By Tyler Kula, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
When repairing and replacing steel on a bulk cargo ship, the colder the better, says a field superintendent overseeing some of the ship repairs in Sarnia this winter.
“The mild temperatures are actually harder doing the work because the air is heavier,” said Jeff Gibson with Fraser Marine and Industrial.
So a subzero climate is a welcome change from a mostly mild winter, he said.
The cold keeps workers from shedding protective gear while welding, he said. “The colder it is, to a point, the better.”
The Algoma Central Corporation company is taking on $5 million in repair work for four of the five ships berthed at docks in Sarnia-Lambton.
Eleven ships are expected in the area this winter, officials said, providing a boost to the local economy.
Fraser will have 70 workers on the Algolake alone within two weeks, Gibson said. All are local hires from Sarnia and Lambton County, but many stay in Sarnia hotels and apartments.
“All our safety gear, harnesses, glasses, hard hats, all come from local suppliers as well,” he said.
Ballast tank and bulk head steel work on the Algolake will require about 250,000 pounds (113,398 kilograms) of steel, he said.
Sarnia’s a desired port for ships needing repair, said Garry McDonald, president of the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce. “We’ve got a very good reputation in our community for machining and outfitting and refitting marine vessels,” he said. “It helps our port and our harbour get through the winter season quite nicely.”
The St. Lawrence Seaway closed on Dec. 30, ending a record 284-day shipping season. The previous record was 283 days in 2006.
Some 227,000 jobs and $34 billion in economic activity are supported by moving goods along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway, according to a recently published Marine Delivers economic impact study.
Environment Canada predicts temperatures will climb above freezing on Sunday and Monday, before settling back to the 0 C mark on Tuesday.
Observer Article ID# 3444021
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