(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 has been postponed.
Posted at 6:40 a.m.
Updated at 10:03 a.m.
Rather than starting Thursday as planned, the unloading operation should instead begin this weekend, weather conditions permitting, Fisheries and Oceans Canada said.
“The preparation of the barges which will be used to unload the corn is still underway. The barges, when ready, will transit to the ship,” a ministry spokesperson said by email.
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.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada had already warned earlier this week that it was possible that the schedule could be modified.
In addition to the availability of Ocean Group tugs and barges, the weather is another element that can impact the operation, since corn cannot be unloaded in the rain. Certain conditions must in fact 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, in Montérégie, 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.
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