Albanyborg Update

Albanyborg got underway today at 1500, coinciding with high tide, and headed for Baie-Comeau. As per the previous post the ship was delayed by engine trouble and had to await a technician from Montreal.

Albanyborg underway. That is the Morin Shoal buoy just above the ship's anchor windlass.

According to shipping reports on line the ship experienced three momentary engine failures. However the reports I have seen are in error, reporting that the ship left the berth but returned for repairs. My own eyewitness account is that the ship never let its lines go and never budged from the pier. Line handlers were on the dock and the ship's deck crew were at their stations, but never touched the lines. There was significant smoke with each of the engine restarts, and after more than half an hour the crew members stood down and the line handlers left the dock.

Engine failures have become an all too frequent occurrence of late, with dozens of ships losing power in Canadian waters this year. On August 10 Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin lost power while leaving Quebec City, and returned to the dock, the bulker V. Sanderling lost power off the Ile d'Orléans August 11 and went to anchor, and Qamutik lost power off Betsiamites, QC on August 12 and was drifting for a time. In all cases the crew were able to effect repairs before the ship got into serious trouble.

There does not appear to be a single cause for these incidents, but it is worrisome trend. It is only a matter of time before some ship does become disabled and unable to help itself.

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