Several Injured After Cruise Ship Hits Lock in Saint Lawrence Seaway

Saint Laurent. Image: Great Lakes Cruise Company

 

A 286-foot cruise ship hit a wall in the Eisenhower Lock in the Saint Lawrence Seaway Thursday night, injuring several passengers.

The U.S. Coast Guard reported late Thursday that the vessel remained in the lock in Massena, New York, where the water was drained as response crews removed injured passengers.

There were 274 people, including passengers and crew, aboard at the time of the allision. Local news first reported 17 injured, but that number has been updated to 30, including 27 passengers and 3 crew.

A statement from the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC), part of the Department of Transportation, said that the cruise ship Saint Laurent struck an approach wall bumper as it was entering the lock at approximately 9:15 pm on Thursday.

Raw video below shows crews removing the injured:

The allision was first reported to a search-and-rescue controller at Coast Guard Sector Buffalo 9:45 p.m., the Coast Guard said.

The ship will remain in the lock with both doors closed until it can be moved to different location, the SLSDC said.

The Saint Laurent is owned by International Shipping Partners and operated by Great Lakes Cruise Company.

The cruise was sailing from Montreal to Toronto when the accident occurred.

The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, the U.S. Coast Guard, the New York State Police and other local emergency responders are working together to respond to the incident.

Navigation has been suspended until further notice, the SLSDC said.

The cause of the allision is under investigation.