The Independent

Efforts are underway today to free the Algoma Equinox.

The cargo ship left the Cargill Dock Tuesday around 3 pm and became stuck in the shallow area by the Sidney Smith dock according to Jared Lean, the Sarnia Harbour operator, in a letter to City of Sarnia staff.

“From my perspective would say this is the Captain’s error for navigating too close to the shallow area. I’m uncertain if the weather/wind at the time were a contributing factor as there was a storm coming in,” Lean added.

Lean says the stern of the vessel is stuck and two tugs have been contracted to push the vessel free. “To free the vessels will require the vessel to shift ballast water to the bow to take weight off the stern. Likely additional tugs will be contracted from either Windsor or Goderich to assist in pushing the vessel free,” Lean says in the email. It’s not clear how long that might take.

Canadian Coast Guard officials are also on the scene to monitor for any damages or environmental concerns.

The Sidney Smith Wharf is closed but Lean says no vessels were scheduled there right now so there is no immediate impact to harbour operations.