Lightering Begins to Free Bulker Aground in St. Lawrence

Rescue operations commenced Friday morning to refloat the bulker Federal Yamaska, which ran aground on the St. Lawrence River, north of Montreal. The Canadian Coast Guard has indicated that it will take several hours before a refloating attempt can be made. The vessel, which is carrying a cargo of sugar, has been stuck since Tuesday morning, August 12, despite previous efforts to free it.

Salvage Operations and Environmental Precautions

On Wednesday, five tugboats were deployed in an attempt to pull the 590-foot (180-meter) vessel free, but their efforts were unsuccessful. The Federal Yamaska is currently positioned south of the main shipping channel. In response to the situation, the vessel’s owner, Fednav, has submitted a new salvage plan that includes a lightering operation to offload cargo. The Canadian Coast Guard has reported that approximately 3,200 tonnes of sugar will be removed from the ship, with the capacity to transfer around 400 tonnes per hour.

The Coast Guard is closely monitoring the situation and has deployed anti-pollution measures as a precaution. Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries or signs of pollution from the grounded vessel. Investigations into the cause of the grounding are ongoing, with preliminary reports suggesting that the ship lost power and drifted into a diagonal position across the shipping lane. Despite this incident, the shipping lane remains open, albeit with certain restrictions.

Authorities have noted that the St. Lawrence River is experiencing its lowest water levels in 15 years. While there has been a lack of perception in southern Quebec for nearly a month, officials do not believe this contributed to the grounding. The Coast Guard confirmed that the vessel adhered to regulations concerning the loading of commercial ships in the area.

Bulker Expected to be Stuck for Days After Grounding in St. Lawrence

Historical Context and Future Implications

This incident is not isolated; another bulker grounded in a similar location in late December 2024 and also required a lightering operation before it could be refloated. Such occurrences raise concerns about navigation safety and environmental risks in the region, particularly as water levels fluctuate. The ongoing situation with the Federal Yamaska serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by maritime operations in the St. Lawrence River, especially during periods of low water levels.

As salvage efforts continue, the Canadian Coast Guard remains vigilant, ensuring that safety protocols are followed to mitigate any potential environmental impact. The outcome of this operation will be closely watched by both maritime authorities and local communities, highlighting the importance of effective response strategies in maritime incidents.