It Is Always Salty In Philadelphia | Salt Carrier MV Algoma Verity Runs Aground | Jan 8, 2025

[@PlanesTrains-stuff]

“full Juan Browne”…love it!!

[@micturatedupon]

Sal's been on fire lately, what with that, and the conclave lollll

[@blaydCA]

Self loading, Self sustainable AND Self Grounding!

[@wgowshipping]

Dang...why did I not think of that.

[@blaydCA]

@wgowshipping Because you're not senile like me?

[@richardfay825]

Apparently

[@bfs007a]

...self loathing?

[@mattheww2797]

The wind has been wicked here in the Northeast for the past couple of days, wouldn't doubt that they got pushed out of the channel

[@Paul-g9w1z]

The constant high port beam winds seem to be a factor. Additionally, the consistent high northwesterly winds also have a dramatic effect on the Delaware River and Bay water depths. The winds especially in winter literally blow the water out of the Bay, the last 70 miles of channel essentially aligned NW to SE all the way to the ocean. Combine that with very low freshwater flows from upstream. The National Weather Service has issued warnings about water levels expected to drop from 2 to 3 feet BELOW Mean Low Lower Water through Friday. PS, the anchorage described is actually called Marcus Hook Anchorage, and the ship approaches to anchor have been recently altered by dredging operations close to the western side / Marcus Hook LPG Terminal.

[@Ronritdds]

Dr. Sal, you provide a tremendous service for those of us who are not familiar with the details of merchant Marine shipping. Thank you.

[@dougkratz5269]

Hey, we here in Philadelphia's skid and slide around in the middle of summer. So while we need the salt, cuz it's a colder than normal January unfortunately that alone won't stop us from skidding and sliding. Thanks for the hometown update Sal

[@JoanneLeon]

We just got a 50lb bag of icemelt ourselves, lol. But yeah, starting on Sunday everywhere I go it has been salted with 2 storms in the forecast, though mostly dud storms after all. Cold as heck.

[@paulholmes672]

Sal, heartily disagree on the Juan Browne comparison, you are both equally good as the place to go for your respective disciplines, and a long time subscriber to him and year long subscriber to you. Your counsel and international information is without peer. Thank You Sir!!!

[@TheVigilant109]

Very informative. Many thanks

[@timoliver8940]

I remember years ago arriving off Sandy Hook to take a pilot up into Holland Hook container terminal on the NW side of Staten Island. I was instructed to overtake the bulk carrier ahead if me to board the pilot before her. It was a miserable night almost whiteout conditions with driving snow. Once the pilot was bearded and settled in I asked why I was asked to bring my ETA forward………… “Well Cap, that bulkcarrier is the last ship that the port will allow in before closing the port due to the weather and we have to get her in as she’s carrying (I cannot remember how much but it must have been similar size to the one grounded in Philly) road salt and she will berth in the Kills which will hold your berthing up. As you can see we need her alongside tonight due to the snow and if you had nit speeded up you would be going to anchor maybe for a few days while the terminal clears the d is iff the boxes, ithe guys will appreciate getting in some shopping at the mall until the terminal cleans the snow!” We ended up with an unheard if 5 days alongside because of that dump of snow. Had equally heavy snow falls and way lower temperatures when I was making regular winter calls in Montreal (we were a class 1 ice strengthened container ship, a rare beast!) and maintained a year round service from Europe to Montreal. Heavy snow never stopped container ops in Montreal but low temperatures usually meant no cargo ops between about 9pm and 7am in the winter when we regularly saw -30C in the river and gulf! I had Filipino rating on the ship who normally thought it was a cold day if the temperature dropped to +28C………..

[@MultiEinsteinium]

Full Juan Browne....I too am a crossover between Blancolirio and WIGOWS viewer lol I wonder how many of us there are...

[@JKwakulla]

Many

[@ADHJkvsNgsMBbTQe]

Quite a few evidently.

[@dcimedic]

We’ve been having some really strong winds and gusts up here in the Philly area and I’m told that that channel isn’t really wide

[@raymondsosnowski9717]

Another excellent informative report! Keep up the good work, Sal!

[@joelferguson8714]

Thank you Sal, without you a lot of us me, would never know.

[@michaelharrington223]

You know Sal never really cared much about shipping until covid. Which is very sad considering my father and both grandfather were merchant Mariners. You have peeked my interest and help me gain so much knowledge of world shipping. Now to where I definitely find it interesting, I so appreciate you.

[@kirara4953]

Logistics are fun

[@josephpadula2283]

My Arco crude oil tanker, steam ship built at Beth Steel, ran aground in the Delaware Bay /River in 1981. We were maneuvering and I was on watch in the Engine room . My classmate was the mate on watch at the time . Before the pilot if I remember right . No leaks and we got off easily . It is not a rocky river , sand and mud Mostly , so good chance no damage to bottom . My first time with a Coast Guard investigation….

[@tedmoss]

The Ben Franklin Bridge, I remember driving across it twice just for fun when they finally removed the toll on it.

[@benkline4784]

Thank you Sal!

[@MM22966]

"Hey, our ship got mentioned in WIGOWS!" "Aw crap, Sal only talks about a ship if something bad happens..."

[@wilmaharvey4216]

THANKS, SAL MERC!!!!😉😁 Subscribed since you first started posting videos!!!: AWESOMENESS is the best way to explain you, and your vast first hand in the know knowledge by a Professional!!! I liked the shout out to Juan BROWNE, and his channel!! You are Just Like Juan in the way you present information, and explain everything in terms very understandable by the public!!!😉🤔🤔🤔😁 Please keep up the Great Work you do, and I'm GREATFUL to you for the time, and effort you put in bringing us all this information!! I know it's taking alot of time away from your family, and friends or just some personal SAL TIME!!!🤔 I'm not too far away from Cambell myself. I'm up North West of Winston-salem!! Take Care my Friend!!!🥇😉😉😉😉 BE BLESSED😑🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤😉🙂😊

[@chuckm6486]

Nice to get a look at the Delaware River! Anyway, I would think (amateur speaking here) that as a fully loaded ship she might have been better situated (both heavy and relatively low) to resist the wind. That she might have had an earlier incident immediately north of the Ben Franklin Bridge makes me wonder just what was goin on in the Algoma Verity's bridge. I wonder what the crew on the accompanying tug might know.

[@AllNighterHeider]

Master Craftsman Title Scriptist Always delivering 😂 Thanks Sal

[@JPaul60]

Thanks for the explanation Sal.

[@Eriske1874]

I’ve been just down the river on Dredge McFarland doing repairs and the wind has been ripping pretty good all week. No surprise if it was a factor.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

Rather long time out the channel. On the bright side as far as I know the bottom of the river is mostly silt and mud. Not rocks. Are there any reports that the buoys moved or something? Did have some trouble finding salt this week. Expecting snow tonight. When will we get a Update on the S.S. United States drama? They still appear to be stuck here. I think the Coast Guard claimed they were not seaworthy? Is there any buyer's remorse for the county down in Florida? I believe they're being fined for time not moved from the berth? 🙆🏽‍♂️ And no folks, it's not always sunny here... It is today however. 🌞

[@bryanst.martin7134]

Gives new meaning to Sounding Ship. They used to just drop weights on long cords with knots and such.. This Captain has it down to an art. "Ain't no bottom I can't find!"

[@richardfay825]

Thank you Professor Sal !...just curious why bulk ships load Salt in the Bahammas?...I did not know they have notable salt mines / resources..

[@robg9236]

Me too. Searsport, Maine imports a lot of salt, coming from either North Africa or Chile.

[@toploadtele]

Thanks for what you so Sal! Question: Would you do a video on the history of the Panama Canal ownership and operation? As a real estate agent, I understand contract law with leases and sales of real property etc... but know nothing about treaties and governmental control of territories outside of the US. Thanks in advance!

[@JKwakulla]

Good thought/idea. I'll second that Sal.

[@wgowshipping]

That is Episode 3 of Shipping 101 coming out next Saturday.

[@blaydCA]

If you know wants a canal so bad.... ....he should dig one South of Georgia USA ...

[@NuclearSalmon]

Would a fish finder at the bow help any for depth awareness lol

[@PapaTanGh0stNI9htM4R3S0nMaInSt]

Pilots should know every inch of that channel, every sand bar, obstacle shoal or outcrop.

[@blaydCA]

Only if the fish finder can locate a Dunkin Donuts....

[@Go4Corvette]

Thanks Sal 👍

[@davemeeks8109]

Here on the Ohio River we have very few ocean going vessels, occasionally a LST. 😊😢

[@itemushmush]

I havent even BEGUN to -peak- list

[@RobertFothergill-u1z]

Once you get past the Ben Franklin the water gets pretty skinny and the channel is pretty narrow. Throw in some serious winds and it's pretty common to bump the bottom. Also it's been years but I'm pretty sure they needed a bridge opening too.

[@codegame027]

I wonder if they would consider transloading to barges or lighten load?

[@lhaaa1059]

Thanks Sal & Juan.

[@Erah001]

the first slow down is when they pass over a 10m depth mark, its bottom likely scrapped a big underwater speed bump? 100% agree with the juan browne statement! i listen to him since the oroville dam spillway failure

[@wendigo53]

Self-unloader is well-positioned to unload part of the cargo to barges... I'm guessing the bottom is all sand/silt?

[@nighthawk784]

The anchorage is known as the Marcus Hook Anchorage. The Delaware River Pilots Association has 75 pilots.

[@stevem048]

Great video Sal. Someone needs to stop moving land into the paths of these ships.

[@Mondo762]

Tell that to the Navy.

[@blaydCA]

That land needs to GIVE WAY and turn immediately!

[@DigitalNeb]

Honestly, as far as maritime mistakes go, this one seems pretty understandable to me. I imagine that wind was pushing the ship like a sail. I hope they're able to get everything sorted out with a minimum of fuss.

[@benkline4784]

Question, when tugs are attached to the ship and said ship grounds are the tugs/tug captains responsible at all?

[@JoanneLeon]

Hasn't really been above freezing for quite awhile here. Little bit of melting by sun but otherwise really cold for many days. Some windy days especially Tues & Weds

[@beerdrinker6452]

Nice video.

[@watomb]

Winds have been pushing me around all day. Can’t imagine being empty. Guessing lack of control authority caused it

[@jaymacpherson8167]

At 23:15, they probably thought dragging anchor might sever a telecom or power cable. That is all the rage in Europe, and maybe they want to play too?

[@reubensandwich9249]

1. Just curious what Plimsoll mark they used. 2. If the Eagles lose on Sunday, there will be plenty of salt in the area.

[@JoanneLeon]

For sure. Go Birds!

[@irondarknessdarkness8900]

our shipping reporter hard at work, and i thought that was listed as a table salt carrier.

[@riverflyswatter]

Love this channel

[@MarcosElMalo2]

Full Juan Brown? Where’s the NTSB preliminary report? 😅 Every time Juan says “avoidable”, drink. Or maybe “aviate, navigate, communicate”

[@danmorrissette4814]

You are the Best

[@CrystalAbrahams]

📚 Happy 🗨 POET's Day! (Piss Off Early 🗓 Tomorrow's Saturday!) 🇨🇦

[@Prifly70]

One day soon we are gonna hear Juan say "Full Dr.Sal." If he hasn't already. Experts recognize experts.

[@phil20_20]

Well, at least it's not in the Chesapeake this time. That sure looked close to the channel when it grounded.

[@stephenrickstrew7237]

Possibly the world’s largest Salt Shaker …it sure could make a lot of Margaritas…

[@rickymherbert2899]

Do they have PECs, Pilotage Exemption Certificate, on the Delaware River? When I was at sea I had a PEC for the Thames all the way up to the Millennium Dome. Every four years we would have to re-new our PEC doing basically the same exam as the Thames pilots. Also had to do a trip in and out with a pilot on board to assess one's competency.

[@wgowshipping]

I have not seen any indication, but she may based on the frequency of visits.

[@filmbuffo5616]

This will make that city slicker.

[@queazocotal]

I wonder if the self-unloading can work with a minor list to a shallow barge alongside.

[@df446]

If the A.I.S. track line is sometimes subject to errors (at 7:20), what data is used to show the little ship icon with such accuracy?

[@wgowshipping]

The ship track is from a sampling of the ships positions, basically a composite.

[@RobertLee-um3mr]

On Lake Superior ships lose a good ais signal all the time. I check a location and the ship icon will pop up an hour later 100 miles away refreshed.

[@capthanktx486]

2 comments Sal: 1. Will this have a negative effect on the availability of salt for my Margaritas ? 2. At the very end of the video of the vessel aground you can see some ducks. Is it possible the ship veered to starboard to avoid them OR did someone on the bridge shout “duck” causing the helmsman to lose control ?

[@jm2453]

I don't think this is what happened, but how hard would it be to spoof a ship and make it think its navigating correctly when it isn't? I'd think they would have plenty of visual queues here, but if they were with bad visibility and instruments only? Would there be something we might want to worry about in light of recent shipping issues like the dark fleet and cable sabotage?

[@rockyraccoon1456]

Hey Sal, We would like to know how they got the ship off the mud flat?

[@bfs007a]

Has shipping always been this crazy or is it just that I have started following this channel? So I am a sailor (not a real professional one, just on my own boat), if I see a ship at sea, what would be some warning signs where I should stay extra clear? An erratic AIS track? Any flags I should be careful with? Rustiness?

[@CarltonTweedle]

It looks like they need to widen the channel, in case of bad weather plus why no two tugs after that bridge hit.

[@ocrow8079]

Thanks...always interesting

[@12gauge1oz]

Excellent report! Was the pilot on board at the time of the grounding?

[@wgowshipping]

Yes. They will remain on board while transiting.

[@12gauge1oz]

@@wgowshipping Great channel. The in-depth explanations are greatly appreciated.

[@lancomedic]

I know you called it a “bulk” carrier but how would that salt be loaded? Is it loose or in large containers or in bags on pallets?

[@AlanCoffey]

VERY windy here yesterday Sal. Cause?

[@wgowshipping]

I think so.

[@chrischester2417]

If she is grounded on the starboard side,why isn’t the list to the port side?

[@wgowshipping]

It depends on the nature of the bottom and if the cargo has shifted.

[@kennethanderson1685]

❤

[@yellads]

Is just 1 metre of free draft below the hull normal?

[@richardfay825]

There may not be enough salt for Margarittas in Philly now...😅

[@KurtEllison-x1y]

"The Gang Crews a Bulker" On a Wednesday.

[@dennisclapp7527]

Thanks Sal

[@jeffl3205]

Hey, Sal. What about a video on the S.S. UNITED STATES? It not a commercial ship, but is expexted to be a part of commercial diving off Florida someday. Delays have prevented her being moved. She may not be seaworthy. It will be a commercial operation to move her down the Delaware out of Philly to Newport before the trip to Florida. I hope you do a few videos on her. ❤ Accident report and associated videos may follow this ship.

[@wgowshipping]

I did one when it was announced that she was to be scrapped.

[@jeffl3205]

@wgowshipping Something tells me there will be more...

[@rjkee5157]

I can see that the wind would have some effect but why not correct for it.. Don't these captains read their charts?

[@johncheresna]

Thanks, again.

[@greggorjk8100]

That US captain is going to have to buy a round for all the other US captains at the lodge at the next US ship captains club meeting

[@mrbaab5932]

So, some people Bucked up twice in Bucks County.

[@mrbaab5932]

When and how did Lake Champaign have salt water 💦 and Beluga Whales 🐳 ? How are their salt mines under the Finger Lakes of upstate New York?

[@mikespillman3075]

Because we dont have salt here in the U.S?

[@michelleayres5608]

❓️What can be the ramifications of the LA fires on building supplies❓️

[@Richard-od7yd]

Was it near any underwater cables ?😂

[@johnbiggs]

"The Gang Buys a Boat"

[@RobertLee-um3mr]

Too bad you didn't cover the Maccoa when she grounded Christmas 🎄 eve. She was sideways in the Seaway n of Montreal without blocking the channel. The first attempt to free her last month failed but was refloated Tuesday. Welland Canal closed today at noon. Soo locks close 1/15/25 @ 12:00. Which ship will be the last one for the season? Guess and win. The last ship through the Soo gets pizza 🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕 delivered by the Ojibway on livestream for the crew. What pizza 🍕 and how many? Part of the contest.

[@wgowshipping]

I was able to the Tim S Dool.

[@iKerby]

Would you ever make a video with the things you believe a trading company (energy/metals/agricultural products/containers) operator/charterer should know? Do you have anything you would recommend for someone who works at an energy trading firm and would like to know more about operations?

[@timothynorton6137]

I am suprised about the salt imports. I thought we have Huge salt deposits in NY and other states that are being mined. Need to reduce restrictions and increase aporovals for mine expansions and new domestic mines so we dont import commodites we have in abundance ourselves.

[@PhillySail]

Not helping, we are having historic low tides between drought and the sustained NW winds for days!

[@davidcerullo7976]

Sal, I slowed down your video to 65% and you sound like you are intoxicated. I hope 🙏 I am wrong 😂. Go in peace ✌️ to all!

[@SPIKESPIEGEL1969]

Your last name absolutely rocks. Really rolls off the tongue. Wish I had a cool name too... sad face

[@billykershaw2781]

Evening Sal, is it a case of more incidents, or more awareness? The James Caird Award goes to that bald guy who used logic to counter those sharey carey lovelies who ran that archipelago off the West coast of Europe...I keep promoting this channel,...There once was a Jolly Captain, who wished nothing more....Jake Thackray. Oh, almost forgot, how long did it take to build the Lego globe? Many thanks, free education.....

[@wgowshipping]

It took about a week or so to make the globe.

[@mellissadalby1402]

Stray just a bit from the channel and then run aground? I HATE it when that happens!

[@MchaelHowell]

So they need to offload some salt and reflect the ship.

[@danielayers]

Its never good when a large ship gets stuck in your passage.

[@RumRunneerFilms]

Time for America to make its own salt instead of shipping it in. 🤪

[@williamwebberjr8045]

How is it possible in modern day USA?

[@jimbo_134]

didnt see any day shapes...

[@nickdawson9270]

Thanks for this informed explanation. Amazing to me how far a ship of that size can navigate inland from your east coast. Illustrates the contribution of marine transport to the US economy.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

@@nickdawson9270 ships are able to travel the Delaware River from the ocean up the channel some 96.5 miles. barge traffic goes about another 30 miles to Trenton.

[@muhdiversity7409]

Ship came to load all the salt from November's election ?

[@roderickcampbell2105]

Ah yes, I think we all follow Juan. I'd say "nerds think alike" be it nautical, aviation, or nuclear physics.

[@randallbuxbaum7000]

Haha. Salmolirio with Live MTC

[@JoanneLeon]

Go Birds!