Tugs finally free tanker stranded in Cape Breton, N.S., for a week

Around 150 locals looked on as high tides lifted the ship from the seabed, according to a coast guard spokesperson who was at the scene.

Laidlaw said salvage crews drained 300 tonnes of ballast water to float the ship, Boag said, allowing it to be pulled into deeper waters. He said tests haven’t shown any evidence of pollution around the vessel and the nine tonnes of fuel on board are secure. There didn’t appear to be any damage to the hull, officials said.

The ship has been “completely secured” at dock in Sydney, Laidlaw said, however, a containment boom has been placed around the vessel as a precaution.

The coast guard has said the vessel was on its way to its Mexico owner Petroil Marine, when it ran aground Sunday after its engines failed during a storm. Six crew had to be airlifted to safety.

A previous attempt to free the vessel failed last week and crews were dogged by weather-related delays.

“Weather forced us to wait till now to do it and it really was the best time to do it,” said Laidlaw. “A combination of sea and weather conditions may have been the best we’ve had since we’ve been up here.”

Laidlaw said the coast guard is reviewing the incident and there will be a report.

Petroil Marine is responsible for the costs of removing the ship.

Federal Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc issued a statement Sunday praising the successful effort.

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Tugs finally free tanker stranded in Cape Breton, N.S., for a week

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