The remains of a 76-foot pleasure craft sit in Lake Michigan April 21, 2017 off Ludington, Mich. U.S. Coast Guard photo
CLEVELAND — Coast Guard crews continue to monitor salvage operations Friday of a 76-foot recreational vessel that grounded on April 15 in the vicinity of Big Sable Point near Ludington, Michigan.
The vessel’s superstructure has broken off with debris scattered along the shoreline in the vicinity of the grounding. The deteriorating condition of the vessel was confirmed by an overflight conducted by Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City, Michigan.
Lightering operations were completed Thursday evening with a total of 70 gallons of oily water recovered from the starboard tank. It was determined that no fuel remained in the tank following the recovery.
Coast Guard pollution responders from Grand Haven, Michigan, are on scene and overseeing the recovery operation. There are no reports of pollution.
The operator of the vessel was on his way from Pentwater, Michigan, to Traverse City, Michigan, April 15 when he noticed his vessel was taking on water and decided to ground the vessel in about 3 feet of water.
A boat crew from Coast Guard Station Ludington responded and safely removed the operator from the vessel after it began listing about 15 degrees.
