Dry Bulk Carrier Stuck in St. Lawrence River
A dry bulk carrier flagged in Cyprus is currently aground in Canada’s St. Lawrence River. The vessel, named Maccoa, is facing a challenging situation as it remains stuck outside the navigation channel. Fortunately, there are no signs of pollution or water ingress. However, the Canadian Coast Guard has indicated that efforts to refloat the ship may be delayed due to the upcoming Christmas holiday. This incident raises concerns about maritime navigation and the challenges vessels face in busy waterways.
Incident Overview
The Maccoa, with a deadweight tonnage of 30,898, departed from Montreal late on December 23. It made only a short journey before becoming stuck near Ile Marie and Vercheres at around 1:00 AM on December 24. The Canadian Coast Guard reported that the vessel is currently positioned sideways outside the navigation channel but is not obstructing river traffic. Local media speculates that the ship may have experienced a loss of power, although no injuries or pollution have been reported.
The Coast Guard is actively coordinating with various authorities, including the pilot authority, Transport Canada, and the vessel’s operators, to devise a plan for refloating the ship. They have warned that this process could take several days to finalize. The Maccoa is 607 feet (185 meters) long and appears to be riding high in the water, likely due to being empty of cargo. It was en route to Waterford, Ireland, and is managed by Navarone, a company based in Greece.
Previous Navigation Challenges
This is not the first time the Maccoa has faced navigation difficulties in the St. Lawrence River. In 2018, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada issued a report detailing a previous incident involving the vessel. At that time, the ship was inbound, loaded with 18,830 tonnes of salt rock, and was bound for Johnstown, Ontario. During its approach near the Côte Sainte-Catherine Lock, a bridge failed to lift, creating a clearance issue.
The pilot aboard the Maccoa attempted to maneuver the ship to slow its speed while remaining in the channel. Unfortunately, the ship’s bow thruster was not operational, causing it to drift toward the right side of the channel. Although the pilot eventually regained control, the vessel was presumed to have made contact with the riverbed. A subsequent survey found no damage, but the Transportation Safety Board investigated the reasons behind the bridge’s slow response and the vessel’s loss of control.
This recent grounding incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by vessels navigating the St. Lawrence River. Earlier this month, another vessel, the Tim S. Dool, was aground for over three weeks before requiring cranes to partially offload its cargo. Only then were tugs able to pull it back into the shipping channel. As the Maccoa awaits assistance, the maritime community watches closely, hoping for a swift resolution.
