The bulk carrier Tim S. Dool went aground in the St. Lawrence Seaway on Saturday, November 23, 2024.
The 730 foot bulk carrier M/V Tim S. Dool was outbound and loaded with grain when it went out of the channel and grounded on Crysler Shoal near RACON Buoy 73.
The U.S. Coast Guard, Canadian Coast Guard, the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, and the National Response Corporation coordinated efforts to complete an underwater survey to assess the feasibility of safely pulling the vessel free from the bed of the channel without damaging the hull.
The NOAA Incident News initial notification described the grounding as:
“M/V Tim S. Dool soft aground in mud in the St. Lawrence Seaway, having grounded mid-day on Nov 23. No pollution has been observed from the ship. Divers have inspected the hull and found no threatening damage. Fuel tanks have been sounded and 138,308 gallons of marine diesel oil are reported aboard. A salvage plan is being developed and a tug is on standby to assist as needed. USCG D9 DRAT and Sector Eastern Great Lakes requested spot weather forecasts.”
After completion of the survey, three tugs attempted to pull the M/V Tim S. Dool free on Friday, November 29. Efforts to free the vessel were unsuccessful and plans were made to remove part of its cargo to lighten the ship before further attempts to refloat it.
Removal of the wheat cargo began December 12 in preparation for an eventual refloating Effort. AIS data indicated multiple vessels working on the project, including the tug Ocean Aqua, tug Ocean Serge Genois, pushboat Ocean Catatug 2, multiple barges, and grab dredger Ocean Borromee Verreault.
On December 16, United coordination group, composed of multiple agencies successfully refloated the ship.
The completion of the Tim S. Dool’s refloat was the culmination of weeks of effort from the multiple local, state, federal, and international partner organizations making up the unified coordination group overseeing the operation. Extensive lightering operations were completed prior to the refloating.
The Tim S. Dool transited to safe anchorage where a more in-depth inspection and investigation will be completed. There are no reports of pollution or injuries, according to the U.S Coast Guard.
“The successful refloating of the M/V Tim S. Dool in the St. Lawrence Seaway was a great example of the professional and unified collaboration between the U.S. Coast Guard and our interagency and international partners in this region,” said Capt. Mark Kuperman, Federal On-Scene Coordinator and Commander of Sector Eastern Great Lakes. “This complex operation required close coordination between multiple federal agencies and our Canadian counterparts to ensure the safety of personnel, protection of the environment, and minimal disruption to vessel traffic. The importance of our partnerships cannot be understated in resolving maritime incidents safely and efficiently, while maintaining the flow of commerce through this vital waterway.”
U.S. Coast Guard units involved included Sector Eastern Great Lakes, Marine Safety Unit Thousand Islands and the District Nine Response Assist Team. These units worked closely with partner agencies including the Canadian Coast Guard, the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, Transport Canada, and Environmental and Climate Change Canada.
The cause of the grounding is still under investigation.
Throughout the process, mariners and ship spotting enthusiasts throughout the Great Lakes region monitored the story closely. Social media was active with discussions, photos, and other information.
The grounding was among several shipping incidents that occurred along the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Seaway in 2024. In March, the bulk carrier American Mariner struck Mud Lake Junction Light. On June 8th, U.S. Coast Guard personnel responded to the bulk carrier Michipicoten taking on water in Lake Superior.
Vessel Details and History
M/V Tim S. Dool (IMO: 6800919) is a Canadian flagged Handimax class gearless bulk carrier owned by Algoma Central Corporation. The vessel (Hull 1084) was built by St. John Shipbuilding in 1967.
Originally named Senneville, the ship was launched in October 1967. In 1973, M/V Sennevile earned the distinction of being the first downbound laker to enter and transit the Welland By-Pass.
In 1994, the vessel was sold to Algoma Central Corporation and renamed Motor Vessel Algoville.
In 2008, after refitting the ship with a modern fuel efficient main engine, Algoma Central Corporation renamed the Motor Vessel Algoville to the Motor Vessel Tim S. Dool.
On May 26, 2016, M/V Tim S. Dool, while in ballast, lost all electrical power and propulsion approximately 65 miles northwest of Whitefish Point in eastern Lake Superior. The vessel was towed to port for repairs.
In 2023, M/V Tim S. Dool was one of the first ships to participate in Algoma’s biofuel trials. During the trial period, M/V Tim S. Dool and M/V Algoma Guardian utilized B20 (marine diesel fuel blended with up to 20% biofuel) and eventually transitioned to run on B50 and B100 (100% biofuel).
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