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  • Deprecated function: TYPO3\PharStreamWrapper\Manager::initialize(): Implicitly marking parameter $collection as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 19 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/file.phar.inc).
  • Deprecated function: TYPO3\PharStreamWrapper\Manager::__construct(): Implicitly marking parameter $resolver as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 19 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/file.phar.inc).
  • Deprecated function: TYPO3\PharStreamWrapper\Manager::__construct(): Implicitly marking parameter $collection as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 19 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/file.phar.inc).
  • Deprecated function: UpdateQuery::expression(): Implicitly marking parameter $arguments as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in require_once() (line 1884 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: MergeQuery::expression(): Implicitly marking parameter $arguments as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in require_once() (line 1884 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: feeds_set_subscription_job(): Implicitly marking parameter $job as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 1442 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: rules_log(): Implicitly marking parameter $element as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 1442 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: rules_get_event_handler(): Implicitly marking parameter $settings as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 1442 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: session_set_save_handler(): Providing individual callbacks instead of an object implementing SessionHandlerInterface is deprecated in drupal_session_initialize() (line 245 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/session.inc).
  • Deprecated function: DrupalEntityControllerInterface::resetCache(): Implicitly marking parameter $ids as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 3562 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: DrupalDefaultEntityController::resetCache(): Implicitly marking parameter $ids as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 3562 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: SelectQueryInterface::getArguments(): Implicitly marking parameter $queryPlaceholder as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 3562 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: SelectQueryInterface::preExecute(): Implicitly marking parameter $query as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 3562 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: SelectQueryExtender::getArguments(): Implicitly marking parameter $queryPlaceholder as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 3562 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: SelectQueryExtender::preExecute(): Implicitly marking parameter $query as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 3562 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: SelectQuery::getArguments(): Implicitly marking parameter $queryPlaceholder as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 3562 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: SelectQuery::preExecute(): Implicitly marking parameter $query as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 3562 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: geocoder_widget_get_field_value(): Implicitly marking parameter $source_field_values as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 8 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/sites/all/modules/geocoder/geocoder.module).
  • Deprecated function: menu_tree_prune_tree(): Implicitly marking parameter $parent_item as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 1442 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: search_api_server_tasks_check(): Implicitly marking parameter $server as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 1442 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: search_api_execute_pending_tasks(): Implicitly marking parameter $server as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 1442 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: search_api_execute_pending_tasks_batch(): Implicitly marking parameter $server as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 1442 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: search_api_server_tasks_count(): Implicitly marking parameter $server as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 1442 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: search_api_access_execute_tasks_batch(): Implicitly marking parameter $server as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 1442 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: search_api_server_tasks_delete(): Implicitly marking parameter $ids as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 1442 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: search_api_server_tasks_delete(): Implicitly marking parameter $server as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 1442 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: search_api_index_specific_items_delayed(): Implicitly marking parameter $index as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 1442 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: search_api_current_search(): Implicitly marking parameter $query as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 1442 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: DrupalDefaultMetaTag::__construct(): Implicitly marking parameter $data as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 3562 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: DrupalRobotsMetaTag::__construct(): Implicitly marking parameter $data as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 3562 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: DrupalListMetaTag::__construct(): Implicitly marking parameter $data as nullable is deprecated, the explicit nullable type must be used instead in include_once() (line 3562 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/includes/bootstrap.inc).

UPDATE 9: Lightering operations begin on motor vessel Roger Blough in Lake Superior

June 3, 2016

The motor vessel Phillip R. Clarke arrives on scene with the motor vessel Roger Blough, which ran aground May 27, near Gros Cap Reefs Light in Lake Superior, June 3, 2016.

The Clarke is scheduled to remove some of the taconite from the Blough in order to lighten the Blough so it can be refloated, and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Buckthorn is on scene to enforce the 750-yard safety zone around the ships.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Craig Gorman

The motor vessel Phillip R. Clarke arrives on scene with the motor vessel Roger Blough, which ran aground May 27, near Gros Cap Reefs Light in Lake Superior, June 2, 2016.

The Clarke is scheduled to remove some of the taconite from the Blough in order to lighten the Blough so it can be refloated.

Photo courtesy of Transport Canada

The motor vessel Phillip R. Clarke receives taconite by conveyor belt from the motor vessel Roger Blough, which ran aground May 27, near Gros Cap Reefs Light in Lake Superior, June 3, 2016.

The Clarke is scheduled to remove some of the taconite from the Blough in order to lighten the Blough so it can be refloated.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kyle Schmidt

The motor vessel Phillip R. Clarke receives taconite by conveyor belt from the motor vessel Roger Blough, which ran aground May 27, near Gros Cap Reefs Light in Lake Superior, June 3, 2016.

The Clarke is scheduled to remove some of the taconite from the Blough in order to lighten the Blough so it can be refloated.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Craig Gorman

Taconite falls into the motor vessel Philip R. Clarke off the conveyor belt from the motor vessel Roger Blough, which ran aground May 27, near Gros Cap Reefs Light in Lake Superior, June 3, 2016.

The Clarke is scheduled to remove some of the taconite from the Blough in order to lighten the Blough so it can be refloated.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Tig Hogan

Taconite falls into the motor vessel Philip R. Clarke off the conveyor belt from the motor vessel Roger Blough, which ran aground May 27, near Gros Cap Reefs Light in Lake Superior, June 3, 2016.

The Clarke is scheduled to remove some of the taconite from the Blough in order to lighten the Blough so it can be refloated.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Tig Hogan

SAULT STE MARIE, Mich. — The U.S. Coast Guard continues to monitor and respond as lightering operations begin on the motor vessel Roger Blough, Friday, after the vessel ran aground May 27 on Gros Cap Reef in Whitefish Bay in Lake Superior.

The Philip R. Clarke arrived on scene with the Blough Thursday afternoon, and lightering operations started Friday at 5:45 a.m.

The safety perimeter has been increased from 500 yards to 750 yards.

Plans continue to progress to safely free the Blough from Gros Cap Reef through the combined efforts of Canadian partners, company representatives and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Boom remains in place at the rear of the vessel as a preventative measure against pollution and Canadian Coast Guard Environmental Response personnel are in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, with a large inventory of pollution control equipment with procedures in place and equipment readily available for all possible ship-source spill scenarios.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be providing assistance for lightering operations and will ensure the Birch Point Range channel is safe for navigation after the Blough is removed from the grounding site. 

There have been no changes in the rate of flooding and the crew remains in good condition.

A Transport Canada overflight was conducted Thursday afternoon and reported no pollution.

Information updates will continue to be released as they become available; previous releases for this response are available: release 1, update, update 2, update 3, update 4, update 5, update 6, update 7 and update 8.

Media with questions should contact Lt. Creighton Chong or Petty Officer 2nd Class Lauren Laughlin at Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie at 906-635-3309.

For questions regarding the Canadian Coast Guard response, media should contact Carol Launderville at Fisheries and Oceans Canada at 519-383-1804.