Monday night update on the grounded tug

NEWS RELEASE

U.S. COAST GUARD

************************* GRAND MARAIS, Mich – Today, the Coast Guard and environmental response contractors, were able to safely remove an additional 15 percent of the environmental hazards from the tug Seneca.

Pollution response efforts, thus far, have resulted in the removal of approximately 1,800 gallons of diesel fuel oil, 25 gallons of paint, and 30 gallons of lube oil.

Approximately less than 70 gallons of lube oil remain onboard the tug Seneca.

Early afternoon weather conditions forced the Coast Guard and pollution responders to suspend operations.

Current and forecasted weather conditions exceed the safe operating capabilities of the spud barge, which is utilized to transfer product from the tug to the proper storage containers.

Any continued efforts to retrieve additional petroleum product, under the current and forecasted weather conditions, would be considered hazardous to work crews and the barge.

The Coast Guard will continue to monitor the tug’s status by utilizing all available resources, which may include assets from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City, CGC Katmai Bay, or Coast Guard Station Sault Ste. Marie.

The Coast Guard and contractors will continue to assess the best course of action with regards to the vessel and the remaining petroleum product.

More photos of the grounded Seneca

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