Efforts are ongoing to tow a stricken Russian cargo vessel Simushir away from the northwest Canadian coast.

On Saturday morning the Canadian Coast Guard said a tug the CCGS Gordon Reid had made good progress towing the vessel and 10 crew onboard 25 nm from the coastline of Haida Gawii allowing time for other resources to arrive on the scene.

“The CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier and the USCG (US Coast Guard) vesselSpar have arrived on scene to provide assistance as needed. Also, the oceangoing tug Barbara Foss continues toward the location," the Canadian Coast Guard said.

However, according to reports on CBCNews the tow line broke later on Saturday morning. CBCNews quoted the Canadian Navy that they were hoping the Barbara Foss would be able to attach a tow line.

"That really puts us in a good position to kind of made some decisions on the way ahead," said Canadian Navy Lt. Cmdr. Desmond James.