The general cargo vessel, BBC Georgia, which was damaged after running aground late last Thursday on the St. Lawrence River at Grondines between Montreal and Trois-Rivières, has been refloated and is expected to be towed later today by several tugs of Groupe Océan to the nearby Port of Bécancour, according to sources familiar with the incident. There were no reports of injuries or oil spills.
The vessel, which was en route for Sault Ste. Marie, suffered from water intake that flooded the engine room and at least one of the holds. Three Ocean tugs came on the scene, as well as a barge. The ship had pumps placed on board from the barge via a Canadian Coast Guard helicopter.
According to local sources, the condition of BBC Georgia is not good. The tug Ocean Aqua arrived towing a barge with pumps that was used to pump out water that filled the ship’s hull. The tugs Ocean Taiga and Ocean K. Rusby were also nearby
On Sunday night, BBC Georgia was reportedly dislodged during high tide and tugs were preparing to move the ship to nearby anchorage.
Sources: René Beauchamp, Michael James Folsom , St. Lawrence Seaway Ship Watchers Network. File photo of the vessel by René Beauchamp.
