A large ship carrying chemicals ran aground on the St. Lawrence River overnight from Thursday to Friday, blocking maritime traffic.
Photo Agence QMI, Thierry Laforce
Le Chem Hydrameasuring 144 m, has been stuck since 12:35 a.m. in a shallow area near the Sainte-Catherine lock “essentially due to a problem with the boat’s engine” which caused it to deviate from its trajectory, said explained Nicholas Poirier-Quesnel, spokesperson for the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Photo Agence QMI, Thierry Laforce
“All crew members are safe. There is no water entering the boat,” he said.
The situation disrupts maritime traffic, but “few boats” are affected, according to Mr. Poirier-Quesnel.
Photo Agence QMI, Thierry Laforce
Chemical products
Built in 2009, the Chem Hydra transports chemicals and petroleum products and was traveling to the port of Hamilton in Ontario, according to sites that track maritime traffic.
Photo Agence QMI, Thierry Laforce
However, Mr. Poirier-Quesnel wanted to be reassuring. “It is a double-hulled bulk carrier, which is therefore extremely safe”, he argued, stressing that “no pollution has been reported”.
It is not known, however, if the boat has suffered any damage at this stage.
Photo Agence QMI, Thierry Laforce
By late Friday evening, the boat had been towed and traffic was expected to resume shortly, the St. Lawrence Seaway said.