Captain Georgi Daymonov of the SS Sakar was christened with the ceremonial top hat on Thursday morning, marking the Port of Thunder Bay’s first ocean ship arrival of the year.
The Top Hat Ceremony has been around for generations as one of the first signs of spring in the city.
It hasn’t exactly felt like spring yet this year, though. Colder temperatures and heavy snowstorms called for tremendous icebreaking efforts from ships like the Edward Massey and the Spur to allow marine traffic through the port.
“Usually by the time the first saltie (ocean ship) arrives, we’re ice-free in the harbour, and that’s very much not the situation this year,” said Chris Heikkinen, CEO of the Port of Thunder Bay. “Every year can pose different challenges, and this year the ice certainly has been a challenge.”
Heikkinen said this is the most ice the Great Lakes have had since 2019.
“(The trip to Thunder Bay) was very tough. It’s a challenge because it was very vast ice, up to one meter,” Daymonov said. “But with the good knowledge of the pilot and good experience, we reached Thunder Bay.”
Daymonov and much of his 18-person crew are from Bulgaria. There are also Romanians and Ukrainians on board. The Sakar is a cargo ship sailing under the flag of Malta.
The Sakar stopped by Thunder Bay to pick up canola on its way to France. The 32,000-ton vessel will stay the night here before setting sail again Friday morning.
“We’ve officially opened the shipping season for international vessels to the Port of Thunder Bay, and this is significant for us,” Heikkinen said. “The international ships are responsible for 25% to 30% of the cargo that is shipped at our port annually, so it’s really important that we recognize the opening of the season when it does occur.”
Mayor Ken Boshcoff attended Thursday’s ceremony. He was once the port’s Director of Marketing. Boshcoff said he was happy to see Daymonov as he has Bulgarian heritage as well.
“The Port has always been a dear place in my heart. And it’s vital for our city. It’s a treat to be here today,” Boshcoff said.
