Canadian Press | Oct 12, 2012 12:01 PM ET | Last Updated: Oct 12, 2012 12:55 PM ET
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KINGSVILLE, Ont. — Efforts have resumed to refloat a ferry that is stuck in Lake Erie near Kingsville, Ont., south of Windsor.
The Pelee Island ferry and its nearly three dozen passengers and crew have been stuck on a sandbar since Thursday afternoon.
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The Canadian Coast Guard said strong winds and large waves had made it unsafe to attempt an immediate rescue.
“The Canadian Coast Guard, due to high winds and poor weather, wasn’t able to evacuate the passengers off today (Thursday),” coast guard spokeswoman Carol Launderville told The Windsor Star Thursday evening.
“We’re going to try again in the morning, very early in the morning.”
“They are totally safe on board, there’s no danger, they have food and warmth so it’s a safe situation,” said Launderville.
The Coast Guard and a salvage company from Toledo, Ohio were expected to try to free the “Jiimaan” starting about 7:30 a.m. ET.
Owen Sound Transportation Co. president Susan Schremp says the ferry grounded due to low water levels not far from shore.
Schremp adds this is the first time the ferry has run aground for a reason other than mechanical failure.
Kingsville residents and passengers aboard the ferry are using Twitter to send out updates on the rescue attempt.
GOOD NEWS! So far there is no sign of underwater damage to ship. When we are off the sand bar, we are sailing to Leamington for inspection.—
Pelee Island Ferry (@peleeferry) October 12, 2012
Breaking news: Anchors are up, engines are running, and the tug has started to pull! Stay tuned!!!—
Pelee Island Ferry (@peleeferry) October 12, 2012
Been asked to leave upper deck by crew for safety reasons. Will have to follow the action from inside… #jiimaan—
Erin (@colourandlight) October 12, 2012
Engines on #jiimaan are engaged, tug is tugging mightily. Much creaking and groaning! Can feel the ship moving. Exciting!—
Erin (@colourandlight) October 12, 2012
A tug is starting to pull the Jiiman to try to release it off a sandbar. Passengers and crew still aboard. @AM800News http://t.co/5nKtspSI—
Patty Handysides (@PattyHandysides) October 12, 2012
The jiiman being stuck on the sandbar is kingsvilles biggest attraction atm—
Rylee Marentette (@Marentette18) October 11, 2012
Read the full story from The Windsor Star…
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Topics: Canada, News, Jiimaan
[...] More than 30 stranded on Pelee Island ferry that ran aground in Lake Erie [...]
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Article source: http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/10/12/three-dozen-people-stranded-on-pelee-island-ferry-that-ran-aground-in-lake-erie/