Day 3 of the 7 day Canada & New England Sea Day on the Ms Zaandam

Sea Day

Today we will make our way down the St. Lawrence River, an important waterway that allows vessels to travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes of the Midwest. As we sail, we are seeing many interesting sites.  Lots of history on the St Lawrence.  

 The canal system that enables ships to travel 2,342 miles from the mouth of the St. Lawrence River in Canada via the Great Lakes to Chicago dates from 1842, when the British built a system of four “bateau” canals for canoes around the rapids at Montreal. The link between the St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes was a complex undertaking because the canals would have to raise ships 230 feet to bypass Montreal and 327 feet to bypass Niagara Falls.

Under Canada’s piloted act the St. Lawrence between Les Escoumins – located on Quebec’s North Shore – and Montreal, the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes are mandatory pilotage areas. In these areas of higher risk, ships of certain sizes and tonnages are legally required to have one or more licensed pilots on board. These pilots have in-depth knowledge of the river, its dynamics, and the regulations and restrictions in force in their pilotage area. They ensure that ship transits are safe, efficient and respect sensitive ecosystems. 

Between Les Escoumins and Montreal, foreign vessels over 35 metres in length, Canadian vessels over 70 metres in length whose total transport capacity (gross tonnage) exceeds a certain tonnage, and barges carrying pollutants are subject to compulsory pilotage. The  Laurentian Pilotage Authority is the Crown corporation responsible for managing compulsory pilotage on this section of the St. Lawrence as well as on the Saguenay River. It is responsible for assigning licensed pilots to the ships that require them. 

Tonight we had dinner in the Pinnacle restaurant.  So so good. Up charge for this restaurant but we get 2 free per 7 days of sailing.  Few pictures