Browsed by
Tag: United States Coast Guard

Hammond Bay

Hammond Bay

Hammond Bay
Photo: USCG

US Coast Guard Report:

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. — Coast Guard crews are continuing to respond Monday to a tug that sank in the upper St. Marys River and has been located near lighted buoy 35.

At 3:30 a.m., a search-and-rescue controller at Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., was contacted by the crew of the tug Bill Maier, which was towing three barges and the tug Hammond Bay when the crew lost sight of the Hammond Bay. After securing the barges, the Bill Maier’s crew attempted to locate the lost tug. They reported finding an oil sheen and a life ring from the lost tug, which led them to believe that the tug had sunk.

There was no one aboard the tug Hammond Bay at the time it became lost. The tugs Bill Maier and Hammond Bay are owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The Coast Guard responded to the incident with a boatcrews and a pollution responder aboard a 25-foot Response Boat-Small, and a 26-foot Trailerable Aids to Navigation Team Boat from Coast Guard Station Sault Ste. Marie, and an aircrew aboard an MH-65C Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City, Mich., which is conducting aerial assessments.

The Army Corps of Engineers survey vessel Bufe located the sunken tug Hammond Bay in the St. Mary’s River in 37 feet of water with 27 feet of overhead clearance near lighted buoy 35.

The Coast Guard is enforcing a 500 foot safety zone around the sunken tug. Aside from the safety zone, normal traffic movement along the St. Mary’s River has been restored without restriction.

Photo: duluthshippingnews.com
Photo: duluthshippingnews.com

The Army Corps of Engineers is working on a salvage plan for Hammond Bay.

No pollution was observed by the Coast Guard helocopter crew. The Coast Guard is continually monitoring the situation for any changes.

The Army Corps reports that the Hammond Bay has 200 gallons of diesel fuel and 15 gallons of oil aboard.

The Coast Guard is working with the Army Corps and other partners to minimize any environmental damage and impact to waterways that the sunken tug may present. They are also working on a way to remove the tug.

For more information, contact Lt. j.g. Derek Puzzuoli, Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie public affairs officer, at 906-635-3324.

Related articles

 

Enhanced by Zemanta
Ocean Viking

Ocean Viking

Photo: USCG
Photo: USCG

The 76 foot long fishing vessel Ocean Viking sank near Kodiak, Alaska.   The four crew and a dog had abandoned ship when the fishing vessel suffered uncontrolled water ingress.  The crew had sent out a distress call which was relayed to the Coast Guard.   The crew of Ocean Viking donned survival suits and abandoned into the vessel’s life raft.   The Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter to the scene which was able to rescue all 4 crew and the vessel’s dog.  No reports of injuries.   Reports state the crew were transported to Kodiak and were in good condition.   The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the sinking.

Related articles

 

Enhanced by Zemanta
Carnival Triumph Return to Mobile

Carnival Triumph Return to Mobile

Carnival Triumph
Photo: USCG

The disabled cruise ship Carnival Triumph  has been taken under tow on February 11 and proceeding to Mobile, Alabama.  Initial reports stated the vessel was to be towed to Pregreso, Mexico, but the Triumph had drifted some 90 miles further north making Mobile the closer destination.

The vessel continues to operate on backup generators providing passengers with limited facilities.  No reports of injuries to passengers or crew. Conditions on board were reported as difficult as many toilets have stopped functioning and passengers are sleeping in hallways.

The Coast Guard has announced a joint investigation with the NTSB and Bahamas Maritime Authority into the incident.  Investigators are expected in Mobile when the Triumph arrives.

Related articles

 

Enhanced by Zemanta