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

MONTREAL — A 180-meter bulk carrier, the Federal Yamaska, has run aground in the St. Lawrence River near Montreal. The incident occurred around 5:45 a.m. after the vessel experienced a complete loss of engine power. Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries, and initial assessments indicate that there is no pollution in the water.

Response and Navigation Updates

According to Francis Lapointe, a spokesperson for the Canadian Coast Guard, the Federal Yamaska is currently partially blocking the shipping channel. However, other vessels are still able to navigate around the grounded ship. The vessel, which is carrying a cargo of sugar, has prompted authorities to collaborate with the ship’s owner to devise a refloating plan. This operation is expected to take several hours to several days, depending on the circumstances.

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Lapointe also noted that low water levels in the river do not appear to have contributed to the grounding incident. The Coast Guard is actively monitoring the situation and coordinating efforts to ensure safe navigation in the area. As the situation develops, updates will be provided to keep the public informed about the progress of the refloating efforts and any potential impacts on river traffic.