MILWAUKEE – Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan is investigating the sinking of the tug Andrea J in the Milwaukee Inner Mooring Basin after it sank in 25 feet of water as it was tied off to another vessel at a pier located within the mooring basin at approximately 8:30 a.m. today.
No personnel were onboard when the vessel sank. The Coast Guard has been working with the owner and other state and local agencies in coordinating salvage operations.
The master and owners of the Andrea J estimate that approximately 100 gallons of diesel fuel was onboard at the time the vessel sank. The Captain of the Port for Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan has approved the salvage plan which includes procedures that maximize the protection of the environment and coordinates a safe recovery method. Coast Guard personnel from Milwaukee are currently on scene overseeing the salvage operation.
“The Edward E. Gillen Company provided the Coast Guard with a salvage plan in a timely manner and has taken preventive measures by breaking surrounding ice and deploying an oil containment boom in place as a precaution,” according to Lt.Cmdr. Kimber Bannan (Assistant Chief of Prevention at Sector Lake Michigan).
The 37-foot tug boat is owned by the Gillen Company of Milwaukee. Commercial divers are currently conducting dive operations and are in the process of raising the vessel.
Source: USCG D9 Public Affairs
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