A slow-speed rescue operation concluded Wednesday afternoon with the refloating of the 225-metre-long lake freighter Algoma Equinox, which had run aground on the St. Clair River near Sarnia Tuesday afternoon. The vessel became stuck in a shallow area adjacent to the Sidney Smith Dock shortly after departing the Cargill grain terminal around 3 p.m. Tuesday. While a letter from Sarnia Harbour Operator Jared Lean suggested high winds from a sudden storm may have been a contributing factor, an internal perspective indicated the grounding might have stemmed from the captain navigating too close to the known shallow area. Cargill has reportedly been provided with bathymetry imaging of the area to identify the hazard. The rescue plan focused on lifting the stern of the grounded freighter. This involved shifting ballast water to the bow of the ship. Tugboats Pride and Welland were contracted for the operation, applying constant pressure to the hull. Additional tugs from other ports were on standby if required. The incident caused no disruption to other ship traffic on the busy waterway. The Sidney Smith Wharf was temporarily unavailable, but no scheduled vessels were impacted. The Coast Guard established a mobile incident command post at the Government Dock to monitor the situation for potential environmental concerns or vessel damage. The Algoma Equinox was successfully freed shortly after 2 p.m. on Wednesday and was able to continue its passage down the St. Clair River.
