An investigation is underway following a collision between "Florence Spirit" and "Alanis" in the Welland Canal. The incident occurred around 4 p.m. Saturday near Port Robinson when the dry bulk cargo ship "Alanis", which was carrying windmill parts to Duluth, Minnesota, collided during a passing maneuver with the "Florence Spirit", which was carrying coal on its way to Quebec. Editors Note: According to the "Welland Tribune", the Florence Spirit was heading down the canal while the MV...
Manoeuvring large ships at close quarters and on shallow water is one of the most difficult aspects of shiphandling because of the complex hydraulic interactions depending on the ships' speeds, on the water depth and on lateral restrictions like in canals. Training is conducted both on meeting and on overtaking ships in shallow waters. This video shows how overtaking in a canal can easily fail.
More information: http://www.portrevel.com/3781-shiphan...
State regulators on Friday banned cargo ship pilots from using personal cellphones on Maryland waters. The Maryland Board of Pilots, which oversees cargo ship pilots, approved a rule change 10 months after, and in direct response to, the Ever Forward's weekslong grounding in the Chesapeake Bay. Instead of leading the team on the bridge of the Ever Forward, the pilot was on his phone for an hour, texting, sending emails and taking screenshots before running aground and getting stuck for 45...
