June 11, 2020 - 3:14 PM
DE TOUR VILLAGE, Mich. - Authorities are investigating how a Canadian barge loaded with coal tar and diesel fuel ran aground in Michigan’s eastern Upper Peninsula.
The barge carrying 3,622 metric tons of coal tar and 6,340 gallons (24 cubic meters) of diesel fuel was grounded Wednesday at around 12:30 a.m. in St. Marys River near Sweets Point, north of DeTour Village.
Purvis Marine, which owns the 302-foot (92-meter) barge, is working the U.S. Coast Guard on a plan to remove the barge, officials told MLive.com.
Coast Guard investigators and pollution responders were on the scene to assess the environmental impacts, local Coast Guard officials said Wednesday. No release of pollution from the barge was detected after a Coast Guard helicopter flew over the area.
The barge has taken on water in a ballast tank and is currently stable, Coast Guard officials said.
The Coast Guard has established a safety zone around the barge, which means other vessels have to stay 500 yards (457 metres) away from it.
The St. Mary River acts as a maritime highway for freighters, barges and other vessels travelling between lakes Superior and Huron.
News from © The Associated Press, 2020