Traverse City Record-Eagle

Michigan

July 21, 2012

Salvaging of barge, tugboat to start today

LAKEPORT — The U.S. Coast Guard says a plan has been approved for salvaging a sunken barge and an overturned tugboat in southern Lake Huron, and work will begin "at first light" this morning.

The 110-foot dredging barge and the 38-foot tug were overcome in rough seas early Thursday morning about a mile from the Michigan coast and nearly six miles from the opening to the St. Clair River.

No one was hurt. Diesel fuel spilled into the lake, but officials say it's uncertain how much escaped.

Crews from the Coast Guard's Detroit station flew over the scene twice Friday. They saw a small sheen trailing the sunken vessel but said no fuel was seen along the shore, although some did wash onto beaches Thursday.

Text Only