Stuck Freighter Free In Mich. With Help of 7 Tugs

GROSSE ILE, Mich. – Seven tugboats have succeeded in freeing a 579-foot coal-hauling Great Lakes freighter that was grounded for two days in the Detroit River south of Detroit.

The McKee ran aground Friday near Grosse Ile while trying to dock at a DTE Energy Co. site.

The freighter came from Cleveland with a load of 11,900 tons of coal and a crew of 17. It has a hauling capacity of 29,500 tons.

The U.S. Coast Guard says efforts to free the freighter resumed Sunday after a Christmas break.

Guard Lt. Justin Westmiller says two more tugs joined the five already working to free the freighter.

Westmiller says the ship was freed about 2:45 p.m. Sunday and has docked at its destination.