Please complete your profile to unlock commenting and other important features.

Please select your date of birth for special perks on your birthday. Your username will be your unique profile link and will be publicly used in comments.
Narcity Pro

This is a Pro feature.

Time to level up your local game with Narcity Pro.

Pro

$5/month

$40/year

  • Everything in the Free plan
  • Ad-free reading and browsing
  • Unlimited access to all content including AI summaries
  • Directly support our local and national reporting and become a Patron
  • Cancel anytime.
For Pro members only Pro
Summary

2 Massive Ships Smashed Into Each Other At An Ontario Canal This Weekend (VIDEO)

The rare incident is currently under investigation.
Contributing Writer

Officials are investigating after a rare collision took place over the weekend. Two Ontario cargo ships were pulled out of commission after they collided in the Welland Canal. A video of the incident has appeared online and shows the moment the two boats crashed. 

According to The Weather Network, both the Alanis and the Florence Spirit mysteriously collided near Port Robinson on July 11. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. However, both vessels did sustain significant damage.

Traffic was briefly halted along the canal following the incident, which connects Lake Erie with Lake Ontario. The waterway is considered to be a key for shipping on the Great Lakes.

Video of the incident has since popped up on Twitter. In the clip, the two ships can be seen slowly moving towards each other unable to prevent their inevitable collision.

The video almost looks like it's playing out in slow motion as the two ships slowly touch heads. 

The two vessels were also in communication with each other during the entirety of the situation.

As dangerous as the event seemed, it's worth noting that Welland's fire department was not called to respond.

At the moment, it's unclear what could've caused the rare crash.

"It's a routine passage. It's an area that is common. Obviously, as witnessed by the public, there was an unfortunate incident that the two vessels collided," Jean Aubry-Morin, vice-president of external relations for the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, told CBC.

"We don't know if it's a mechanical failure of one of the vessels, most probably the Florence Spirit, or if it's a maneuver issue. At this point, it's too early to say."

"It's very unfortunate that this situation happened. We are curious to find what caused the situation."

However, this isn't the first time that ships in Ontario have made headlines. 

A famous shipwreck in Niagara Falls was caught shifting for the first time in 101 years after a massive storm swept through Ontario back in October. 

Explore this list   👀

    • Contributing Writer

      Patrick John Gilson (he/him) is a Contributing Writer with Narcity Media. He is a pro at ensuring his content is both exciting and tailored to millennials. He specializes in breaking news and investigative stories that require him to be on scene— something he enjoys and thrives in.

    This enchanting small town set on a BC island was named among North America's 'most peaceful'

    Sandy beaches, ancient forests and a cozy town — anyone?. 🌲

    Canada's housing market is set to get cheaper and 5 cities are dropping more than Toronto

    A buyer's market is finally taking shape across much of Canada. 🏡

    We compared a basket of 11 items at Costco, Loblaws, Sobeys & Walmart and prices vary so much

    The difference between the most and least expensive totals is $79.73! 👀