A 623-foot freighter ran aground in Detroit, Michigan, Monday morning. The United States Coast Guard has confirmed that bulk carrier Barbro G is currently stuck in the Detroit River between Belle Isle and the city’s downtown. Efforts are currently underway to free the enormous vessel. This is the second time a freighter has run aground near Belle Isle this year.
The Barbro G was delivering 21,000 pounds of wheat from Sault Ste. Marie, Canada to Italy. The ship wasn’t damaged in the incident, CBS News Detroit reported. Currently, two tugboats are at the scene to pull the Barbro G and hopefully refloat the vessel. The Coast Guard has stated that there hasn’t been any impact on the environment or commercial traffic along the Detroit River.
The freighter has had three names over the past three years, sailing as the Pacific Huron from its maiden voyage in 2010 up until 2020, according to Marine Traffic. The ship’s name was changed to the Ortolon Beta Strait before being renamed yet again to the Brabro G last year. Windsor Harbor Master Peter Berry told the CBC that a few ships run aground in the Detroit River every year because of high winds and low water levels. However, it feels like the constant name changes are just bad luck.
A brand new Great Lakes freighter was involved in a similar incident near Belle Isle earlier this year. The Mark W. Barker got struck in the mud while carrying a load of salt. The Baker was the first new freight built on the Great Lakes since 1983. The vessel was eventually refloated undamaged. The Coast Guard is aiming to do the same for the Barbro G.