Freighter stuck in mud in Detroit River

Freighter

A freighter hauling salt ran aground Wednesday in the Detroit River near Belle Isle, across from Detroit. According to the United States Coast Guard, the 639-foot Mark W. Barker freighter lost propulsion and ran aground just feet away from the shore of Belle Isle, around 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 17.

May 24, 2023

Photo Credit: Courtesy of CTV’s Bob Bellacicco

A freighter hauling salt ran aground Wednesday in the Detroit River near Belle Isle, across from Detroit. According to the United States Coast Guard, the 639-foot Mark W. Barker freighter lost propulsion and ran aground just feet away from the shore of Belle Isle, around 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 17. The freighter was loaded with 20,000 tonnes of salt and was headed for Milwaukee.

Freighter

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Lincat Photography

This was a “soft aground landing”, meaning, the freighter was stuck in the mud. The freighter was successfully refloated around 12:10 p.m. Wednesday, with the help of a tow. There was no pollution, no environmental impact, or hull damage.

Freighter

 

 

(Below) Photo Credit: Brian Labute

Roger Renaud
Roger Renaud is a regular contributor to Sailing in Canada based in southwestern Ontario.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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