The bulk freighter Algoma Compass arrived in Owen Sound on January 19th for Winter layup. The Compass has been a common visitor to Owen Sound for winter layup, with recent stays in Owen Sound in 2021-22 and 2025.
The freighter also tends to have its fair share of struggles. This year, it was the ice. As crowds awaited the arrival of the Algoma Compass on January 17th, it became apparent that they weren’t going to make it in when AIS trackers showed the vessel stopped near Leith.
On its way to Owen Sound, the Compass initially the promise of assistance from the CCGS Vincent Massey, which had been on its way ahead of the ship. However, the Vincent Massey turned back after reaching Tobermory, leaving the freighter unable to get into the harbour. The crew waited out in the Bay until the CCGS Judy LaMarsh arrived on January 18th to break the ice. Ice breaking operations continued on the 19th, allowing the Compass to tie up.
This was far from the first thime that the Algoma Compass has run into trouble. Some ship watchers and sailors know the ship for the technical issues, groundings, and collisions that it has experienced since it was built in 1973.
Even as recently as last year the Compass struggled with its winter layup. Less than six hours after arriving, the freighter was back on the water to pick up one last cargo before the Soo Locks closed. This last trip ended up extending the crew’s season for almost a month as they travelled to Sarnia for fuel, Thunder Bay for cargo, Detroit to unload, and back to Owen Sound for layup. It wasn’t a simple process either, as issues in Detroit resulted in the ship spending ten days stuck there.
Compared to that struggle, spending a couple days waiting near Leith was probably a walk in the park.