Salvage Team Boards Grounded MSC Baltic III Off Newfoundland as Response Efforts Continue

Salvage teams have successfully boarded the grounded containership MSC Baltic III off the coast of Newfoundland as response efforts continue in difficult sea conditions.

The Canadian Coast Guard has reported that no pollution has been detected following assessments conducted from both the shoreline and the air. The CCGS Ann Harvey remains on-site to provide assistance, while the arrival of the CCGS Jean Goodwill has been delayed due to ice-clearing operations in shipping lanes.

The incident began on Saturday, February 15, when the MSC Baltic III issued a MAYDAY call after losing power approximately 12 nautical miles from Bay of Islands, Newfoundland. The vessel subsequently ran aground in Wild Cove, west of Lark Harbour, as weather conditions prevented the crew from anchoring.

All 20 crew members were safely evacuated by a Cormorant helicopter shortly after the grounding.

At the time of the incident, the vessel was carrying around 470 containers, with more than half reported to be empty. The cargo mainly consists of food, lumber, and paper supplies. Authorities are currently working to ascertain the exact amount of diesel fuel on board the vessel.

Maritime authorities have established a two-nautical-mile restricted zone around the vessel. Drone operations are currently prohibited in the area due to ongoing helicopter activities. The MSC Baltic III was en route from Montreal to Corner Brook, Newfoundland, when the incident occurred. Response efforts continue to face challenges due to adverse sea conditions, which have limited the deployment of certain response equipment.