Watch: Freighter Carrying 18000 Tons Of Stone Runs Aground In Detroit River

A 629-foot Canadian-flagged freighter carrying 18,000 tonnes of stone ran aground in the Detroit River late on Wednesday but was successfully refloated on Thursday afternoon, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The vessel, Robert S. Pierson, became stuck near William G. Milliken State Park at around 10:35 p.m. on 26 November.

Coast Guard officials said they were notified of the grounding at 1:17 a.m. on Thursday. The ship had been travelling from Windsor, Ontario, to Lorain, Ohio, when the incident occurred. Authorities confirmed there were no injuries, no pollution, and no impact on other vessel movements.

Tugboats Minnesota and Ontario arrived on scene shortly after the grounding. The Coast Guard reported that a stakeholder meeting was held on Thursday morning, during which a refloat plan was approved.

The operation continued into the day, and by around noon, the Pierson had been refloated and resumed transit. It was later moved to a dock for inspection.

Video Credits: WXYZ-TV Channel 7/Facebook

Per reports, strong winds across the Great Lakes overnight contributed to the situation.

Regional media said the ship had attempted to anchor on Wednesday night to wait out the weather but was swept downstream by the Detroit River, causing it to ground diagonally across the channel. The Coast Guard added that low water levels were also a contributing factor.

The Robert S. Pierson, built in 1974, is part of the river-class fleet of self-discharging bulk carriers operating in the region. The vessel, owned by Rand Logistics, is approximately 630 feet (190 metres) long and was originally designed to navigate the narrow curves of the Cuyahoga River.

This incident is the second grounding in the same part of the Detroit River this month. On 7 November, the Canadian freighter Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin also ran aground after attempting to anchor to allow a sick crew member to be taken ashore.

Media reports indicated that low water levels played a role in that grounding as well, and the ship was refloated a day later with the help of four tugboats.

References: fox2detroit, clickondetroit

Source: Maritime Shipping News