Seaway Traffic (FEDERAL NAKAGAWA, OAKGLEN, CCGS ILE SAINT OURS, CSL ASSINIBOINE)

Another day of big red ships...
Well, three big red ships and a tiny Coast Guard ship.

FEDERAL NAKAGAWA
A "last minute" addition for today's list of vessels... Was more than happy to see a big red FedNav ship up close while I waited for OAKGLEN to arrive.

Got to the locks just as FEDERAL NAKAGAWA was easing her way in.

FEDERAL NAKAGAWA built in 2005 by Oshima Shipbuilding in Saikai, Japan

Can't recall ever seeing hawsepipes quite like these before...

I like the green lights on the foremast.

The 2005-built FEDERAL NAKAGAWA
Sister Ships: FEDERAL ASAHI, FEDERAL HUDSON, FEDERAL HUNTER, FEDERAL KIVALINA, FEDERAL KUMANO, FEDERAL OSHIMA, FEDERAL RIDEAU, FEDERAL SETO, FEDERAL YUKON.

The Helipad, over the first cargo hatch(es).
Hatch covers slightly ajar, likely to help dry the interior.

Gulls love the churning water stirred up by the ship's propellers.
Not sure if they score small fish, but I'm sure they wouldn't be there if there wasn't food to be had...

Checking out the flags...
Pilot on board.

Several different exhaust pipes emitting from the stack...

FEDERAL NAKAGAWA exits the lock

Destined for Hamilton, anticipated time of arrival is just before midnight - tonight!
That's twelve hours from now...
She's cleared the entire system of locks - All that remains are the Brockville Narrows, Thousand Islands... Then across Lake Ontario to the other side... Will have to check on her actual time of arrival to see how close it is.

Ships meeting outside the lock

As FEDERAL NAKAGAWA exits, the downbound OAKGLEN is waiting for her turn to use the lock.




OAKGLEN
From a current FedNav vessel to a former FedNav vessel...

Another one of my favorite older ships...

The 1980-built OAKGLEN is the former FEDERAL DANUBE.
She also sailed as "LAKE ONTARIO".

FEDERAL DANUBE (1980-1995)
LAKE ONTARIO (1995-2009)
OAKGLEN (2009-Present)

Oldschool shipwatching...

Wow. Seen this ship several times - but never up close.
Had the chance to see her sister (FEDERAL MAAS / MAPLEGLEN) at these same locks.

The FEDERAL DANUBE lettering can also be seen on the stern.

As FEDERAL DANUBE, I've seen her carrying shipping containers on her deck.

OAKGLEN downbound for Sorel, Quebec.

She's an old boat, but definitely a classic.

The smokestack looks to have a rounded top as it sticks above the bridge when you see the ship head on...
The single horizontal stripe looks like oldschool Canada Steamship Lines.

Just love the look of this ship...

Ever fascinated with the six derricks on her deck...
Not sure if they're still used for their original purpose - Or if they're simply used to hang spotlights.
Pretty sure these yellow derricks were painted red when she sailed for FedNav.

I've seen this vessel as FEDERAL DANUBE, LAKE ONTARIO and OAKGLEN.
Technically have seen her now as OAKGLEN more times than under her previous aliases...



Can even see the FedNav insignia / emblem on the smokestack.

Stacked...

Note that it's the OLD FedNav emblem WITHOUT the circle.

Regardless, they managed to do a very good job with the fangled "new" CSL stripes on the stack,
managing to incorporate awkward angles on a rounded shape.







CCGS ILE SAINT OURS
Heading downriver, keeping my eyes peeled for an upbound Coast Guard vessel...
Just happened to catch a glimpse of it.
Seemed incredibly tiny, was lucky to spot it.

CCGS ILE SAINT OURS

Appears to be red marker buoys on her deck.

I'm sure it's more sturdy than she looks - But it seems like a six foot wave would crash right over the deck...

Apparently she's an "inshore buoy tender "built in 1986.

"CCGS Île Saint-Ours is a small multi-taskable vessels that has a shallower draft overall and is configured to service marine aids to navigation. It has no helicopter carrying capability."

She's 23 meters in length, 6 meters in width, and carries a crew of 4.

The upbound ILE SAINT OURS

Enjoyed seeing OAKGLEN up close at the locks...
But was looking forward to seeing her out on the open water.

Oak leaves on the rocks with OAKGLEN arriving...

Sunlight at the right moment to capture some color off the old girl...

The very first FedNav vessels I remember were FEDERAL DANUBE (became OAKGLEN) and her sisters FEDERAL OTTAWA (became RICHELIEU - Not in Service since 2013) and FEDERAL THAMES (became SAGUENAY - Not in Service since 2013). FEDERAL MAAS became MAPLEGLEN (scrapped 2015).

Of the four sisters, OAKGLEN (FEDERAL DANUBE) is the only one that remains active...

The bow

The stern

As the waves crash on the shore, it's still magic everytime.

CSL ASSINIBOINE
Headed downriver in hopes of catching a climpse of the upbound CSL ASSINIBOINE. Within minutes, caught a climpse of the superstructure through the trees. The ASSINIBOINE would meet OAKGLEN between the islands.

1977-built CSL ASSINIBOINE meets the 1980-built OAKGLEN

Much to my delight, the two fleetmates saluted upon meeting.
I believe it was OAKGLEN that saluted first, with the ASSINIBOINE responding.


.Incidentally, the ASSINIBOINE is the first self-unloading vessel that I can ever recall seeing - As the black-hulled JEAN PARISIEN. (That was before her makeover...)

CSL ASSINIBOINE (the former JEAN PARISIEN)

CSL ASSINIBOINE is destined for Gary Harbor, Indiana.
Anticipated time of arrival Nov 18 (in five days).
The iconic big red lighthouse at Gary Harbor looks pretty neat.

A new "classic".

The ALGOMA STRONGFIELD was also downbound during daylight...
Could have stayed to catch the ship, but had things to do - Plus already have a good number of STRONGFIELD photos in my collection.

Tanker HARBOUR PROGRESS also downbound in the evening.

Seaway Evening Traffic...

6PM
The downbound ALGOMA GUARDIAN remains moored at the upper wall of Eisenhower Lock.

RT HON PAUL J MARTIN is upbound, approaching the Eisenhower Lock.

A good number of vessels expected to transit the system, including the downbound PUNA, and upbound MIENA DESGAGNES.

Tomorrow (Nov 13) downbound vessels are LYULIN, BBC KWIATKOWSKI, OAKGLEN, ALGOMA STRONGFIELD and CSL ST-LAURENT.

FEDERAL NAKAGAWA has also been added to the list of upbound ships...



Status of previously upbound vessels:

VITOSHA has reached the Welland Canal, destined for Thunder Bay.

LEO A. MCARTHUR is halfway across Lake Erie.

ATLANTIC HURON is past the halfway point across Lake Erie.

MAMRY is towards the western end of Lake Erie, destined for Thunder Bay.

ZELANDA DESGAGNES also on Lake Erie, destined for Goderich.

Seaway AM Traffic...

9AM

ALGOMA HANSA is downbound, anchored at Wilson Hill (presumably for crew rest).
ALGOMA GUARDIAN - Previously anchored at Wilson Hill, has since traveled downriver, has been moored outside the Eisenhower Lock for several hours.
WHITEFISH BAY is upbound.

MANITOULIN, previously delayed, currently scheduled to transit the system upbound  after nightfall.
MIENA DESGAGNES making yet another trip upriver in the dark early morning hours.

Seaway Early AM Traffic...

6AM
Saltie RODOPI is making another trip upriver.
CSL's WHITEFISH BAY is also upbound.

In the evening, PUNA and LYULIN are expected downbound.
Saltie LYULIN is currently anchored on Lake Ontario, will be heading downbound ultimately destined for Algeria (anticipated arrival there on November 27).

RT HON PAUL J MARTIN is upbound, expected to transit the Seaway in the evening.

Foreign crane ship BBC KWIATKOWSKI is downbound in the Welland Canal, returning back downriver for Montreal.



OAKGLEN is expected downbound for Sorel, Quebec tomorrow (Nov 13).
ALGOMA STRONGFIELD  currently on Lake Erie also heading downriver for Quebec City.



Previously upbound salties VITOSHA (destined for Port Weller) and FULDABORG (destined for Cleveland) are upbound transiting the Welland Canal. Also in the Welland Canal is JOHN D LEITCH bound for Toledo.

Also headed in the opposite direction away from the Seaway, and currently on (or nearing) the Welland Canal:
ALGOMA INNOVATOR is heading back to Goderich.
ALGOMA TRANSPORT is returning to Thunder Bay.
ATLANTIC HURON is heading back to Windsor

Previously upbound salties MAMRY and GARDNO are on Lake Erie destined for Thunder Bay.
JESSICA B, JOHANNA G and ISOLDA are moored at Hamilton.

ZELANDA DESGAGNES has also travelled upriver and has reached Lake Erie.

ALGONORTH is returning to Nanticoke

ALGOMA GUARDIAN

 

ALGOMA GUARDIAN downbound on the St. Lawrence River

The 1987-built ALGOMA GUARDIAN (formerly OMISALJ, GOVIKEN)

Built in Croatia for Jugolinija (the state-operated shipping line of Yugoslavia).
Sailed with a blue hull for the Croatia Line from 1992-1997.
From 1997-2008 she was the green-hulled GOVIKEN of Viken Shipping, flagged out of Nassau, Bahamas.

Sister ships to ALGOMA GUARDIAN:
ALGOMA DISCOVERY (formerly PETKA)
ALGOMA SPIRIT (formerly MALINSKA) was scrapped in 2021 after a grounding the previous season)



Purchased by Algoma in 2008, this ocean-going bulk carrier is no stranger to the Seaway. At 729 feet in length she (along with her sisterships) were the largest saltwater ships to transit the St. Lawrence System.

Her deck cranes were removed in 2009 - but for a very brief period, she sported yellow "saltie" style deck cranes while completely painted in the Algoma colors.

Road to the River...

Sunrise over the creek...

Silhouette of an Eastern White Pine, a tree with character



Oak leaves must get good mileage on the water...

Another assortment of Oak leaves washed ashore

Weeds stubbornly growing out of the asphalt... A broken chunk of road from Old Highway 2.

Life finds a way...

Common Morganser duck spotted on the return trip
They tend to keep their distance, but managed to sneak up on this one

Seaway Evening Traffic...

 
6PM

MANITOULIN was expected to transit the system today during daylight, but has been delayed.
ALGOMA GUARDIAN anchored at Wilson Hill.
THUNDER BAY has left Johnstown, heading downbound.


CSL ST-LAURENT is in the St. Clair River, downbound for Lake Erie and destined for Montreal.
ALGOMA DISCOVERY is on Lake Superior, downbound and destined for Baie Comeau.
FIVELBORG is on Lake Superior, destined for Montreal.

Seaway Traffic (ALGOMA SAULT, ALGOMA GUARDIAN, EVERLAST & NORMAN MCLEOD, SARAH DESGAGNES, WILF SEYMOUR ALOUETTE SPIRIT)

Once again, the first ship of the day was the "Surprise Ship" of the day.

ALGOMA SAULT downbound

Self unloader - And colored beach rocks.

The ALGOMA SAULT was destined for Johnstown earlier in the day, so I didn't expect to see her this far down the river...

The stern

She must have finished in Johnstown - After unloading a partial load of salt there, the rest was to be delivered downriver at Cote Ste Catherine, Quebec.




The ALGOMA GUARDIAN immediately followed fleetmate ALGOMA SAULT (in approximately as much time as it takes to transit the Locks). Must have followed the ALGOMA SAULT through the Iroquois...

ALGOMA GUARDIAN downbound

Had originally planned to spend the day off the water because of rain-showers.
The rain was going to hold off until around 3pm - And the ALGOMA GUARDIAN, one of my favorite ships was set to transit the system mid-day.
So for the second day in a row, I headed to the river expecting a single ship - But obviously hoping a few more vessels would fill out the day.

Built in Croatia, the ALGOMA GUARDIAN

Have seen ALGOMA GUARDIAN several times - and yet somehow, had never seen her sister (ALGOMA DISCOVERY).

I like the profile of this ship...

ALGOMA GUARDIAN downbound for Baie Comeau, Quebec.

To the anchorage...

The ALGOMA GUARDIAN traveled downriver and appeared to head into the anchorage.
At the same time, there was another vessel appearing on the horizon, traveling upriver.

Was hoping for MANITOULIN... But the most prominent feature on this distant vessel was a tall bridge sticking right up, resembling that of a tugboat EVERLAST & NORMAN MCLEOD

Couldn't stay and watch this tug and barge, because I hoped to watch a few more vessels further upriver.
If I played my cards right, I could see them all.

Perfect timing with downbound tanker SARAH DESGAGNES approaching.

SARAH DESGAGNES approaching

Surprising amount of color on a dull day...

Riding high in the water, traveling light.

Upbound tugboat EVERLAST

EVERLAST managed to catch up quicker than I thought, meeting the DESGAGNES ship.




Continuing upriver, I found WILF SEYMOUR pushing ALOUETTE SPIRIT downbound.

WILF SEYMOUR & ALOUETTE SPIRIT

Bit of deja-vu, as I've encountered this pair at this same spot, at the end of my day, with calm-glassy water...
Last time, it was just at nightfall. Today it was a few hours before sunset - but with dark skies and rain looming, it appeared much later in the day than it actually was.

As much as I enjoy keeping a photo record of vessels I've seen, it's always nice when the scene looks different.
As a result, this snapshot is basically a carbon copy of another one in my collection (Sept 12).

Tugboat WILF SEYMOUR pushing barge ALOUETTE SPIRIT

Tug & barge downbound

Meeting place...

My favorite snapshot from this set, with the two barges passing by each other in the middle of the river, surrounded by islands.



Got to see EVERLAST meet THREE downbound vessels...
(ALGOMA GUARDIAN, SARAH DESGAGNES and finally WILF SEYMOUR).

EVERLAST & NORMAN MCLEOD

She's all lit up. Can even see the lights reflecting on the water.

Beautiful...

Certainly not the prettiest day...
But at least it wasn't too cold - or too hot.
Considering that it's November - And I got to see all the daytime ships on my list (aside for MANITOULIN, unexpectedly delayed).

The first few raindrops while I was waiting for EVERLAST.



Once again, missed out on seeing MANITOULIN. She's been re-scheduled, a day and a half later than originally anticipated (approaching midnight on Nov 12 / early morning of Nov 13)
But got a surprise ship instead, AND got safely off the water before the raindrops started.

Two barges, a bulker, a self-unloader and a tanker.

Consider it another "perfect" day by the river.

Seaway Evening Traffic...

9PM
MIEDWIE is downbound, slowing to enter the Eisenhower Lock.
ZELANDA DESGAGNES has cleared the Eisenhower Lock into the Wiley-Dondero Canal, upbound for Johnstown.
ALGOMA SAULT, also destined for Johnstown, is downbound and has almost finished crossing Lake Ontario.
ALGOTERRA is downbound for Sydney, is approaching the halfway point between Iroquois and Eisenhower.

FULDABORG and HARBOUR PROGRESS will transit upbound in the dark, although it should be daylight when the PROGRESS reaches Prescott-Brockville.


ALGOMA GUARDIAN is on Lake Ontario, downbound for Baie Comeau, Quebec.
MANITOULIN is upbound, and should transit the system mid-day.

SARAH DESGAGNES has just started out on Lake Ontario, downbound for Montreal.

More Magic...

Hoist the colors high!

Winds gusting to nearly 40km.
Water level also fairly high - especially for this time of year.
Seems higher now than it's been all summer.

Majestic Waves...

Possibly my favorite snapshot of the day
Waves crashing and churning, with the sunlight shining through the water offering many shades of blue.

Thousands of Canadian Geese gathering

Goose nest...

Egg hunt...

As the leaves fall off the trees, an "abandoned" Goose nest is uncovered, with FIVE un-hatched eggs.

Cement foundation from the "Lost Villages".

Square foundations of old buildings from the Lost Villages.
One has natural stones arranged in a square shape.
The other has actual poured concrete to make the square edge.

Stone foundation...

On the trip home, the sky impossibly red - with the silhouette of wind turbines.
Have seen many turbine parts transiting the Seaway. Those giant blades are hundreds of feet in length - basically taking up most of the deck space on a ship. Hard to believe several hundred feet of materials are spinning around up there...

Red November...