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PHOTOS: U.S. Freighter ‘Roger Blough’ Hard Aground in Lake Superior

PHOTOS: U.S. Freighter ‘Roger Blough’ Hard Aground in Lake Superior

gCaptain
Total Views: 701
May 31, 2016

The motor vessel Roger Blough sits grounded in the vicinity of Gros Cap Reef in Whitefish Bay, Lake Superior, May 27, 2016. U.S. Coast Guard Photo

A U.S.-flagged freighter that spent Memorial Day weekend hard aground in Lake Superior is still stuck Tuesday as salvage crews continue on plans to refloat the vessel.

The 833-foot MV Roger Blough ran aground Friday afternoon on Gros Cap Reef in Whitefish Bay in Lake Superior.

U.S. Coast Guard Photo

The Coast Guard said Tuesday that the threat of a fuel oil spill was minimal and flooding on the vessel remained stable. Boom has been deployed around the stern near the ship’s fuel tanks but strictly as a precautionary measure. No fuel is believed to have leaked since the grounding on Friday.

Over the weekend, response crews were busy taking exterior draft readings of the vessel as the crew of the Roger Blough continued interior soundings of the tanks to ensure flooding remained under control.

U.S. Coat Guard Photo
U.S. Coat Guard Photo

All crew members remain on board the vessel and are reported safe with no injuries.

The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Mobile Bay, homeported in Sturgeon Bay, Wisc., enforces a 500 yard safety zone alongside the motor vessel Roger Blough, May 29, 2016, near Gros Cap Reef in Whitefish Bay in Lake Superior. U.S. Coast Guard Photo
The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Mobile Bay, homeported in Sturgeon Bay, Wisc., enforces a 500 yard safety zone alongside the motor vessel Roger Blough, May 29, 2016, near Gros Cap Reef in Whitefish Bay in Lake Superior. U.S. Coast Guard Photo

Representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board were expected to arrive Tuesday night to assist the Coast Guard in investigating the cause of the grounding.

A 500 yard safety zone has been put in place around the vessel.

Two freighters transit upbound the Soo Locks past the safety zone established by the U.S. Coast Guard around the motor vessel Roger Blough near Gros Reefs Light, May 30, 2016 in Lake Superior. The safety zone was established after the Blough ran aground on the reef May 27. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher M. Yaw)
Two freighters transit upbound the Soo Locks past the safety zone established by the U.S. Coast Guard around the motor vessel Roger Blough near Gros Reefs Light, May 30, 2016 in Lake Superior. U.S. Coast Guard Photo
Coast Guard Cutter Mobile Bay, homeported in Sturgeon Bay, Wisc., enforces a 500 yard safety zone around the motor vessel Roger Blough, May 30, 2016, in Lake Superior. Mobile Bay enforced the safety zone during salvage operations after the Blough ran aground on Gros Cap Reef May 27. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Creighton Chong)
Coast Guard Cutter Mobile Bay, homeported in Sturgeon Bay, Wisc., enforces a 500 yard safety zone around the motor vessel Roger Blough, May 30, 2016, in Lake Superior. U.S. Coast Guard Photo
The motor vessel Edgar B. Speer safely passes the safety zone around the motor vessel Roger Blough and responders near Gros Cap Reefs Light in Lake Superior, May 30, 2016. U.S. Coast Guard Photo
The motor vessel Edgar B. Speer safely passes the safety zone around the motor vessel Roger Blough and responders near Gros Cap Reefs Light in Lake Superior, May 30, 2016. U.S. Coast Guard Photo
Lt. Gordon Gertiser, a marine inspector with U.S. Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie, inspects the engine room for possible damage aboard the motor vessel Roger Blough, May 30, 2016, in Lake Superior. U.S. Coast Guard Photo
Lt. Gordon Gertiser, a marine inspector with U.S. Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie, inspects the engine room for possible damage aboard the motor vessel Roger Blough, May 30, 2016, in Lake Superior. U.S. Coast Guard Photo

Tags:

great lakes
Roger Blough grounding
salvage
USCG

Updated: November 18, 2020 (Originally published May 31, 2016)

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