Monthly Archives: November 2012

Tundra Aground off Sorel PQ.

The Bulker Tundra, Which departed Montreal for Halifax loaded with soyabeans on Wendsday, ran aground outside the channel off Sorel-Tracy Quebec. No word on cause or damage, but water levels are very low in the St. Lawerence system this year.

CTV is reporting that the Halifax Grain Elevator is also filling up, as exports increase due to the cancelation of the Wheat Boards monopoly. Farmers can now sell their wheat directly, and Buyers are responsible for shipping. No wheat was exported from Halifax in 2009.

1800AST Updated With TSB Photo

UPDATE 12/2 via boatnerd.com – On Saturday morning, four Group Ocean tugs were attempting to pull the grounded freighter Tundra from her strand. The tugs were Duga, Ocean Charlie, Ocean Jupiter and Ocean Ross Gaudrault.

Image by Gitou via ship spotting.com

UPDATE 12/3 ais still shows her in position, so the attempt was unsuccessful

UPDATE 12/4 There is a Live webcam of the Tundra http://www.marinfo.gc.ca/fr/Glaces/camera.asp?camera_no=18&player_no=1  (Requires Windows Media Player)

UPDATE 12/5 – Looks like lightering operations have begun. Tugs and Barge are in attendance. (Image from the above webcam, note time is in EST)

UPDATE 12/5 1300AST – Shes free and underway.

Help Save Part of Canada’s Costal Forces from WWII

The Canadian Coastal Forces Trust has launched a campain to raise funds to Purchase and restore a WWII Motor Torpedo Boat. In the Course of thier research, they have identified ex RCN MTB 486 curently acting as a house boat in the UK. The Plan is to Purchase the vessel, and have MTB Marine Ltd., who maintain Britain’s MTB 102, to restore MTB 486 back to operational condition.  MTB Marine have provided a quote of $750,000 to make MTB 486 operational again.

You can Contribute Via Indiegogo or CanadaHelps.org

(Bellow) MTB 486 as she appears today.


To My knowlege, the only other vessels preserved in canada from the second world war are HMCS Haida in Hamilton (Tribal Class destroyer) and HMCS Sackville (Flower Class Corvette) in Halifax

Carol to Anchor

The Maltease Flagged bulker Carol Arrived this morning and anchored in the basin. She passed the outbound Atlantic Huron after exiting the narrows on the basin side.(Below) Carol was most recently in Sorel PQ. She is owned and Manged by NYK Bulkship Atlantic.

Compared to Atlantic Huron, Carol lacks any handling gear, and is therefore required to make use of dockside equipment.