Empire Sandy collides with freighter
The tall ship Empire Sandy was involved in what was described as a minor collision at Lock 8 in Port Colborne during the city’s annual Canal Days festival.
An eyewitness said that at about 8:30 p.m. on Saturday the vessel collided with the lock.
Arron Jeavons, was on deck when the ship “hit the right side of the lock somewhat hard,” after entering Lock 8.
Right after that, the ship hit the back of a freighter. The freighter was identified as the Ina, a bulk carrier cargo ship registered in Liberia.
The tall ship was diverted to a trip through the lock, instead of a planned Lake Erie excursion, due to strong winds.
Helen Smith, also on Empire Sandy, said she noticed the engine of the ship sounded as though it was working rather hard right before impact. She said the prow of the ship then collided with Ina.
“I can’t say we felt much where we stood. The engines continued to strain wildly and then we smacked, pretty hard into the west side of the lock,” she said in an email.
Smith said the impact wasn’t hard enough for her to stumble or really feel much impact.
Michelle Cuthbert, Port Colborne’s marketing, customer relations and communications coordinator, said St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. is investigating. Cuthbert confirmed there were no injuries due to the collision.
At about 10:30 p.m. Jeavons and the rest of the Empire Sandy passengers were safely back in the lock. He said the mood was “upbeat” and people were “having fun.”
“It’s all good … Some people dancing and having fun nonetheless. Music on and bar open,” he said via Facebook.
Smith said the crew remained calm during the incident. She said it didn’t affect the music, dinner or drinks services during the cruise.
It was Jeavon’s first time on Empire Sandy. The Brantford man said despite the minor crash he would go on another cruise on the tall ship.
Smith, who is from Welland, has sailed on Empire Sandy about a hald-dozen times. She said the collision hasn’t changed her opinion of the ship and she’ll continue to go on cruises in the future.
St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. and Empire Sandy did not reply to phone calls or emails before deadline.