SAULT STE MARIE, Mich. — The U.S. Coast Guard continues to monitor and respond as the motor vessel Roger Blough is safely anchored in Waiska Bay, Saturday afternoon, after the vessel ran aground May 27 on Gros Cap Reef in Whitefish Bay in Lake Superior.
The vessel made way under its own power to Waiska Bay where it will be further evaluated for repairs and it’s remaining cargo transferred to other vessels.
Lightering operations ended early Saturday morning and the vessel was refloated at 10:45 a.m.
The Philip R. Clarke arrived on scene with the Blough Thursday afternoon, and lightering operations started Friday at 5:45 a.m.
Plans continue to progress to lighter the Blough’s iron ore and conduct detailed damage assessments through the combined efforts of Canadian partners, company representatives and the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Waiska Bay anchorage area is closed to all vessels not part of the operation.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provided assistance for lightering operations and will ensure the Birch Point Range channel is safe for navigation.
An overflight is scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
Information updates will continue to be released as they become available; previous releases for this response are available: release 1, update, update 2, update 3, update 4, update 5, update 6, update 7, update 8, update 9 and update 10.
Media with questions should contact Petty Officer 2nd Class Lauren Laughlin at Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie at 216-310-2608.
For questions regarding the Canadian Coast Guard response, media should contact Carol Launderville at Fisheries and Oceans Canada at 519-383-1804.