Freighter stuck in mud in Detroit River

Freighter

A freighter hauling salt ran aground Wednesday in the Detroit River near Belle Isle, across from Detroit. According to the United States Coast Guard, the 639-foot Mark W. Barker freighter lost propulsion and ran aground just feet away from the shore of Belle Isle, around 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 17.

May 24, 2023

Photo Credit: Courtesy of CTV’s Bob Bellacicco

A freighter hauling salt ran aground Wednesday in the Detroit River near Belle Isle, across from Detroit. According to the United States Coast Guard, the 639-foot Mark W. Barker freighter lost propulsion and ran aground just feet away from the shore of Belle Isle, around 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 17. The freighter was loaded with 20,000 tonnes of salt and was headed for Milwaukee.

Freighter

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Lincat Photography

This was a “soft aground landing”, meaning, the freighter was stuck in the mud. The freighter was successfully refloated around 12:10 p.m. Wednesday, with the help of a tow. There was no pollution, no environmental impact, or hull damage.

Freighter

 

 

(Below) Photo Credit: Brian Labute

Roger Renaud
Roger Renaud is a regular contributor to Sailing in Canada based in southwestern Ontario.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related Articles

Video Gallery

Boston Whaler 350 Realm

By Andy Adams

You might be dreaming of an adventure boat, or a luxury cruiser, or maybe a serious fishing platform. You might dream of an overnight exploration boat, or a boat that entertains a big group of friends or family. Whatever your ambitions, the features and appointments, and the stellar performance of the Boston Whaler 350 Realm, equipped with triple Mercury Verado V10-cylinder 425 horsepower engines, feels like it could do just about anything. It’s the Great Entertainer.

Read More

Destinations

The Whitsunday Islands

By Mathew Channer

On my first day as a commercially registered yacht captain, I sailed a Fontaine Pajot 38 catamaran from mainland Australia across the Whitsunday Passage to the western shores of the world-famous Whitsunday islands.

We cruised northeast on a 15-knot beam reach… perfect catamaran sailing conditions, watching the hazy shapes of the islands colourize and morph into crescent beaches, jungled ridgelines and rocky outcrops. 

Read More

Lifestyle