Wind forces ships to anchor

High winds are having an impact on ship traffic in the Welland Canal. The canal was closed in case the wind blew the ships into the locks and damaged them.  And those winds are leading to issues with ship traffic in Hamilton also.

The water is very choppy and because of the high winds, four ships are anchored near the Burlington Canal near the lift bridge. There are also four ships that were anchored a little further out in Lake Ontario. They will stay put until the winds die down. The Hamilton Portmaster does not want them to come into dock in case the winds buffet the ships against the docks and do some damage.

This is one of the busiest times for the port authority. Lots of materials that companies in the area need for the winter months come though at this time of year because the seaway closes at the end of December.

Some of the ships are looking to load grain for export while others are looking off-load material for the steel mills.

The port master will call the ships in to dock once it’s safe to do so.