The Coast Guard is coordinating response to a sunken dredge and capsized tugboat in lower Lake Huron
There were no injuries reported, but a 500-foot diesel sheen has been reported.
The accident, involving the motor vessel Arthur J., a 110-foot dredge, and the 38-foot tugboat Madison, occurred five nautical miles north-northwest of the entrance to the St. Clair River, one nautical mile from the Michigan shoreline and four nautical from Canadian waters. Both vessels are owned by MCM Marine.
Although the dredge can potentially carry 8,000 gallons of diesel, the owner reports that it had between 1,500 and 2,000 gallons of #2 diesel aboard. Containment boom has been deployed around the vessels to minimize further environmental impact.
The vessels remain partially submerged in 22 feet of water but are outside the shipping channel, so commercial shipping has not been affected. However, any mariners in the area should proceed with caution add the USCG.
