(Montreal) The unloading of the cargo of corn from the Cypriot ship which ran aground on Christmas Eve on the St. Lawrence River, in the Verchères sector, in Montérégie, should begin Thursday.
Posted at 6:40 a.m.
According to the current plan, more than 3,000 metric tons of the ship’s corn cargo MV Maccoa must be unloaded. The authorities hope that lightening the ship will allow it to float and then be refloated.
Unloading is expected to begin Thursday and continue until Saturday, Fisheries and Oceans Canada said earlier this week. Subsequently, a second bailout attempt is planned for Sunday.
However, the schedule could be modified depending on weather conditions and the availability of Groupe Océan tugs.
Indeed, Fisheries and Oceans Canada has specified that rain could complicate and slow down operations. Corn cannot be unloaded in the rain and certain conditions must be met for it to remain edible.
Last weekend, three tugboats tried to free the MV Maccoawithout success. As this refloating attempt failed, we had to move on to plan B, which involves unloading the ship.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, ARCHIVES SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Last weekend, three tugboats tried to free the MV Maccoa.
The MV Maccoa ran aground in the Verchères sector on December 24 due to a widespread power outage, the origin of which is not yet known.
Twenty members of the crew were on board the ship at the time of the incident. None of them were injured. The boat did not suffer any damage and no pollution was observed in the surrounding area.
The condition of the ship remains stable and the crew is still on board, Fisheries and Oceans Canada said Tuesday.
Canada
