A barge rests along side the 800-foot bulk carrier CSL Argosy Monday, Jan. 19, 2009, in preparation to transfer iron ore from aboard the ship.

CSL ARGOSY refloated
Stricken V.Ships bulker floats free...

The 800-foot bulk carrier CSL Argosy that was aground in Chesapeake Bay near Baltimore re-floated at approximately 10 p.m. Monday.

The ship is safely anchored near Annapolis, Md., while the crew manually inspects all areas of the ship. The results of these inspections will be reviewed by the Coast Guard. At this time there are no signs of damage or pollution.

The CSL Argosy re-floated after a total of approxiamtley 19,300 metric tons of iron ore were removed and transferred to barges. The ship and its crew transited with tug boat assistance to an anchorage near Annapolis.

The Unified Command established to respond to the grounded ship was a collective group comprised of the Coast Guard, State of Maryland, the ship's operator and VShips.

"VShips is extremely grateful there have been no injuries or pollution," said David Burke, Managing Director VShips Boston. "We really appreciate the long hours and hard work by the Coast Guard, State of Maryland and the response personnel. We also are fully cooperating with the Coast Guard while they conduct their investigation into the cause of the grounding. VShips supports anything that will promote safer shipping."

The cause of the grounding is under investigation by the Coast Guard.