Canadian Freighter Jana Desgagnes close to the seawall in Pt. Huron - May 21/18 (Photo Courtesy of Chad Rickert Via Facebook)Canadian Freighter Jana Desgagnes close to the seawall in Pt. Huron - May 21/18 (Photo Courtesy of Chad Rickert Via Facebook)
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UPDATE: Wayward Freighter Not Obligated To Report Near Miss (VIDEO)

The U.S. Coast Guard says a Canadian-flagged oil tanker that nearly hit the Port Huron seawall Monday night was not obligated to report the incident. Sector Detroit Ensign Justin Bommer says their investigation indicates there was no collison.

"The vessel was still operating within the navigable channel, and the U.S. Coast Guard has reached out to the pilot's association and to the ship, and has reviewed the video," says Bommer. "Up to this point there's been no evidence to support that there was any striking of the seawall or the ground. Since there was no contact, there was no marine casualty, so they did not have any obligation to report that anything had happened."

Bommer says the freighter's pilot, at the time, was Canadian so jurisdiction for any review of his credentials lies with Transport Canada.

In an email to BlackburnNews.com Wednesday, Transport Canada confirmed it was aware of the incident that occurred at around 10:30pm on May 21 near the Blue Water Bridge.

The federal department said that commercial vessels operating in Canada must comply with the Canada Shipping Act, and since the freighter was back in Canadian waters, it would be following up to ensure it complies with the act and is safe for operation.

Rigel Shipping President Brian Ritchie, who is in charge of the shipping company involved, has been quoted in Michigan media, saying the near miss was the result of pilot error.

Ritchie says an incorrect demand was given to steer to port when it should have been starboard. He said the captain quickly corrected the error and the 400 ft Jana Desgagnes came extremely close to the seawall, but avoided hitting it.

The tanker was fully loaded with refined oil, bound for Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay.

42-year-old Port Huron fisherman Chad Rickert recorded video of the incident and posted it on his Facebook page.

It has been viewed over 180,000 times.

https://www.facebook.com/chad.rickert.9/videos/2079246295437297/

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