Coast Guard Tries To Free Wheat Carrying Freighter Grounded In Lake St. Clair

LAKE ST. CLAIR (WWJ) -- The U.S. Coast Guard has been working to get a 656 foot freighter free from a shoal in Lake St. Clair near the Detroit River since Sunday morning.

The Federal Rideau lost control of its steering just long enough to run aground. Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Jillian Lamb said that some extra help has been called in to assist in the effort.

"They've had tugboats on the scene, but they just don't have the horsepower necessary," Lamb said. "So, we have some additional tugboats ordered in -- one is coming from as far as Sandusky."

Two more tugs are scheduled to arrive on scene and attempt another refloating.

The Hong Kong-flagged ship was carrying 22,672 tons of wheat to Montreal when it got stuck in the shipping channel of the lake early Sunday morning.

"The vessel's agent has been incredibly receptive and very quick to respond to this situation," Lamb said. "We've had really good communication with them so right now they're working to re-float it, or get it off ground."

The shipping channel is still open to boat traffic and the freighter suffered only cosmetic damages.

There are no injuries reported.