A freighter ran aground in the Detroit River off Belle Isle Wednesday morning.
The U.S. Coast Guard reported the 639-foot lake freighter Mark W. Barker was carrying a cargo of salt when it ran soft aground at 8 a.m. The incident was due to an electronics malfunction.
Around 12:30 p.m. the Coast Guard reported that a commercial salvage freed the freighter and assisted the ship to anchorage at Belle Isle. The freighter stayed stable throughout the incident and there were no signs of pollution discharge or hull damage reported.
Once anchored, Coast Guard investigators boarded the vessel to assess damages.
“We worked closely with all relevant parties to ensure the safety of our waterways and the prompt resolution of this incident," said Lt. j.g. Adeeb Ahmad, Sector Detroit’s public affairs officer. “The successful refloating of the Mark W. Barker highlights our commitment to maintaining the safety and continuity of our maritime transportation system.”
The river remained open to all traffic during the marine incident.
#BREAKING: The 639-foot lake freighter Mark W. Barker ran soft aground at 8 am today in the Detroit River off Belle Isle. No injuries, pollution, or damage reported. Cargo of salt. River remains open to all traffic. Planning underway to refloat & determine cause. Updates to come. pic.twitter.com/bBVK9so2iI
— USCG Great Lakes (@USCGGreatLakes) May 17, 2023
