Algobay/2002



Great Lakes Fleet Page Vessel Feature -- Algobay

By George Wharton

Launched as the Algobay on June 19,1978; this lake and ocean self-unloading bulk carrier was built for Algoma Central Corp., Sault Ste. Marie, ON by Collingwood Shipyards, Collingwood, ON at a reported cost of $30 million. The Algobay is powered by twin Pielstick V-10 cylinder 5350 horsepower diesel engines driving a controllable pitch propeller giving her a rated service speed of 12 knots. She is equipped with a "V" shaped bow to the 24 foot line for working in ice and has a 1000 horsepower bow thruster. Fed by 22 hatches, her 5 holds can carry 25350 tons at maximum Seaway draft of 26 feet and is capable of carrying 34900 tons at her maximum mid-summer draft of 32 feet 8 inches. Her self-unloading equipment consists of a 3 belt gravity system with a loop belt elevator feeding a 261 foot discharge boom that can swing 90 degrees to port or starboard and can discharge at a rate up to 5440 tons per hour.

On Nov.14, 1978; the Algobay was leaving Sept Isles, PQ destine for Sydney, NS with a load of iron ore when she was is collision with the 90000 ton Italian registered ore carrier Cielo Bianco. The tug Pointe Marguerite, which was towing the salty at the time, was crushed between the larger vessels and sunk with the loss of 2 lives. After repairs were made, the Algobay was involved in a head-on collision with the Montrealais on a foggy St. Clair River on June 25, 1980 with resulting extensive bow damage to both vessels (a reported $500,000 repair bill to the Algobay alone!).

The Algobay was upgraded to "Caribbean Class" during the winter of 1987-88 thus allowing her to trade on deep sea Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico routes. She was chartered by Canada Steamship Lines in 1992 and was renamed Atlantic Trader in 1994. After her return off charter, 1997 saw her regain her original name of Algobay.

The Algobay currently sails under the management of Seaway Self Unloaders (partnership of Algoma Central and Upper Lakes Group). On behalf of S.S.U., her cargo could include coal/coke, aggregates, slag, iron ore/oxides, salt, fertilizers, grain products, gypsum, quartzite, and sand. As with all S.S.U. vessels, the Algobay is equipped with a DGPS (Differential Global Positioning System) precision navigation system.

Being the vessel with the largest cargo carrying capacity of the current Algoma Central fleet, the Algobay should have a secure and productive future trading on the Great Lakes and deep sea routes long into the century.

Overall dimensions

Length: 730'00"

Beam: 75'10"

Depth: 46'06"

Capacity (tons): 34,900