American Spirit Floats Free Duluth Sunday Evening

#LSN_Shipping  American Spirit Aground 

DULUTH, MINNESOTA -  June 18, 2018  (LSN)  The motor vessel American Spirit, which ran aground in Duluth-Superior Harbor, Duluth, Minnesota, floated free from the bottom at approximately 10 p.m. (central standard time) Sunday.

The American Spirit floated free from the bottom due to a water level rise in the harbor. It proceeded under its own power, with tug assistance, to the Husky Fuel dock. An examination of the interior and exterior of the hull is ongoing.

The safety zone established around the American Spirit is no longer in effect. The Duluth Ship Canal, Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge, and Minnesota Slip Bridge are open and operating as normal.

There were no reports of injuries.

U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Duluth is searching for signs of pollution in the area to identify any threats to the environment.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

-USCG-

DULUTH, MINNESOTA -  June 17, 2018  (LSN) The Coast Guard is monitoring the 990-foot motor vessel American Spirit, which ran aground in Duluth Harbor, Minnesota, at approximately 3:30 p.m. (central standard time) Sunday.

American Spirit, loaded with iron ore pellets, ran aground in the Duluth harbor Sunday afternoon, closing the Aerial Lift Bridge to ship traffic for the time being.

There are no reported injuries or signs of pollution.

There is currently a 500-yard safety zone being enforced around the vessel.

The vessel was departing Duluth Harbor fully loaded with taconite when it ran aground just short of the breakwall while attempting to turn out of the harbor. 

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

-USCG-