Cargo Ship Runs Aground in Saint Marys River
The 629-foot cargo vessel Calumet sits hard aground in the St. Mary's River southeast of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, while a Coast Guard response boat - medium encircles the vessel, August 10, 2017. The vessel was heading to its next port of call in Brevort, Michigan when it ran aground. (US Coast Guard photo)
The merchant vessel Calumet sits hard aground in the St. Marys River, outside the channel, northwest of Sugar Island, Michigan, August 10, 2017. The starboard bow of the 629-foot cargo vessel is seen sticking into the channel. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
The merchant vessel Calumet sits hard aground in shallow water outside of the channel on St. Marys River, southeast of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, August 10, 2017. A U.S. Coast Guard 45-foot response boat - medium encircles the aground vessel assessing damage. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
The St. Marys River is closed to commercial vessels from the Soo Locks to 6 Mile Point, after a 629-foot U.S. cargo ship ran aground on the north side of Sugar Island, Wednesday, at about 11:40 p.m.
The merchant vessel, Calumet, departed Essar Steel in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. and was transiting downbound on the St. Marys River to its next port of call in Brevort, Mich., when it ran aground. The vessel was not carrying any cargo.
There was no pollution, and no injuries have been reported.
The U.S. Coast Guard is monitoring the vessel, and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers has conducted an assessment of the river bottom around the vessel.
An initial assessment of the vessel's stern performed by contracted divers has determined that it is structurally sound. Divers were also expected to survey the rest of the vessel.
Grand River Navigation, the owners of the ship, has hired an Oil Spill Removal Organization to place boom near the front of the vessel as a precaution. Grand River Navigation is also finalizing a salvage plan and will present it to the U.S. Coast Guard for review and approval.
The Coast Guard conducted two aerial flights Thursday, and said the Coast Guard pollution aerial observer aboard both flights saw no pollution.
An investigating officer and safety officer from the Coast Guard are on board the Calumet. In addition, a Coast Guard response boat remains on scene to monitor the safety of the vessel and any possible environmental impact. The Coast Guard Cutter Biscayne Bay is scheduled to arrive on scene Friday afternoon to provide support.
The cause of the grounding is under investigation.
