The merchant vessel Calumet sits hard aground in shallow water outside of the channel on St. Marys River, southeast of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, August 10, 2017. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
SAULT STE. MARIE, MICHIGAN — A 629-foot U.S. cargo ship ran aground on the north side of Sugar Island in the St. Marys River, Wednesday at 11:40 p.m.
The merchant vessel Calumet departed ESSAR Steel in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and was transiting downbound in the St. Marys River to its next port of call in Brevort, Michigan, when it ran aground.
The U.S. Coast Guard is on scene and no injuries have been reported. The vessel is currently aground and stable.
There are currently no signs of pollution.
The St. Marys River is closed to commercial vessels from the Soo Locks to 6 Mile Point. The vessel’s company, Grand River Navigation Inc., is taking precautionary measures to help ensure the safety of the environment and developing a salvage plan.
The cause of the grounding is under investigation.
