Hollyhock and Shoaling

The Seaway advised this afternoon that shoaling is possible in the region of Crossover Island. Ships are requested to slow their speeds to just 8 knots and requested to prevent meeting up with other ships in this area.

Just another sign of low water.

In other news, the USCG Hollyhock is making its way across Lake Ontario this afternoon and likely to make an overnight pass in the Islands.

Did you catch the interesting cruise ship in the region this afternoon?

An issue with Three Rivers just east of Iroquois Lock overnight. Ship is anchored at this time. Issue unknown.

Gate issue at Eisenhower Lock has ship traffic backed up tonight. Solution expected within a reasonable timeframe.

Happy Ship Watching!

It's like a holiday for ship watchers across the Great Lakes. This morning at 8 a.m. the shipping season officially gets underway at St. Lambert Lock in Montreal and at the Welland Canal.

In the first official day of the season, we may not end up seeing any big vessels in the Islands, but Saturday and Sunday are likely to bring prime viewing.

We look forward to sharing news and information with you throughout 2013 and we hope you make our site a regular stop!

Enjoy the view!!!

Seaway Season Just Days Away

UPDATE [March 20] - We have some action!!! CCG Martha Black has made an appearance in the Seaway west of Montreal, moving upbound. Also, tug Laprairie is following behind.

Tug Robinson Bay has been busy in Massena the last few days as well.

At this point, not sure if Martha Black will continue through to the Islands or not.

ORIGINAL REPORT - Who will be the first???

The 2013 shipping season is just days away and activity is beginning to occur.

A number of salties are headed for Montreal this week and will likely be a part of the first ship "parade" upbound this season after the March 22 opening date. CSL's new Baie St Paul will take the top hat at St Lambert Lock in Montreal on Friday and be the lead ship of the parade.

With warmer weather, the ice has begun to vanish throughout the region, though some remains in various spots. No official word of an icebreaker has been provided at this point, but we are watching Canadian Coast Guard's Griffon, which is currently docked in Port Colborne and likely awaiting the Welland Canal opening on Wednesday. If that is the case, we expect Griffon to cross Lake Ontario and begin its trek for Prescott, Ontario prior to the river locks opening.

[UPDATE: Griffon to lock down on Wednesday and head for Bath, Ontario. CCG says no immediate need for icebreaking along the river so no vessel specifically being sent along the route.]

At this point, downbound traffic will be free to flow from Lake Ontario ports (Hamilton, Toronto), though not able to go any further than Iroquois Lock until Friday. So, we could see our first ship as early as mid-week.

Much more to come and we look forward to sharing it with you this season... Season #6!

Seaway Announces Opening Date

The opening of the 2013 navigation season is scheduled to take place on the following dates and times:

Montreal / Lake Ontario March 22, 2013 ‐ 0800 hours (D.S.T.)
Welland Canal March 22, 2013 ‐ 0800 hours (D.S.T.)

Vessel transits will be subject to weather and ice conditions.

This marks the third season in a row which March 22 will be the day to open the lock gates and begin navigation. Top Hat Ceremonies will take place, honoring the first ships of the season, at St Lambert Lock and the Welland Canal.

Tall Ship Empire Sandy to Visit Clayton

Clayton, NY (January 23, 2013) –Sailing Seaway Clayton presented by Caskinette’s Lofink Ford announced today that Canadian tall ship Empire Sandy has been added to the 2013 festivities.

Tall ship Empire Sandy is expected to help kick off the 2013 edition of the festival on Wednesday, June 12.

Empire Sandy, based out of Toronto, was built in the early 1940s for war service by the British government. It would go on to serve in World War II in the north Atlantic Ocean. The ship is now operated by Nautical Adventures and serves as a cruise ship on Lake Ontario, carrying more than 200 passengers.

The ship is more than 200-feet in length and is a three-mast schooner with a height of 116-feet.

Empire Sandy will join tall ship Lynx (122-feet long, 94-feet tall) in Clayton on June 12 and June 13 before departing for Brockville, Ontario. A complete tour schedule will be announced at a later date.

Folsom named to Lynx Board of Directors

Michael Folsom, 33, organizer of Sailing Seaway Clayton, was recently named to the position of Board member for the Lynx Educational Foundation, operators of tall ship Lynx.

Folsom was responsible for bringing Lynx to the Thousand Islands in June and September of 2011, creating strong interest in tall ships throughout the region. While Lynx was in Clayton, more than 500 people sailed aboard the ship during 2-hour sailing excursions, while several thousand climbed aboard for deck tours.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the folks from Lynx, including Executive Director Jeffrey Woods,” said Folsom. “I look forward to working with those on the Board to ensure the longevity of the ship and continue to grow interest, not only in Lynx, but all tall ships.”

Folsom will act as a public relations liaison for the Foundation and assist the staff and crew with promotional aspects.

Tall ship Lynx recently named Fort Myers Beach, Florida as it’s winter homeport. In 2011, the Clayton community gave a proclamation naming Lynx as Clayton’s “adopted tall ship.”

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Safe and Happy New Year to our readers! Thanks for making 2012 a successful year.

Seaway Season Coming to an End

UPDATE (10:30 p.m.) - John B Aird is passing Ogdensburg upbound at this hour. The ship should clear Cape Vincent sometime after 3 a.m.

Seaway set to officially close at 11:59 p.m.

(December 29 10:30 a.m.) - Today marks the final day of the 2012 season. Limited ship traffic remains, all heading upbound.

Algoma Navigator and Manitoba have played follow the leader through the region and passed Clayton around 10 a.m.

Algoma Montrealais, which was ahead of those two other ships yesterday, had stopped at Prescott anchorage and now trails them by about an hour or so.

Navigator will join Montrealais at Hamilton.

In the mix during the early morning hours came John B Aird. Aird is through the South Shore Canal and should clear Massena by mid-afternoon today. It will clear the Islands in the dark.

This will be the final ship of 2012.

Follow our Twitter feed throughout the day for updates.

UPDATE (December 28) - As of 4 p.m. it looks as if downbound traffic is complete for the season. Tug Ocean Golf passed through the region this morning and was clear of Iroquois Lock this afternoon. No others are shown headed from the lake.

Upbound traffic will see Canadian Coast Guard Griffon continuing through the region this afternoon for Port Weller, Algoma Transport will pass through after nightfall and Algoma Montrealais will pass in the early morning hours. Both Algoma ships are headed for Hamilton.

Manitoba is near Cote St Catherine Lock at this hour as well heading upbound.

Two unknowns seem to be tug Laprairie near St Lambert Lock and Algoma Navigator, which is stopped at Valleyfield.

ORIGINAL REPORT - The Seaway season is on the verge of closing for 2012.

On Thursday morning, ship traffic in the region found themselves held up due to heavy snow. Multiple ships were anchored off Tibbetts Point, Carleton Island and Bartlett Point. In addition, upbound traffic at Iroquois and Snell Locks were held up.

Just before 10 a.m. traffic started moving again.

Keep tabs on up to date Seaway happenings by following our Twitter feed at http://www.twitter.com/theshipwatcher.