| Sector Lake Michigan U.S. Coast Guard |
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| Press Release |
Date: August 8, 2006
Contact: Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Malinauskas |
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COAST GUARD INVESTIGATES SINKING OF DREDGE BARGE MILWAUKEE - U.S. Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan will conduct a marine casualty investigation into the sinking of the 130-foot dredge-barge Courtney. On August 6, 2006, the unmanned dredge-barge sank in approximately 800 feet of water, 21 miles west of Frankfurt, Mich. Originally under tow, on August 4, from Ludington, Mich., to Escanaba, Mich., Courtney experienced difficulties and capsized approximately 20 miles east of Sturgeon Bay, Wisc. The dredge-barge was under tow by the tug Carol Ann,. The barge remained afloat and proceeded under tow back to Ludington on August 5, where salvage operations were to be conducted. Deteriorating weather presented a safety hazard and did not allow for the tug to complete the tow. The barge was anchored overnight 21 miles west of Frankfurt. On August 6, a Coast Guard helicopter overflight confirmed the barge did not remain afloat and sank. Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan responded by coordinating efforts with agencies from both Wisconsin and Michigan to develop a salvage plan and recover the barge. The Coast Guard conducted several overflights with USCG Marine Safety Detachment personnel onboard, as well as surveying the barge on scene when it was reported to be capsized. Additionally, the Coast Guard's Salvage Engineering Response Team of the Marine Safety Center in Washington, D.C. was utilized in determining a safe recovery plan. The barge Courtney is 130 feet in length, 28 ft in width, and is owned by King Co. in Holland, Mich. Courtney has the capacity to carry 10,000 gallons of diesel fuel, but the exact amount of fuel onboard, at the time of the sinking, is unknown. NOAA's Scientific Support Coordinator to the Coast Guard has determined that if in fact the barge contained the maximum amount of diesel fuel onboard that it could hold, it is highly unlikely that any fuel would make landfall based on the depth of water and type of diesel fuel onboard. Due to the location of the sunken barge, there are no feasible recovery operations that would allow the barge to be salvaged or the fuel to be removed. The Coast Guard is currently conducting a marine casualty investigation to determine the cause of the sinking. For more information, contact Sector Lake Michigan Public Affairs Officer at (414) 747-7145. -30- |
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