Freighter no longer grounded at Gros Cap, says U.S. Coast Guard

The Upper St. Marys River is closed for traffic from the locks west until the vessel is safely anchored

20160603 Boatnerd Roger Blough Salvage Boat Tour KA 05

The Roger Blough (centre) seen flanked by the Philip R. Clarke and the tug W.I. Scott Purvis yesterday in Whitefish Bay. The U.S. Coast Guard says the 858-foot freighter is no longer grounded and is proceeding under its own power to port for repairs. Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday

NEWS RELEASE

U.S. COAST GUARD

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The U.S. Coast Guard continues to monitor and respond as the motor vessel Roger Blough is refloated, Saturday, after the vessel ran aground May 27 on Gros Cap Reef in Whitefish Bay in Lake Superior.

The vessel is making way under its own power to Waiska Bay where it will be further evaluated for repairs and it’s remaining cargo transferred to other vessels.

Lightering operations ended early Saturday morning and the vessel was refloated at 10:45 a.m.

The Philip R. Clarke arrived on scene with the Blough Thursday afternoon, and lightering operations started Friday at 5:45 a.m.

Plans continue to progress to safely anchor the Blough through the combined efforts of Canadian partners, company representatives and the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Upper St. Marys River is closed for traffic from the locks west until the vessel is safely anchored.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provided assistance for lightering operations and will ensure the Birch Point Range channel is safe for navigation.

An overflight is scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

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