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Rescuers & Seaway workers in Massena thanked for response to June cruise ship crash at Eisenhower Lock

Posted 10/20/15

MASSENA -- U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) Administrator Betty Sutton today recognized North Country local and regional emergency …

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Rescuers & Seaway workers in Massena thanked for response to June cruise ship crash at Eisenhower Lock

Posted

MASSENA -- U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) Administrator Betty Sutton today recognized North Country local and regional emergency responders as well as SLSDC employees who were part of the exceptional response effort in June when the Saint Laurent, a cruise ship with nearly 300 people aboard, hit a concrete bumper while entering Eisenhower Lock.

Representatives from approximately two dozen emergency response organizations were presented plaques and honored during the ceremony for their outstanding service, which was held at the SLSDC Eisenhower Lock Visitors’ Center.
 
“Our Department works tirelessly to promote and preserve the highest standards of safety in our transportation systems, to prevent accidents from ever happening,” said Secretary Foxx. “But when accidents do occur, we need to have well-trained folks who are capable of mitigating damage and potentially even saving lives. When the Saint Laurent struck the bumper of the Eisenhower lock gate in June, we were very lucky to have some of the most talented and disciplined first responders and employees on hand to stabilize the ship and help individuals seek medical care.”

The Saint Laurent was carrying 192 passengers, 81 crew, and a pilot when it struck the upstream bumper at Eisenhower Lock on Thursday, June 18. SLSDC staff immediately activated the agency's emergency response plan and notified all the emergency services needed to respond to the incident, including the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the New York State Police, the Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department, the St. Regis Mohawk community, and other local emergency medical responders. The rapid activation of the response plan secured the passengers' safety first and subsequently allowed SLSDC and Coast Guard responders to stabilize the vessel in the lock. With all passengers safely secured, the SLSDC and its partners focused on moving the vessel safely away from Eisenhower Lock and resuming navigation as quickly as possible.

"This is a critical transportation route and our team is committed to ensuring that the waterway continues to be safe, efficient, and reliable," said SLSDC Administrator Sutton. “Response to the unfortunate incident in June was both effective and thorough. Due to the swift actions of rescue workers and staff, passengers were quickly given the medical attention they needed and we were able to resume routine navigation within 48 hours.”

In addition to the Secretary and Administrator, a number of local elected officials including Massena Mayor Tim Currier, Massena Town Supervisor Joe Gray, and NY State Senator Joseph Griffo attended the ceremony. Letters from Senator Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Representative Elise Stefanik, and State Senator Patty Ritchie were also read as part of the program.