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Sundaisy E

Sundaisy E

Sundaisy E
Photo: ici.radio-canada.ca

The 146 meter long, 15332 dwt bulk carrier Sundaisy E ran aground on the St. Lawrence River off Batiscan, Quebec.  The Sundaisy E was en route from Turkey to Hamilton, Ontario with a cargo of cement when it suffered a generator failure.  The loss of the generator cut the engine and the bulk carrier went adrift until it grounded  off Batiscan. The vessel remained aground for several hours until the crew was able to restart the engine.  Under its own power, the Sundaisy E refloated itself.  Two tugs escorted the Sundaisy E to Trois-Rivières where the bulk carrier could be inspected and repaired.  Canadian authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Bella Desgagnes

Bella Desgagnes

Bella Desgagnes
Photo: radio-canada.ca

On November 25, the 97 meter ro-ro passenger ship Bella Desgagnes ran aground in the Gulf of St. Lawrence near Kegaska, Quebec. The Bella Desgagnes had encountered strong winds reaching in excess of 80 km/h when the vessel struck the seabed off Kegaska.  One of the vessel’s bow thrusters sustained damage.  None of the passengers were injured, but one crewman suffered minor injuries. The Bella Desgagnes proceeded to Sept-Îles at reduced speed.  Reports state divers had made an inspection to the bow thrusters  to see what repairs were necessary.

Barge Disappeared

Barge Disappeared

Photo: Canadian Coast Guard
Photo: Canadian Coast Guard

On October 24, the NTCL barge broke free from its towline and went adrift in the Beaufort Sea.  The 134 foot long self-propelled barge was under tow headed to Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, Canada after delivering supplies when it encountered a heavy storm in the Beaufort Sea.  When the towline parted, the tug continued on its way to Tuktoyaktuk instead of risking the crew in the storm.   The tug was able to reach port safely while the barge was driven westerly by the storm.

Canadian and US authorities dispatched aircraft to monitor the barge.  Reports state that there where little resources in the area as ice is quickly forming in the Beaufort Sea.  The barge owner, Northern Transportation Company, has attempted to rescue the vessel, but can’t find any available tugs in the area.

Photo: uscg
Photo: uscg

Five days later, the barge was last spotted off Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. However, flights during the following days were unable to locate the barge. Authorities believe the vessel could have frozen in the ice some 10 miles offshore or possibly sank.  Flights will continue and a GPS tracker will be dropped on the vessel if it spotted again. Reports state there are some concerns about pollution as some 3,500 litres of diesel fuel were still in the barge’s tanks.

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