Bulk Carrier M/V Tim S Dool Finally Refloated After Three Weeks Aground

After spending more than three weeks aground on Crysler Shoal in the St. Lawerence River, the bulk carrier M/V Tim S Dool (IMO: 6800919) has been successfully refloated. 

The Canadian-flagged bulk carrier is owned by the Algoma Central Corporation and ran aground on November 23, 2024. The incident happened while the vessel was transporting wheat grain through U.S. waters near Massena, New York. The episode occurred in an area southwest of the Eisenhower Lock.

Notably, the 57-year-old vessel maintained a stable position outside the navigation channel during the entire ordeal. 

“After being aground since Nov 23, a failed salvage by three tugs, and unloading of grain to 4 barges, Tim S Dool floats free of the shoal this morning and will move to anchorage for inspection,” reported Michael Folsom, founder of the Seaway Ship Watchers Network, on X.

The refloating process began cargo lightering December6^th. The successful operation concluded just before 8 a.m. The 28,400 DWT bulk carrier was then moved to Wilson Hill Anchorage for inspection.

The initial grounding resulted in no injuries or environmental contamination, confirms authorities. However, the incident did trigger a coordinated response involving multiple maritime agencies, such as the U.S. Coast Guard, Canadian Coast Guard, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, and St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation.

Although the investigation into the cause of the grounding is ongoing, officials have confirmed that no other vessels were involved. Seaway traffic remains unaffected and continues to flow smoothly through the area.