Operation begins to free ship run aground in St. Lawrence River near Montreal

Authorities are currently working to unload a cargo vessel that has run aground in the St. Lawrence River near Montreal. The Federal Yamaska, a 180-meter bulk carrier, lost its engines early Tuesday morning, leading to the incident. Efforts to refloat the vessel have so far been unsuccessful, prompting officials to initiate an unloading operation that is expected to take several hours.

Unloading Operation Underway

The Federal Yamaska ran aground near Verchères, Quebec, at approximately 5:45 a.m. on Tuesday. The vessel, which was transporting sugar, is partially obstructing the navigation channel; however, other ships are still able to maneuver around it. The Canadian Coast Guard is on-site, collaborating with the Eastern Canada Response Corp., a specialized marine oil spill response team, to manage the situation effectively.

Bulk carrier Federal Yamaska runs aground in St. Lawrence River near Montreal

Initial attempts to refloat the vessel have not succeeded, necessitating the unloading operation before any further efforts can be made. The Coast Guard has indicated that this step is crucial for safely freeing the ship from its grounded position. The unloading process is expected to take several hours, and officials are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of the surrounding waterways and the environment.

As the operation continues, the Coast Guard remains vigilant, ready to respond to any potential complications that may arise during the unloading and refloating attempts. The situation is being closely watched by local authorities and maritime agencies to ensure a swift resolution to the incident.