL upbound with iron ore for Hamilton, October 24, 2022 |
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| FEDERAL FRANKLIN upbound for Hamilton on October 26, 2022 |
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| ALGOSEA upbound for Sarnia October 26, 2022 Spectacular sight while boatwatching in the fall |
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| CCGS GRIFFON downbound on October 27, 2022 |
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| FEDERAL BARENTS downbound just before sunrise October 28, 2022 |
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| SCOT LEIPZIG downbound on October 28, 2022 for New Orleans, Louisiana |
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| ALGOTERRA upbound for Sarnia through the sea smoke on a crisp fall morning October 29, 2022 |
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| JUNO October 30, 2022 upbound for Toronto. |
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| SPRUCEGLEN upbound after departing the Wilson Hill anchorage October 30, 2022 |
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| SPRUCEGLEN in the distance |
Noticed that her position to be unchanged shortly after clearing Cat Island Shoal.
She would spend the day anchored off Ault Island...
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| SPRUCEGLEN's position unchanged |
Also had an eye out for BAIE COMEAU, loading soybeans at Johnstown, hoping to eventually catch the ship downbound.
(She would head downriver in the dark in the early morning hours the following morning)
To not see a ship pass by until the mid-afternoon on this beautiful day could have been frustrating to an avid boatwatcher...
Somehow, just seeing SPRUCEGLEN in the distance, anchored peacefully on the calm water was enough to satisfy the shipwatcher in me.
The G3 MARQUIS stealthily approached...
Still hadn't captured any decent shots of her freshly painted hull this season.
(The shiny paint is a sharp contrast to her scuffed and rusty appearance last December)
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| G3 MARQUIS downbound for Quebec City |
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| Her full length |
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| G3 MARQUIS heading downriver, the anchored SPRUCEGLEN in the distance |
The downbound G3 MARQUIS passes by the anchored SPRUCEGLEN.
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| Downbound G3 MARQUIS approaches SPRUCEGLEN, at anchor |
Before the G3 MARQUIS disappeared into the Wiley-Dondero Canal, the next vessel appeared (upbound saltie JUNO). All three of the ships for the day in the same frame
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| The anchored SPRUCEGLEN with G3 MARQUIS downbound, and JUNO approaching |
JUNO passes SPRUCEGLEN (at anchor) and makes her approach.
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| Saltwater vessel JUNO |
My second encounter with this saltie.
No doubt, she'll eventually receive a blue painted hull like her Polsteam fleetmates.
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| The 2011-built JUNO |
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| Closeup of the bow |
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| The stern section |
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| JUNO upbound for Toronto |
Had considered stopping by Ault Island to check out SPRUCEGLEN before dark.
Much to my delight, the vessel was on the move.
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| SPRUCEGLEN departs the anchorage |
Perspective is an amazing thing. I've watched ships navigate the channel from countless angles.
Standing on one spot, the course looks completely different than looking at it from another point miles away. Great to take in so many different viewpoints.
Leaving the anchorage, she appeared to be heading downriver from my perspective.
Was relieved when her course turned upriver.
Could hear the engine of SPRUCEGLEN from a couple miles away.
Absolutely love that sound.
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| SPRUCEGLEN approaches |
Hatches open to dry the holds, this photo offers a different look of the vessel.
Already had some great SPRUCEGLEN snapshots in my collection...
The impeccable timing of the late-day sun against the hull makes this batch absolutely magical.
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| SPRUCEGLEN upbound for Toledo |
FIVE DAYS in a row on the river.
Absolutely exhausted - but relaxed at the same time.
Just love being out there.
To see it is one thing...
But adding some of these snapshots to my collection is priceless.
Can't imagine a better fall day to be on the river...
With winter looming, hoping to get a few more calm days like this.
First radio song upon returning to land was "I Live by the River!" by The Clash
It's always nice to catch 'em all, but sometimes it's just not in the cards...
Really wanted to see MANITOULIN (1991-built self-unloader with a front-mounted boom). The vessel passed by sometime in the dark around 10pm, destined for Quebec City. Fingers crossed to catch her return trip upriver in daylight. She arrived earlier than originally anticipated - but still not before nightfall.
In the dark, CSL WELLAND would follow CSL ST-LAURENT downbound, both vessels destined for Montreal. Caught the pair upbound in daylight this summer, and I pondered the odds of seeing these two sisters transit consecutively.
Otherwise, yet another "perfect" day by the river.
For the second day in a row, was on the river to see the sun come over the treeline.
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Sometimes a bit of fog can help discern the islands from the mainland...
I believe that Croil Island is the mass in the middle.
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More fun with sea smoke and silhouettes...
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A truly spectacular morning by the water
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| Shorebird that I'm not familiar with... Possibly a Semipalmated Plover |
Arrived at the river just in time to see ALGOTERRA.
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| ALGOTERRA Fire, Sea Smoke and Earth... |
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ALGONOVA
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ALGOMA COMPASS
ALGOMA COMPASS returning upriver to Goderich, Ontario after delivering in St. Catherine, Quebec.
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Waiting for the EQUINOX...
Canada Geese white Snow Goose among them
Shortly after spotting the EQUINOX, and knowing it was still 45 minutes away...
Took a look upriver, and spotted MARGUERITA.
Checking on the status of the EQUINOX, and was surprised to see another vessel on the horizon.
Before the EQUINOX arrived, GAIA DESGAGNES could be seen following her closely.
Checking the timestamp of my photos, the small DESGAGNES tanker is just 20 minutes behind the mighty EQUINOX...
One of my favorite snapshots of the day...
The huge bow of the EQUINOX rounds the corner with the DESGAGNES ship emerging from the infinite beyond...
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Could hear the sounds of heavy equipment as the EQUINOX approached.
Zooming in with my binoculars (and camera), observed the crew working around the crane hatch.
Heavy equipment, hatch crane hatch.
Something boring and mundane to them is fascinating to me.
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Before reaching Mariatown, the upbound EQUINOX met the downbound MARGUERITA.
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| ALGOMA EQUINOX meets saltie MARGUERITA |
EQUINOX saluted at Mariatown as she's known to do.
Apparently, the Captain (or another ranking officer) is a fan of another Seaway enthusiast there.
Truly remarkable when people admire each other's work.
Another random saltwater ship to add some flavor to the afternoon...
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| MARGUERITA |
Big, small, lean or tall...
When it comes to cargo vessels, I like 'em all.
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| Closeup of the bow |
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| The stern |
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| Her profile |
MARGUERITA would also meet GAIA DESGAGNES on this stretch of river
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| Downbound MARGERITA meets upbound tanker GAIA DESGAGNES |
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| GAIA DESGAGNES on a beautiful day |
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| The 2018-built GAIA DESGAGNES |
My first encounter with GAIA DESGAGNES.
I always like seeing the smaller DESGAGNES ships... Possibly because they each tend to be relatively unique with their own "personality".
So how do you pronounce "GAIA"?
Just assuming the vessel is named after a female member of the DESGAGNES family, and not the Greek
Goddess...
I'm going to say "GUY-YA" until someone tells me differently.
A close-up look at the unusually shaped bow.
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| Closeup of the unusual bow |
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| Her profile |
Three tankers, two self unloaders and a saltie
Altogether, six ships on the day.
Also got to see vessels meeting/passing each other for the third day this week.
Could have waited for the upbound ALGOMA HARVESTER, but three hours after the DESGAGNES ship, I was ready to head out and get packed for another day. Snuck a peek up the channel, but no sign of her.
Otherwise, another "perfect" day by the river.