The U.S. Coast Guard is actively responding to a marine casualty involving the Honorable James L. Oberstar, a U.S.-flagged, self-discharging bulk carrier that ran aground on June 8 in the St. Marys River near Neebish Island, Michigan.
The grounding occurred around 3:50 p.m. after the vessel experienced vibrations while attempting a turn near Johnson Point. The ship, which was carrying approximately 29,000 tonnes of limestone at the time, anchored at Hay Lake, where it remains under observation. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, and there has been no evidence of pollution despite the vessel’s capacity for up to 108,000 gallons of fuel and oil products. As a precaution, anti-pollution measures, including containment equipment, have been deployed around the ship.
A Unified Command was established on June 10 to coordinate response efforts. Their priorities include safety, environmental protection, and minimizing disruptions to economic activities in the area.
Salvage operations are ongoing, and on June 12, the cargo began being transferred to the bulk carrier Kaye E. Barker using an on-site crane barge.
