The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has released its report on the grounding of the general cargo vessel Heemskerkgracht in the St. Lawrence Seaway near Kahnawake on August 22, 2024. The incident occurred after the ship’s main engine shut down due to a false alarm from its oil mist detector, which had been installed without a powered heater, leaving it prone to vapour buildup. The vessel ran aground but was later refloated and towed without injuries, pollution, or major damage. Investigators confirmed the false alarm was triggered by water vapour, and the operator has since replaced the detector with the correct model and ensured proper installation.
