The 226 meter long bulk carrier CWB Marquis ran aground on the St. Lawrence River near Beauharnois, Montérégie. The bulk carrier departed from Hamilton loaded with iron ore when it grounded near the locks after striking large block of ice. The CWB Marquis remained aground until later the same day when it was pulled free. The bulker proceeded to Melocheville for further inspection. The CWB Marquis was the first vessel to travel on the St. Lawrence Seaway of the 2015 season.
The 40 meter long tugboat Chaulk Determination sank on the St. Lawrence River at Port of Trois-Rivières, Quebec. The tug had been docked for several months before the winter lay up when a pipe burst in the engine room. The vessel quickly filled and sank at the dock. Booms were placed around the submerged vessel as diesel fuel was released into the water. Reports state the Chaulk Determination had some 22 tons of fuel on board at the time of the sinking. Authorities had alerted the tug owners multiple times that the vessel’s condition required attention before the incident. No reports of injuries.
The 146 meter long, 15332 dwt bulk carrier Sundaisy E ran aground on the St. Lawrence River off Batiscan, Quebec. The Sundaisy E was en route from Turkey to Hamilton, Ontario with a cargo of cement when it suffered a generator failure. The loss of the generator cut the engine and the bulk carrier went adrift until it grounded off Batiscan. The vessel remained aground for several hours until the crew was able to restart the engine. Under its own power, the Sundaisy E refloated itself. Two tugs escorted the Sundaisy E to Trois-Rivières where the bulk carrier could be inspected and repaired. Canadian authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
