The freighter Federal Kivalina, a 656-foot Hong Kong-flagged vessel, sits at anchor and aground in the St. Lawrence Seaway, May 28, 2014. U.S. Coast Guard Photo
A 656-foot geared bulk carrier has been determined to have ran aground in the St. Lawrence Seaway one day after losing steering in the busy waterway near Wellesley Island, New York, the U.S. Coast Guard has confirmed.
The Federal Kivalina lost power and ran aground near the Thousand Island Bridge May 27, which has suspended vessel traffic in the St. Lawrence Seaway for several days. U.S. Coast Guard Photo
The Hong Kong-flagged MV Federal Kivalina became disabled Tuesday after losing steering in the vicinity of Wellesley Island while carrying 23,000 metric tons of canola seeds, setting the ship adrift. The crew of the freighter subsequently dropped three anchors to slow its drift, bringing the vessel to stop about one-third of a mile from the Thousand Island Bridge.
A dive team conducted an underwater hull survey Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning and determined that the vessel was aground but stable. There are no reported injuries to the crew and no reported pollution at this time.
The MV Federal Kavalina as seen on May 27, 2014. U.S. Coast Guard Photo
The vessel remains anchored and aground at the same location as of Thursday afternoon.
A salvage team is on board the freighter and has completed a review of the hull inspection, according to an update from the U.S. Coast Guard, while the USCG is reviewing the salvage plan.
Two tug boats from Montreal are en route to assist with the situation and are due to arrive Thursday afternoon.
U.S. Coast Guard Photo
Navigation in the St. Lawrence Seaway remains suspended until vessels can resume safe transits of the area, the coast guard update said.
All 22 crewmembers included have remained onboard the freighter throughout the ordeal.
US Coast Guard and FBI personnel boarded two commercial vessels bound for the United States in the Gulf of Mexico last month after indications that hackers had broken into their computer networks, the agencies said on Thursday.
The U.S. Coast Guard’s decision to end icebreaker Healy’s planned high-latitude mission has left the service leaning more heavily on its newest icebreaker during an increasingly active Arctic season. Healy has remained...
The U.S. Coast Guard is set to launch its new digital mariner credentialing system, marking a major shift in how mariners apply for Merchant Mariner Credentials and medical certificates as...
September 11, 2026
Total Views: 1325
Get The Industry’s Go-To News
Subscribe to gCaptain Daily and stay informed with the latest global maritime and offshore news
— just like 107,369 professionals
Secure Your Spot
on the gCaptain Crew
Stay informed with the latest maritime and offshore news, delivered daily straight to your inbox
— trusted by our 107,369 members
Your Gateway to the Maritime World!
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.