WILFRED SYKES

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Bulkcarrier went crosswise

While downbound at the Soo Locks on May 29, 2025, at around 1 p.m., headed for the MacArthur Lock, the 'Wilfred Sykes' went crosswise above the MacArthur and Poe locks. There were no reports of damages, and there has been no official reason given, although waterfront report indicate currents may have been to blame. After getting squared away, the 'Wilfred Sykes' continued the voyage to Indiana Harbor, but later radioed Soo Traffic that they may have rolled a boulder in the Rock Cut further down river. The downbound vessels 'CSL St. Laurent' and 'Edgar B. Speer' were stopped at the locks, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ survey vessel Bufe was dispatched to the scene to look for any obstructions. None were found, and downbound traffic could be resumed just after 8 p.m.

Engine trouble on Lake Superior

On Jan 6, 2025, the former 'Wilfred Sykes', en route from Sailt Ste. Marie, suffered engine trouble on the Lake Superior. The 'Joseph L. Block' (IMO: 7502320) assisted the ship to an Anchorage in the sheltered Batchawana Bay, Ontario, where it was moored in pos. 46° 56' N 084° 33' W.

Bulk carrier freed from Lake Huron

The 'Wilfred Sykes' had to be freed from Lake Huron, near the mouth of the St. Clair River, in the early morning of Nov 26, 2021. She was downbound near the Blue Water Bridge when suffering a mechanical failure and lost control of the steering at around 11:30 p.m. on Nov 25. The pilot dropped anchor to prevent a collision with the U.S. seawall near the Coast Guard Station. The ship did not run aground and was freed shortly before 3 a.m. with the help of the tug 'Manitou'. The vessel was anchored in the American waters of Lake Huron, approximately 8-10 kilometres offshore. The crew was checking over all systems, and the vessel remained at anchor until cleared to depart by the USCG Sector Detroit. Report with photos: https://blackburnnews.com/sarnia/sarnia-news/2021/11/26/steamship-freed-lake-huron-gallery/