SAULT STE. MARIE -- The freighter that was blocking traffic on the outbound channel of the St. Marys River has been refloated. The Paul Tregurtha became grounded about 3:00 a.m. Wednesday and crews freed it just before 6:30 a.m. Thursday.
The Coast Guard says no one was injured in the grounding, which didn't puncture the cargo hold or fuel system. The Paul Tregurtha is carrying about 62,000 tons of coal.
The grounding caused a backup of eleven vessels heading toward Lake Huron. There was no effect on ships heading toward Lake Superior.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is on scene and will be dredging the area to make sure the channel is clear.
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