The MV Roger Blough has been relieved of its cargo and was cleared over the weekend to head for repairs in Sturgeon Bay, WI. The Blough ran aground on May 27th on the Gros Cap Reef in Lake Superior’s Whitefish Bay. Since being freed of its cargo, it was anchored in Waiska Bay since June 4th awaiting clearance for transit.
The Blough was carrying a load of iron ore from Duluth until it was grounded about 10 miles west of Sault Ste. Marie, MI. The iron ore was offloaded onto the MV Philip R. Clarke and the MV. Arthur M. Anderson. The Blough offloaded its cargo so that it could float again, a strategy which proved successful on June 11. The two ships will now be making the iron ore delivery for the Blough.
According to The Duluth News Tribune, the Coast Guard announced Saturday morning that the Blough was moving on its own power and had anchored farther east in Waiska Bay. GCaptain.com provided an update from the Coast Guard stating that the Blough was on its way from Waiska Bay down the St. Marys River before 11:30am. It made it through the Soo Locks by early Saturday afternoon.
The News Tribune reported that the Coast Guard would conduct a detailed damage assessment of the Blough during favorable weather conditions. The assessment will help determine how much repair the Blough needs to be able to get to its final destination. The News Tribune also reported that a National Transportation Safety Board rep has been on scene to assist the Coast Guard with investigation into what caused the ship’s grounding.
For the full Duluth News Tribune story, click here.
For the full GCaptain.com story, click here.