Greatest laker "Paul R. Tregurtha" ran aground in Duluth
The ran aground in Duluth Harbor on Sep 20, 2014, around 3:20 p.m. when the bulker was departing Duluth with a cargo of 68000 tons of coal and made a navigational error at the Aerial Lift Bridge. It was making the turn to go under the lift bridge, but it didn’t turn.
The ship came to rest about 50 feet from shore. The vessl came to rest about 100 feet behind the stage at Bayfront Festival Park.
The ship’s position did not impede other harbor traffic, amnd also the lift bridge operations were not affected.
Onlookers said the bow thrusters were churning, but it appeared to be stuck.
The tug "Kentucky" jointly with another tug was able to refloat the "Paul R. Tregurtha" around 7 p.m. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
The vessel has now been moved to the Duluth Seaway Port Terminal for inspection by the U.S. Coast Guard.
While Interlake Steamship Company spokespeople did not yet provide an official statement on what caused it to run aground, eyewitnesses have told the vessel was trying to avoid a smaller craft in the shipping channel.
The Coast Guard boarded the vessel to determine the cause of the grounding and also inspect it for damage and monitor for possible pollution.
Cause of accident
While Interlake Steamship Company spokespeople have yet to provide an official statement on what caused it to run aground, eyewitnesses have told that the vessel was trying to avoid a smaller craft in the shipping channel.
Duluth Superior Port Authority spokesperson Adele Yorde says the Tregurtha is fully loaded with 68,000 tons of coal. There are currently no reports of injury, or signs of pollution.
Measuring in at 1,013 feet, the Tregurtha is known as the "Queen of the Lakes."
The ran aground in Duluth Harbor on Sep 20, 2014, around 3:20 p.m. when the bulker was departing Duluth with a cargo of 68000 tons of coal and made a navigational error at the Aerial Lift Bridge. It was making the turn to go under the lift bridge, but it didn’t turn.
The ship came to rest about 50 feet from shore. The vessl came to rest about 100 feet behind the stage at Bayfront Festival Park.
The ship’s position did not impede other harbor traffic, amnd also the lift bridge operations were not affected.
Onlookers said the bow thrusters were churning, but it appeared to be stuck.
The tug "Kentucky" jointly with another tug was able to refloat the "Paul R. Tregurtha" around 7 p.m. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
The vessel has now been moved to the Duluth Seaway Port Terminal for inspection by the U.S. Coast Guard.
While Interlake Steamship Company spokespeople did not yet provide an official statement on what caused it to run aground, eyewitnesses have told the vessel was trying to avoid a smaller craft in the shipping channel.
The Coast Guard boarded the vessel to determine the cause of the grounding and also inspect it for damage and monitor for possible pollution.
Cause of accident
While Interlake Steamship Company spokespeople have yet to provide an official statement on what caused it to run aground, eyewitnesses have told that the vessel was trying to avoid a smaller craft in the shipping channel.
Duluth Superior Port Authority spokesperson Adele Yorde says the Tregurtha is fully loaded with 68,000 tons of coal. There are currently no reports of injury, or signs of pollution.
Measuring in at 1,013 feet, the Tregurtha is known as the "Queen of the Lakes."