Anyone hoping to watch the Frontenac depart Midland harbour will have to wait a little longer.
While some area residents likely view Coast Guard ice-breaking operations and the laker's departure from its winter berth at the Midland grain elevators as a sure sign of spring, a mechanical issue has to be repaired before the Frontenac can leave.
"The Frontenac is currently experiencing mechanical issues with their bow thruster and has confirmed their departure from Midland to be aborted at this time," states an update provided by Frontenac and CCGS Samuel Risley dated Monday.
"As a result of this, the CCGS Samuel Risley has left Midland and is en route to Sault Ste. Marie for other missions," the statement reads. "The updated departure date and time for the Frontenac remains unknown at this time, as the mechanical issues have to be resolved and tested before departure.”
The 729-foot Frontenac was built in 1968 and converted in 1973. Its dead weight is 26,365 tonnes.
The Coast Guard's Samuel Risley, meanwhile, has been in service since 1985 and is 228 feet long.
