Sault barge stuck in Detroit after crashing into pier

A tugboat and barge from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. remain stuck in the Detroit River after crashing into a pier Friday morning.

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) confirmed that the Anglian Lady – a 3500-horsepower tugboat registered to Purvis Marine Limited – collided with a pier while hauling a barge en route to the Nicholson Terminal, situated just west of the Ambassador Bridge.

The vessel suffered a 50 foot long hole in its side as a result of the collision.

“They’re checking the draft markings to make sure there’s not too much water coming into it, to where it could become a risk of sinking,” said USCG lieutenant junior grade Justin Bommer. “So far everything’s been good – they’ve put on additional mooring lines on the barge to keep it attached to the pier.”

“The damage to the pier is unknown because it’s obviously still being blocked by the barge.”

No injuries were reported in the incident.

The vessel remains under captain port order, meaning that it cannot be moved until the investigation into the cause of the collision is complete.

The coast guard says the company responsible for the tugboat and barge has hired an engineer to come up with a salvage plan.  

“It’s a deck barge, so there’s really no threat to the environment,” said Bommer. “They’re at a facility where they can offload the cargo.”

“The cargo’s still on board, and it’s going to stay on board until the plan for salvage is in place.”

A salvage plan could be in place sometime this week.