CSL Assiniboine; St. Lawrence River, Canada/NY

St. Lawrence River, Canada/NY | 2009-Nov-20

Initial Notification: At approximately 0900 PST on 20 NOV 2009, USCG MSD Massena, NY contacted ERD requesting trajectory support for a vessel grounded in the St. Lawrence River. The USCG reported that at approximately 0815 local time on 16 NOV 2009 the 739ft self-unloading bulk carrier CSL Assiniboine grounded in the St. Lawrence River between Lake Ontario and Montreal. The vessel is aground in Canadian waters (approx 300 yds from US waters). The ship currently has 307 Metric Tons of Heavy Oil and 74 Metric Tons of Diesel on board. The ship is also carrying a cargo of 400,000 tons of soybeans. There is minor damage reported to the #2 hold that is under control. There has been no reported release of any product. The USCG requested trajectory support for a worst-case scenario. Currently, the USCG reports that the ship is planning on lightering off enough soybeans to refloat the vessel and then transit to dry-dock for further vessel inspection.