Great Lakes Towing frees grounded bulker

Cargo from the grounded 603-foot bulk carrier Mississagi (right) is offloaded onto an ATB barge as lightering operations commenced. Vessel was then successfully refloated by the Great Lakes Towing Company

APRIL 27, 2015 —The 603-ft Canadian self-discharging bulk carrier M/V Mississagi, was successfully refloated by the Great Lakes Towing Company on Saturday, April 25 by 1.00 p.m. with no injuries or pollution.

The vessel, owned by Rand Logistics’ Lower Lakes Towing, went aground Wednesday morning, April 22 on the St. Marys River at Big Trout Island in U.S. Waters (see earlier story).

The vessel was transiting downbound the St. Marys River from Bruce Mines, Ontario early Wednesday carrying more than 17,000 tons of stone when grounded. According to U.S. Coast Guard District  9, lightering operations began Saturday morning.

Great Lakes Towing Company’s tug Missouri responded and Captain Mike Paterson and his crew worked to quickly and safely free the vessel. Captain Paterson’s crew included Mate Evan Keating, Engineer Fred Carr and Deckhand Dan Gallagher.