PORT HURON, Mich. — The Arthur J Unified Command has continued its efforts to salvage the Arthur J in Lake Huron at first light this morning.
The main objectives going forward are to continue salvage operations and continue monitoring beaches and shoreline for impacted areas.
The St. Clair County along with the Unified Command are proud to announce that all beaches along Lake Huron’s shoreline that were previously closed are now open for normal everyday recreational use. However, the public is likely to see responders walking the beaches as they continue to monitor the impacted areas.
Monitoring will continue as a precaution and any further updates will be released when available. No health risks are expected, however those with concerns or questions about local beaches can contact the Health Department’s Environmental Health Division by going to www.stclaircounty.org/offices/health.
The tug Madison has been salvaged and removed from the scene and all remaining oil and fuel aboard the Arthur J will be removed prior to continued salvage operations. As response operations are on-going, the boating public is asked to take precaution as they move about Lake Huron. There is a 500-yard safety zone around the salvage sight that is being enforced by Coast Guard Auxiliary and Coast Guard personnel. The salvage site is also a no wake zone, so boaters are encouraged to slow down around the salvage site.
Canadian aircraft will continue to fly surveillance for potential oil in the water during the continued salvage operations.
In the unlikely event that debris from the sunken vessels continue to wash ashore, the public should continue to call the public information hotline listed below, so responders can attend to the debris as needed.
For more information, questions or concerns please contact the Incident Command Post public information hotline at (810) 982-3910 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or email the Incident Command at arthurjresponse@gmail.com.
