Canadian freighter runs aground in Detroit River, second this month

Detroit — For the second time this month, a freighter has run aground in the Detroit River.

The vessel, a 629 ft. long Canadian cargo ship called the Robert S. Pierson, is stuck about 5 and a half miles upriver from the still-under-construction Gordie Howe Bridge near downtown alongside the William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor. The freighter ran aground near where the other Canadian freighter got stuck earlier this month.

The U.S. Coast Guard Detroit sector received the initial report at 1:17 a.m. Thursday morning, Petty Officer Second Class Omar Faba said. Reportedly, it became grounded at 10:35 Wednesday night, he said. The cargo ship is carrying 18,000 tons of stone and was headed to Lorain, Ohio, from Windsor, Ontario.

There have been no reported injuries, pollution or impact to vessel traffic, he said.

The U.S. Coast Guard Salvage Engineering Response Team is working with stakeholders, and a refloat plan was approved this morning. Attempts to refloat the vessel are underway, but Faba did not know when it’s expected to be back underway.

At around 10:30 a.m., the ship was stuck diagonally in the river. Two tug boats, one from Ontario and one from Minnesota, were alongside the freighter.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

satwood@detroitnews.com