Detroit River Barge Runs Aground

The U.S. Coast Guard and local salvage companies safely removed a barge that ran aground Sunday, at 6:30 p.m., on the Detroit River.

The 115-meter barge, which contains approximately 3.7 million gallons of gasoline, was freed Monday at approximately 2 p.m.

The 41-meter tug William J. Moore and the barge were leaving Sarnia, Ontario, bound for Montreal when the barge ran aground approximately 100 yards northwest of the Detroit River Light.

U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Detroit launched an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter to assess damages and look for any pollution.  Coast Guard Sector Detroit dispatched three prevention dept. inspectors to the William J. Moore to check for damage.  No pollution or gasoline sheens have been reported.

The tugs Superior, Wyoming and Nebraska assisted in freeing the barge.

The tug and barge are en route to Port Colborne, Ontario, for an inspection by Transport Canada.  Sector Detroit and Transport Canada will work together to investigate the incident.

(Source: Ninth District External Affairs, U.S. Coast Guard)