Pierside Grounding of M/V Burns Harbour; Superior, WI

Superior, WI, USA | 2024-Mar-27

Initial Notification: On March 27, 2024, the M/V Burns Harbour bottomed while loading cargo alongside the BNSF Pier at Duluth Harbor, near Superior, WI. There is no threat of pollution. Two hours prior, the M/V American Courage bottomed alongside its pier while loading in Marquette, MI, on the other side of Lake Superior. USCG Sector Northern Great Lakes contacted the SSC for assistance in communicating reported abnormally low lake levels. The SSC provided current and historical lake level information. Lake levels are not abnormally low, and this was likely not a primary contributing factor to the two vessels bottoming, despite the coincidental timing. The SSC provided information on the sedimentation, dredging, and survey of channels, harbors, and piers.