Refloating Operations For Grounded Bulk Carrier Begins In St. Lawrence Seaway

Attempts to refloat a bulk carrier that ran aground in the St.Lawrence River, close to Morrisburg, Ont. began yesterday.

Lightering operations commenced on the Canadian-flagged bulk carrier, M/V Tim S.Dool at 4.00 a.m. on Thursday morning, per the St. Lawrence Seaway Corporation.

Lightering or lighterage is the transfer of cargo between ships of different sizes.

The ship, loaded with wheat ran aground on November 23, 2024, in U.S. waters close to Massena, New York, in a region close to Eisenhower Lock.

Though authorities are worried about delays in shipping due to the incident, no injuries or environmental pollution from the vessel has been reported.

Algoma Central Corporation owns the bulk carrier which now stands outside the navigation channel as authorities mentioned that cargo operations will need speed restrictions in the nearby area for safety reasons.

The operation will span many days and a section of the seaway might be closed to attempt refloating once a considerable amount of wheat has been removed from the vessel.

To decrease shipping disruptions, several agencies like the U.S. Coast Guard, Canadian Coast Guard, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, and St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation are working together.

Though the cause of the incident is being investigated, authorities have confirmed that no other ships were involved in the grounding.

References: Ottava News