Great Lakes Towing refloats grounded Canadian freighter on St. Marys River
The 603-foot Canadian bulk carrier, M/V MISSISSAGI, was successfully refloated by The Great Lakes Towing Company on Saturday, April 25 by 1 p.m. with no injuries or pollution, after the vessel went aground earlier that morning on the St. Marys River at Big Trout Island in U.S. Waters, the towing company said in a news release.
The vessel was transiting downbound the St. Marys River from Bruce Mines, Ontario early Wednesday carrying more than 17,000 tons of stone when it ran aground in the Potagannissing Bay. Once on scene, The Towing Company’s Tug MISSOURI responded and freed the vessel within 5 hours.
Captain Mike Patterson, Tug Captain for The Great Lakes Towing Company in Sault Ste. Marie was the first to respond. “One of the things I’ve always liked best about this job is that a captain can’t do it alone. We work as a team.” Captain Patterson worked with his crew to quickly and safely free M/V MISSISSAGI. Captain Paterson’s crew included Mate Evan Keating, Engineer Fred Carr and Deckhand Dan Gallagher.
The Great Lakes Towing Company’s Full Service Lakes-Wide Towing Contract offers lakes-wide comprehensive towing service with readily available “round-the-clock” tugs and crews. In addition to harbor services, The Company provides emergency assistance to vessels that are wrecked, disabled, or in distress on the Great Lakes. No claim for salvage under the maritime laws is made by the Towing Company for emergency services provided under the Company’s Contract.