Operation to free ship run aground in St. Lawrence River near Montreal complete

The Federal Yamaska is photographed on the St. Lawrence River, north of Verchères, Que., Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press)

VERCHÈRES — The Canadian Coast Guard says an operation to free a ship that ran aground in the St. Lawrence River this week has been successful.

The agency says the Federal Yamaska was successfully refloated on Saturday morning, one day after 3,200 tonnes of sugar was unloaded from the stuck vessel.

The coast guard says the 180-metre-long bulk carrier will be towed to Montreal where it will be unloaded fully and inspected.

The ship became stuck near Verchères, Que., at around 5:45 a.m. Tuesday, following a complete loss of engines.

No one was injured and no pollution was observed.

Transport Canada will take over the case once the ship is docked.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 16, 2025.