The US Coast Guard says crews are working to free a grounded 1,000 foot coal freighter blocking traffic on the outbound channel of the St Marys River that links lakes Superior and Huron.

The Coast Guard says the grounding happened about 3 AM on Wednesday. It says no cargo or fuel leaked and no one was hurt but says the vessel was damaged.

It says the Paul R Tregurtha is owned by Interlake Shipping Co of Richfield, Ohio, and carried 62,000 tons of coal. The ship is grounded on the west side of Neebish Island, spanning the shipping channel. Inbound traffic continues.

Lt Kenneth Scott says crews are hopeful they can refloat the freighter by late Wednesday or early Thursday. He says three vessels are backed up, and a fourth is approaching.

Source - lacrossetribune.com

(www.coalguru.com)