Salvage complete for grounded tour boat

CLEVELAND – A salvage company contracted by the vessel’s owner removed the tour boat Pictured Rocks Tuesday evening from a beach near Empire, Mich., where it has remained since the boat ran aground Monday evening. The boat was freed at about 5 p.m. after the operator of an excavator dug around it to allow water to reach it, and a tugboat pulled it free from behind. It was towed to the vessel...

Coast Guard continues response to grounded tour boat

CLEVELAND – Coast Guard personnel are continuing their response this afternoon to the tour boat Pictured Rocks, which suffered damage while transiting in rough seas Monday night in Lake Michigan near Empire, Mich. Inspectors and investigators from Coast Guard Sector Field Office Grand Haven, Mich., assessed the damage to the boat and report the steel hull appears to be in good condition with...

Coast Guard airlifts 2 after tour boat becomes damaged in rough weather

CLEVELAND – A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew from Air Station Traverse City, Mich., airlifted two people from a tour boat after it became damaged in rough weather in Lake Michigan near Empire, Mich., Monday evening. The operator of the tour boat, Pictured Rocks, used the vessel’s VHF-FM marine radio to call for help at 8:23 p.m. after the vessel reportedly took a wave over the bow, blowing out...