Unloading of grounded ship in the St. Lawrence postponed to Saturday
A tugboat tries to release the MV Maccoa after it ran aground in the St. Lawrence River in Verchères, Que., Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. (Graham Hughes / The Canadian Press)
An operation to off-load thousands of tonnes of corn from a ship that ran aground in the St. Lawrence River northeast of Montreal has been postponed to the weekend.
The plan had been to start unloading the MV Maccoa Thursday, but Fisheries and Oceans Canada said the barges needed to carry the corn are still being readied in Quebec City.
Once ready, the barges from the company Ocean Group will make the 20-hour journey to an area near Vercheres, Que., where the Cyprus-flagged 185-metre bulk carrier ran aground in the early hours of Dec. 24, said Amelie Boisjoly-Lavoie, acting deputy superintendent of the Canadian Coast Guard's marine hazards and environmental response team.
"We hope that the barges will be ready today (Thursday) so the transit could take place tomorrow," Boisjoly-Lavoie said, adding that preparing the barges has taken longer than expected, likely because of the holiday period.
More than 3,000 metric tonnes of corn must be off-loaded to help get the ship floating so it can resume its course. The operation will be carried out weather permitting, as corn cannot be off-loaded in the rain or else it risks turning inedible.
Last weekend, three tugboats tried to free the vessel but failed. As a result, officials decided to unload the ship to lighten its weight before trying to pull it loose.
"In many cases, with three tugs pulling on the ship, it will free it, but in this case, the ship is too far into the mud, so the next step is to remove weight, Boisjoly-Lavoie said. It's unknown when the next attempt to free the ship will take place.
Twenty crew members remain on board the vessel, which is deemed to be in stable condition.
No one was injured during the incident and no pollution was detected in the area where the ship ran aground.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Jan. 2, 2024.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Calgary woman stranded in Mexico after husband's death during diving trip
A Calgary woman is struggling to return home after her husband died while diving in Mexico, leaving her stranded and facing financial hardship.
Fugitive U.S. rioter seeks asylum in Whistler amid warnings of more to come
An American citizen convicted of participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on Capitol Hill and dodging jail time in Whistler may just be the start of an asylum-seeking rush, according to a prominent legal expert.
Special national Liberal caucus meeting called for next week after regional chairs meet: sources
A special meeting of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's national Liberal caucus has been called for next Wednesday, sources say.
'Inadmissible' foreign nationals to pay more upon return to Canada: CBSA
Foreign nationals who refuse or are unable to pay their own way home after being denied stay in Canada will soon face steeper financial penalties should they ever attempt to return.
N.S. community shocked by deaths of father, daughter; suspect was wanted in Toronto shooting
A Nova Scotia community is mourning the loss of two of its members after they were shot and killed in Halifax on New Year's Eve.
Sea and Himalayan salts recalled in Canada: 'Do not use, serve or distribute'
Two brands of sea and Himalayan salt are being recalled in Canada due to pieces of plastic found in the products.
Soldier who blew up Tesla at Trump hotel left note saying blast was to be a 'wakeup call' for the U.S.
A highly decorated Army soldier who fatally shot himself in a Tesla Cybertruck just before it blew up outside the Trump hotel in Las Vegas left notes saying the New Year's Day explosion was a stunt to serve as a “wakeup call” for the country’s ills, investigators said Friday.
Canada pausing applications for parent, grandparent permanent residency sponsorships
Canada will not accept new parent and grandparent permanent residency sponsorship applications until further notice, according to a ministerial directive.
'It's about time': Experts in Canada support call for warnings about cancer risk from alcohol
While Canada hasn't mandated cancer warnings for alcoholic beverages, a few experts are supporting a new push in the U.S. to have the labels on the products.
Toronto
-
2 Royal Military College students jumped into action to save a man from a burning car in North York
A black Ford Mustang had lost control while traveling north along Bayview, crashing into cement pillars near the stores loading dock.
-
Union representing Ontario college faculty issues five-day strike notice
Ontario college students could soon see their winter semester cut short as the union representing faculty at the province’s 24 public colleges could walk off the job as early as Thursday next week.
-
2024 was record-setting year for precipitation at Toronto airport: Environment Canada
Environment Canada says two massive summer storms helped catapult Toronto’s Pearson International Airport to its wettest year on record.
Ottawa
-
Highrise fire on Ramsey Crescent displaces 39 residents, injures 16
The Ottawa Paramedic Service says four adult women were taken to hospital following a fire that happened in a highrise on Ramsey Crescent, in the west end of Ottawa, in the early hours of Friday morning.
-
Man, woman seriously injured following multi-vehicle collision on Bank Street
A man and a woman were seriously injured following a multi-vehicle collision on Bank Street at Lester Road Friday afternoon, according to the Ottawa Paramedic Service.
-
OTTAWA'S LRT
OTTAWA'S LRT All aboard Ottawa's new LRT line: What you need to know about the new north-south Line 2 and Line 4
Ottawa’s new north-south rail line will open to the public on Monday, Jan. 6, connecting downtown Ottawa and Riverside South with a spur to the Ottawa International Airport.
Atlantic
-
N.S. community shocked by deaths of father, daughter; suspect was wanted in Toronto shooting
A Nova Scotia community is mourning the loss of two of its members after they were shot and killed in Halifax on New Year's Eve.
-
Saint John man charged with second-degree murder in wife’s Christmas Eve death
A man accused of murdering his wife on Christmas Eve made his first court appearance in Saint John, N.B., Friday morning.
-
Winter storm watch issued in Cape Breton; Weather statements expanded in N.S. and P.E.I.
A major winter storm is expected to hit eastern parts of the Maritimes Sunday into Monday.
N.L.
-
Labradorians pay thousands to fly to Newfoundland. Could a Quebec energy deal help?
An airport executive in Labrador hopes a new energy deal with Quebec could help attract a competing airline company to the northern region, where flights costs have climbed at more than three times the national rate.
-
Icebreaker on hand in Labrador to guide season's last freight arrivals by ferry
A Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker is in central Labrador until Saturday to guide the Kamutik W ferry on its last freight deliveries of the season.
-
Whooping cough in Canada: Outbreaks or case increases reported in these provinces
Canadian health officials say they're seeing spikes in whooping cough cases in parts of the country as the U.S. deals with case numbers not seen in more than a decade.
Northern Ontario
-
Suspect charged in northern Ont. road rage incident that went viral
A 37-year-old suspect has been charged in connection with a road rage incident last week in Temiskaming Shores.
-
Northern staff react to Ontario college faculties issuing five-day notice of labour action
College faculty in Ontario gave its five-day notice of starting labour action on Friday, which could include a strike or some other work stoppage at the 24 schools within the province.
-
Sault, Ont., man claims Indigenous moose hunting rights without proof, fined $5,500
A hunter from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., has been fined for moose hunting without a licence or proper documentation. He claimed Indigenous hunting rights but failed to provide any proof.
London
-
'Justice has been done': Man who fatally shot teen at bush party guilty of second degree murder
Carlos Guerra Guerra has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the 2021 bush party murder trial.
-
Road conditions deteriorate in areas north of London
Several areas in midwestern Ontario have had a snow squall watch upgraded to a snow squall warning.
-
College faculty could walk off the job as of January 9
Following months of anticipation, discussion, and bargaining, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) is one step closer to walking off the job.
Kitchener
-
Snow squall warnings for southwestern Ontario
Environment Canada says southwestern Ontario could get between 15 and 60 centimetres of snow by Saturday.
-
Union representing Ontario college faculty issues five-day strike notice
Ontario college students could soon see their winter semester cut short as the union representing faculty at the province’s 24 public colleges could walk off the job as early as Thursday next week.
-
Volunteers get ice rinks ready for skating season
Now that there’s a stretch of sub-zero temperatures in the forecast, volunteers have been busy getting ice rinks ready for skaters.
Windsor
-
2.99% tax increase in proposed 2025 Windsor budget
The proposed 2025 City of Windsor budget includes a 2.99 per cent tax increase.
-
-
'It was a privilege to work alongside him': Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex joins worldwide memorial for Jimmy Carter
Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex is joining a worldwide memorial for late U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
Barrie
-
Persistent snow squalls bring heavy accumulations to Barrie area
Environment Canada is maintaining its snow squall warning for most of central Ontario on Friday.
-
Warrant issued for allegedly armed and dangerous man wanted for attempted murder
Police in York Region have issued an arrest warrant for one man following a reported shooting at a motel in Queensville.
-
Fail-to-remain driver busted hours after collision
A Cambridge man was busted in Caledon for a Brampton collision.
Vancouver
-
Fugitive U.S. rioter seeks asylum in Whistler amid warnings of more to come
An American citizen convicted of participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on Capitol Hill and dodging jail time in Whistler may just be the start of an asylum-seeking rush, according to a prominent legal expert.
-
Former Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Vancouver to be demolished
A former luxury hotel tower in downtown Vancouver is slated to be demolished.
-
Accused in armed robbery at Vancouver Holt Renfrew has prior convictions
The 66-year-old man accused of holding up a Holt Renfrew in downtown Vancouver this week has prior convictions, including for two other robberies that involved fake guns.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. driver who tried to apprehend suspected impaired driver was impaired: RCMP
Mounties on Vancouver Island say a 50-year-old motorist who tried to apprehend a suspected impaired driver on New Year's Eve, was, in fact, impaired and was issued a 90-day driving prohibition by police.
-
Attending hundreds of serious crash scenes each year takes its toll, B.C. first responders say
Just days into the new year, officials are already pleading with British Columbians to follow the rules of the road.
-
Woman, 63, dead after collision on Vancouver Island
A 63-year-old woman is dead after the car she was driving collided with a truck on southern Vancouver Island.
Winnipeg
-
'Hopeful that we can make this go': Potential $5.25 million bid made for Lemay Forest
There is a new offer to buy and preserve the Lemay Forest.
-
New train detection system on track to alert motorists, first responders about railway traffic
Winnipeg may soon see a new train detection system that lets motorists know when to use alternate routes and avoid railway crossings.
-
Manitoba authorities investigate record 99 homicides in 2024
Manitoba hit a grim record in 2024 – reaching the highest number of homicides being investigated.
Calgary
-
Calgary woman stranded in Mexico after husband's death during diving trip
A Calgary woman is struggling to return home after her husband died while diving in Mexico, leaving her stranded and facing financial hardship.
-
Calgary police seek driver of 'red vehicle' wanted in serious hit-and-run on Memorial Drive
Calgary police are hoping to gain more information from the public on a hit-and-run in November that badly injured one person.
-
Third person charged with first-degree murder in Lethbridge motel death
A third person has been charged with first-degree murder after a woman was found dead in a Lethbridge motel room over the weekend.
Edmonton
-
'Flames were shooting higher than the garage': Block heater cords cause 2 fires in 2 days in Edmonton
Peter Claffey was shocked Thursday morning to find his truck in flames outside his southwest Edmonton home.
-
Homicide investigation underway after woman found dead on Edmonton riverbank
Police have identified a woman who was recently found dead on the shore of the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton.
-
Gas leak slows traffic on 111 Avenue Friday night
Drivers were asked to avoid 111 Avenue near 110 Street due to a gas leak on Friday night.
Regina
-
Sask. RCMP investigating woman's death on Piapot First Nation
Saskatchewan RCMP says it is investigating the death of a 30-year-old woman on Piapot First Nation as suspicious in nature.
-
SaskAbilites Yorkton enhances relaxation room
SaskAbilities Yorkton has enhanced their relaxation room to help people with disabilities experience a more comfortable and calming environment.
-
CTV Regina's top trending stories of 2024
Whether it was hard news or light-hearted features, the year of 2024 hosted some very compelling stories – with several being widely shared online and reaching new audiences.
Saskatoon
-
$20k of equipment stolen from rural Sask. Fire hall. And it's not the only one
Rural firehalls surrounding Saskatoon are having to deal with escalating thefts that could put rescue efforts in jeopardy.
-
Two people charged with murder after suspicious death on Sask. First Nation
A man and a woman have been charged with first degree murder after a 24-year-old man died of injuries on Saulteaux First Nation.
-
Inmate who escaped federal prison in Saskatchewan arrested
After about five months of searching, police have arrested Jareth Gardipy-Taypotat, who escaped from the Willow Cree Healing Lodge, a minimum-security federal institution north of Saskatoon.
