Update: BBC Maple Lea Pulled Free

Grounded German-flagged general cargo ship BBC Maple Lea has been freed with the help of tugs dispatched to the grounding scene on Lake Saint-Louis, Quebec.

The 2007-built ship, managed by German Auerbach Bereederung Hamburg, got grounded in the morning of December 17th, shortly after departing Montreal. The Canadian Coast Guard’s tugs managed to pull the ship free on Friday under the watchful eye of a helicopter.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) also sent a team of investigators to the grounding site.

The ship was carrying scrap metal when it got grounded.

According to the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake, the ship’s front bow thruster hydraulic system was damaged after running aground and was leaking hydraulic oil in droplet quantities. However, Environment Canada has assessed the situation had little to no risk.

Based on the ship’s latest AIS data, BBC Maple Lea is underway in the St Lawrence Seaway using its own engine.

World Maritime News Staff