The Bahamas-flagged cargo m/v "ALGOMA DISCOVERY", 34752 dwt (IMO-No.: 8505848), ran aground early this morning (February 9th 2010) while in transit from Québec City to Norway. The vessel had departed Québec at 04h00 local with a cargo of nickel and titanium. At about 04h45, while eastbnd with the assistance of local pilots, the vessel suffered an engine failure. The reason is still unknown if it was a complete black out or only a steering failure or main engine failure but with the ebb current, the vessel did a large turn on her port side and despite dropping the anchor, she nearly missed the St-Laurent yacht club breakwater and went aground on the Ile d'Orléans bank at about 400 m. west of the Yacht club.

The vessel remained in this situation until refloated about 8 hours later with the assistance of 3 tugs and the high tide. The vessel proceeded back to Québec for hull and machinery inspection by Transport Canada. Canada TSB will do an investigation on this incident. The vessel had ran aground in Germany only 4 1/2month ago. The reason of grounding was then an electrical defect in the steering of the CPP.

The ALGOMA DISCOVERy has the Bahamas flag and is being operated by Algoma Shipping Inc. Bridgetown, Barbados (sub. of Algoma Central Corp., operated & managed by CSL Int'l Inc., Beverly, MA)
Built 1987 / 3. Maij Brodogradiliste, Rijeka, Yugoslawia. Ex Malinske; Daviken
L 222,43 B 23,08 D 9,88 (729’ x 76’x48’)