The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:
(BUFFALO, N.Y.) — The motor vessel Pacific Huron was successfully refloated Saturday evening from its grounded position in the St. Lawrence Seaway near Wellesley Island, N.Y.
Under the direction of the Donjon-Smit salvage master, two Canadian tugs, Evans Mckeil and Ocean A. Simard, successfully removed Pacific Huron from its aground position Saturday at approximately 8 p.m.
There were no reports of any injuries or pollution observed.
A pilot was put aboard the motor vessel to safely navigate the vessel to its anchorage location at Mason Point.
Divers will conduct their underwater hull survey Sunday morning and the classification society will inspect Pacific Huron’s propulsion system as well.
The forward portion of the 623-foot motor vessel ran aground late Wednesday evening.
Coast Guard leaders work constantly with our international, federal, state, local and tribal partners to prepare for contingencies like this and to ensure a cohesive and unified approach to resolve the incident and restore the vital components of the maritime transportation system.
PREVIOUS REPORT
(BUFFALO, N.Y.) — The U.S. Coast Guard and the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. (SLSDC) responded to the motor vessel Pacific Huron, loaded with soybean, that ran aground late Wednesday in the St. Lawrence Seaway near Wellesley Island, N.Y.
The forward portion of the 623-foot motor vessel is aground and its stern anchor is deployed.
The vessel is 1,000 feet outside of the channel. There are no reported injuries to the crew, and no reported leaks, pollution or flooding on the vessel.
The seaway is continuing to manage traffic around the vessel through the navigation channel.
Inspectors from the SLSDC, the Canadian St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. and a marine inspector from the Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Massena (New York) will board Pacific Huron as soon as possible to conduct their initial investigation and additional assessments will be made.
