Shipwreck Log

On March 10, the 30 foot long fishing tug Keep the Change sank on Stokes Bay on Lake Huron at its berth at Howdenvale, Ontario, Canada. The Keep the Change had been tied up the dock for several years when it sprung a leak and partially sank.  Reports state the vessel had diesel fuel that leaked out when the vessel suffered water ingress. The vessel owner placed an absorbent boom and pads to collect the pollution while the Canadian Coast Guard deployed a containment boom to prevent the diesel fuel spreading.

On March 13, contractors arrived on site and pulled the fishing tug ashore and removed any remaining fuel and oil on board the vessel. Authorities have stated the likely cause of the sinking was poor maintenance of the vessel.

Reports state this is the third vessel to sink around Stokes Bay in the last year.  On September 5, 2024 the fishing tug Gary M sank at the Stokes Bay dock releasing diesel fuel into the water. Authorities stated that 7,000 litres of polluted water was recovered.