Engine Room Fire on ‘Algoma Discovery’ in Winter Lay-Up

By Michael Folsom,

PORT COLBORNE, ON (February 27, 2023) – A fire was reported Monday morning just after 9:00 a.m. EST aboard the wintering Algoma Discovery in the city of Port Colborne, Ontario. 

Fire crews and EMS were dispatched to the wharf along the Welland Canal for a fire in the engine room of the Canadian-flagged bulk carrier, which broke out during routine winter maintenance activities. Upon arrival, fire officials found the crew had disembarked and were without injury. Heavy smoke was reported to fill the engine room and a small fire was encountered by crews. The ship’s suppression system reportedly activated, as expected.

As firefighters boarded the ship using an aerial ladder to access the stern, others were preparing a water supply from the canal. 

Smoke could be seen billowing from the ship’s stack not long after crews had arrived. The situation was reported under control as ventilation was taking place around 10:30 a.m.

The ship has been tied up in Port Colborne since early January for winter lay-up. 

Familiar with issues, Algoma Discovery also experienced a fire onboard during its 2012 winter lay-up while in Hamilton, Ontario. In 2013, the ship collided with the lock gate in Beauharnois. And, prior to the conclusion of the 2022 Seaway shipping season, the ship was faced with a grounding east of Trois-Rivières, Quebec.

Algoma Discovery is owned by Algoma Central Corporation.

Michael Folsom is founder of The Seaway Ship Watchers Network, publisher of The Ship Watcher and the Downbound Discussions podcast covering St. Lawrence Seaway shipping news and information.