Here is the Algoma Intrepid seen arriving through the harbor entry in Superior, Wisconsin on the afternoon of April 3, 2023. She had been sitting at anchor, waiting for the Burns Harbor to depart, before taking her place at the Burlington Northern #5 dock to load taconite (iron ore pellets). She would eventually deliver the taconite to Quebec City.
Even if the Burns Harbor hadn't vacated the dock, it was likely that the Algoma Intrepid would have entered the harbor to seek shelter from the oncoming storm. The dead calm we enjoyed while watching the Burns Harbor depart only minutes earlier turned into a cold, stiff breeze out of the northeast. The breeze would eventually turn into a howling wind that reached upwards to 60mph at points with 20+ foot waves. The anchorage area outside of the harbor would have provided no protection at all from the wind.
What should have been a 12-hour visit from the Algoma Intrepid turned into a three day visit while everyone waited for the storm to pass. It was one of those storms that even the bear on the Intrepid's bow took shelter! Okay, truth be told, the Intrepid has yet to receive the distinctive bear logo that her fleet mates already carry. (Paint must be more expensive in Canada, eh?) She does have a baby bear on her smokestack, however.
Note the port anchor has been readied to drop just in case she carries too much speed towards the dock. We occasionally see ships do this as they arrive in Superior, as there is no place to go (except aground) if they find themselves moving too fast.
The 650-foot Algoma Intrepid is an Equinox Class lake carrier built for Algoma Central, delivered in November 2020. The Equinox Class vessels are designed to increase overall operating efficiency by 45% over the older class of vessels that Algoma was operating. The Algoma Innovator is powered by a 11,144hp 5RT-Flex50-D slow speed two-stroke five-cylinder diesel engine driving a single controllable pitch propeller. An exhaust scrubber system reduces emissions by 40% per ton of cargo carried. She has a cargo capacity of 25,000 tons and is fitted with a 260-foot front-mounted self-unloading boom to allow her to discharge her cargo without the need for shore side unloading equipment.
Note: If you notice this footage has a slightly bouncy, floaty effect in places, it's the stabilization in my camera trying to compensate for the wind. It's a little undesirable, but it beats a lot of jiggling and shaking that would otherwise be present. Even though I use a tripod, the wind can still be an issue.