Marine Link
Thursday, March 28, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

Sector Lake Michigan News

05 Jan 2023

ATB Tug Partially Sinks in Port Milwaukee

(Photo: U.S. Coast Gard)

Multiple agencies are responding to prevent any potential environmental damages after a tug partially sank at its moorings on the Kinnickinnic River in Port Milwaukee.The Coast Guard said its watchstanders at Sector Lake Michigan were notified by the National Response Center at 11:27 a.m. on Monday that the vessel Michigan, part of an articulated tug and barge (ATB) unit, began taking on water and partially sank in 26 feet of water.Photos shared by the Coast Guard earlier this week show the stern of the 115-foot-long tug submerged while its bow remains above the waterline…

29 Apr 2022

Bulker Runs Aground in Lake Michigan

U.S. Coast Guard photo by members from ANT Muskegon

A commercial bulk carrier has run soft aground on a sand bar in Lake Michiganite, at the entrance to Muskegon, Mich. the U.S. Coast Guard said.U.S. Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan and Marine Safety Detachment Grand Haven are responding to the 750-foot motor vessel Kaye E. Barker, which ran aground late in the evening on April 28 while transiting inbound toward Muskegon with a load of stone aggregate. No injuries have been reported and initial inspections indicated no pollution.The Coast Guard is on site and working with the shipping company…

06 Nov 2018

SubM: The Coast Guard IS Still an Option

Credit: Ashton Marine

Not all towing vessel companies are choosing Third Party Organizations (TPOs) for their Subchapter M compliance option. One size does not fit all.Under Subchapter M, towing vessel companies may opt to use TPOs to conduct their audits and surveys instead of inspections by the Coast Guard. While many companies are going the TPO route, many are opting for traditional Coast Guard inspections.As a retired Coast Guard marine inspector, I have always advocated the Coast Guard option to our clients.

07 Dec 2016

Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw, the ‘Christmas Ship’

Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw is moored at Navy Pier in Chicago. Loaded with 1,200 Christmas trees, Mackinaw arrived in Chicago to serve as this year's "Christmas Ship". (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Brian Hinton)

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw returned to Chicago on December 3, 2016 as this year’s “Christmas Ship” loaded with 1,200 Christmas trees. Each year, the Coast Guard partners with the Chicago Christmas Ship Committee to participate in the two-day event depicting the annual Chicago tradition from the early 1900s, combining the trip with the cutter's annual aids-to-navigation mission as part of Operation Fall Retrieve. This annual operation affects 1,233 lighted and unlighted buoys and beacons throughout the Great Lakes.

19 Nov 2016

All Set for Ice Breaking Operations in Bay of Green Bay

In January 2017 the U.S. Coast Guard will commence ice breaking operations in the bay of Green Bay to ensure the safe navigation and overall safe transport of economically-significant commercial shipments. In support of the Port of Green Bay, the Coast Guard will establish and maintain tracks through the ice from Rock Island Passage to the Fox River. The tracks through the ice will extend to Escanaba, Marinette-Menominee, Sturgeon Bay and Green Bay. “Coast Guard waterway managers balance the needs of commercial operators moving the cargoes that fuel industry with those of recreational users enjoying the pristine natural beauty of our Great Lakes,” said Capt. Amy Cocanour, commander of Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan.

04 Jun 2016

USCG Completes Investigation into Wake from Milwaukee

The Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan-led investigation regarding wake from the USS Milwaukee and recreational vessels off Chambers Island on Green Bay September 5, 2015, is completed. The marine casualty investigation determined that enforcement action against any of the parties involved would not forward the integrity of maritime safety and is therefore not warranted. As required by federal regulations, the Coast Guard conducted a marine casualty investigation. This investigative process collects and reviews all available information when a marine incident occurs and causes an injury, a specific level of property damage, harms the environment, affects seaworthiness of the vessel, or results in a loss of life.

16 Mar 2016

Seafarer Heroism Honored by USCG

The Coast Guard presented the crew of the cargo ship Joseph L. Block with a lifesaving award in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, Saturday. Capt. Amy Cocanour, the Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan commander, presented the Capt. David P. Dobbins Award to Raymond Sheldon, Thomas Garvey, David Schwarz, Keith Breyfogle, Basil Friend, Joyce Greenisen, Aaron Vonsprechen, Stephen Kowalski, Michelle Fetterly, Betty Benish, Guy Curtis, Roger Long, Carlos Ledezma, Kyle Long, Jeffrey Thompson, David Morrow, Nicholas McCall, Larry Noirot, Glenn Woodford, Ronald Fey, David Deverin, Shawn Bowman, and Gary Warner for their role in saving the life of a boater in Lake Michigan, August 2015. The Capt. David P.

28 Dec 2015

More Dangerous Weather on Lake Michigan

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan warns of strong winds, high waves and mixed precipitation expected to create dangerous conditions in the area over the next few days, and is therefore urging mariners to take caution. The National Weather Service in Milwaukee issued a storm warning for southern Lake Michigan through midnight and a gale warning for the entire lake until Tuesday morning. Winds are expected to gust to more than 60 mph across the lake, and waves are forecast to build to more than 20 feet in some areas. “The forecasted conditions will result in dangerous conditions along Lake Michigan," said Cmdr. Leanne Lusk, chief of response at Sector Lake Michigan.

23 Dec 2015

Heavy Weather Expected on Lake Michigan

The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan is urging mariners and anyone going on or near the water Wednesday to use extreme caution and be aware of extreme weather on Lake Michigan over the next few days. The National Weather Service in Milwaukee issued a gale warning for all of Lake Michigan effective from Wednesday evening through Thursday morning, as winds are expected to gust to more than 50 mph across the lake, and waves are forecast to build to more than 15 feet. These heavy winds, high waves and driving rain will create dangerous conditions for anyone on the water, the Coast Guard said. “Operating a vessel in gale conditions requires experience and properly equipped vessels,” said Dennis Vancleve, of the National Weather Service.

24 Aug 2015

Search Suspended for Overboard Freighter Crewman

M/V Stewart J. Cort (Photo: Interlake Steamship Company)

The search for a man who reportedly jumped overboard from a freighter near Big Sable Point in Lake Michigan early Sunday morning has been suspended, the U.S. Coast Guard reported. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan received a report just before 2 a.m. Sunday, from the motor vessel Stewart J. Cort, a 989-foot, U.S.-flagged freighter owned by the Interlake Steamship Company, that they had a man overboard approximately 3-4 miles offshore of Big Sable Point. Crew members reportedly witnessed the man climb over the rail and jump from the vessel.

05 Aug 2015

USCG Dedicates Final 41-foot Utility Boat

The last operational Coast Guard 41-foot patrol boat rests at the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay, Wisc. (USCG photo by Tom Morrell)

U.S. Representatives from U.S. Coast Guard, the city of Sturgeon Bay and the Door County Maritime Museum dedicated the Coast Guard’s last operational 41-foot utility boat, Tuesday, during the Sturgeon Bay Maritime Festival. The dedication ceremony, held at the Door County Maritime Museum, was attended by Thad Birmingham, mayor of Sturgeon Bay; Capt. Amy Cocanour, commander of Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan, and Capt. John Little, chief of staff of the Ninth Coast Guard District, as well as numerous local Coast Guard units.

24 Jul 2015

3 Rescued from Vessel on Sheboygan Breakwall

The Coast Guard and local agencies rescued three people after their 29-foot vessel ran up onto a breakwall ouside the Sheboygan River as they were heading into the Sheboygan Marina, Wednesday. The Coast Guard has not released the names of the passengers. Shortly after 9:30 p.m., a Watchstander at Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan received a call from a good Samaritan stating he had witnessed a vessel run into the breakwall. The Watchstander diverted a rescue crew from Coast Guard Station Sheboygan, already underway on routine patrol aboard a 45-foot response boat, to the scene. When the crew arrived, they found the boat resting high on the breakwall with the three people still aboard. None of the passengers was wearing a lifejacket.

16 Jun 2015

Update: Runaway Barges Recovered

Towing vessel Joyce Hale recovers one of two barges that drifted into piers of the Starved Rock Dam in Utica, Ill. The vessel was pushing eight barges of dry cargo on the Illinois River Sunday when four barges broke free. (USCG photo)

Two barges that drifted against piers of the Starved Rock Dam in Utica, Illinois Sunday afternoon have been safely recovered, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) reported. One of the barges, carrying corn, was recovered Sunday evening, while the second barge, carrying sand, was recovered Monday morning. The Joyce Hale, a 157-foot towing vessel, was pushing eight barges of dry cargo south on the Illinois River Sunday when two of the eight barges it was pushing made contact with the protection cells of the Starved Rock Lock and Dam.

15 Jun 2015

Barges Break Free, Hit Starved Rock Dam

U.S. Coast Guard photo

The U.S. Coast Guard is working the the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the owners of a tug and barges to quickly and safely move two barges that drifted into the protection walls of Starved Rock Lock and Dam in Utica, Illinois, Sunday afternoon. The Joyce Hale, a 157-foot towing vessel, was pushing eight barges of dry cargo south on the Illinois River when two of the eight barges it was pushing made contact with the protection walls of the Starved Rock Lock and Dam. As a result of the allision, four of the barges broke away from the vessel's tow wires.

23 Nov 2014

USCG Assist Duck Hunters Near Harrington Beach Park

The Coast Guard and the Port Washington and Cedar Grove Fire Departments came to the assistance of two duck hunters on Lake Michigan Friday. The names of those involved are not being released. A 911 dispatcher contacted Coast Guard Station Sheboygan  at 11:30 a.m. about two men whose 14-foot boat was taking on water one mile north and about one-quarter mile east of Harrington Beach State Park. The two hunters called 911 when their engine stalled and their boat began taking on water over the sides. Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan Command Center directed Stations Sheboygan and Milwaukee to launch crews aboard their 25-foot and 45-foot response boats respectively.

21 Oct 2014

Sunken Barge Salvage Stops Traffic on Chicago River

The U.S. Coast Guard said it is restricting vessel traffic on the Chicago River to allow for salvage of a sunken barge. All cargo has been removed from the sunken barge in the Chicago River between the Lake and Randolph Street bridges and divers are currently in the water to conduct a survey of the barge's hull. The barge has been secured so that a 50-foot clearance can allow for vessel traffic to transit. Once the divers complete their survey, the company intends to formulate a salvage plan to either move the barge to another location or lift it out of the water. Coast Guard assets are on scene to monitor vessel traffic while divers are in the water.

18 Sep 2014

USCG in Search of Missing Man in Lake Michigan

The Coast Guard is searching for a man who went missing on Lake Michigan, Tuesday. Missing is 48-year-old Joseph Kiehm from Milwaukee. Kiehm was last seen aboard his 26-foot white sailboat, the Wild Irish, at McKinley Marina in the Milwaukee Harbor between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., Tuesday. A search-and-rescue controller at Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan in Milwaukee received a phone call from Kiehm’s wife reporting him missing at noon Wednesday. A Coast Guard air crew aboard a C-130 Hercules airplane is currently searching. Coast Guard stations along the Lake Michigan coast are conducting checks with local marinas and partner law enforcement agencies. Kiehm is reported to have a marine radio aboard but has yet to answer any Coast Guard calls.

06 Sep 2014

USCG, Good Samaritan Rescue Boater on S. Lake Michigan

The Coast Guard and a good Samaritan found and rescued a man Saturday morning, who had been missing since Friday afternoon on lower Lake Michigan. The Coast Guard is not releasing the man’s name and there is no imagery of video available. At 6:25 p.m., Friday, a watchstander at Coast Guard Station Calumet Harbor in Chicago received notification from a woman reporting her husband missing in Lake Michigan. The wife reported that he was to sail in his 24-foot boat from Diversey Harbor in Chicago and arrive in New Buffalo, Michigan, at 4 p.m., but had not arrived or contacted her. The man did not have his cell phone or a marine radio aboard the boat, but did have a life jacket and emergency flares.

28 Aug 2014

Coast Guard Responds to Capsized Tug in Chicago

The 57-foot tug, Bonnie G. Selvick, rests in the Calumet River near the 106th Bridge in Chicago after capsizing Aug. 27, 2014.

The Coast Guard is responding to the capsizing of a tug on the Calumet River near the 106th St. Bridge in Chicago in which two crew members were able to escape and swim to shore. The Coast Guard is not releasing the names of those involved. Shortly after 7 p.m., two crew members on board the 57-foot tug, Bonnie G. Selvick, attempted to turn the vessel around while transiting south on the Calumet River. During the process, the vessel rolled over, began taking on water and sank within minutes. The two crew members escaped and swam to shore.

28 Aug 2014

Tugboat Capsizes Near 106th Bridge, Chicago

The Coast Guard informs it is responding to the capsize of a tug on the Calumet River near the 106th St. Bridge in Chicago, in which the two crew members were able to escape from the vessel and swim to shore. The 2-man crew of the 57-foot tug, Bonnie G. Selvick, attempted to turn the vessel around while transiting south on the Calumet River. During the process, the vessel rolled over, began taking on water and sank within minutes. The two crew members escaped and swam to shore. One of the crew member contacted watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan with a marine band radio on channel 16. Watchstanders directed the launch of a crew on board 25-foot response boat from Coast Guard Station Calumet Harbor.

15 Aug 2014

USCG Rescues 4 after Vessel Hits Breakwall

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) rescued four men after the 30-foot vessel they were aboard struck the breakwall on the north side of the Milwaukee Harbor entrance late Thursday evening. Just after 9:30 p.m., local time, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan in Milwaukee received notification from the Milwaukee Police Dispatch of a 30-foot vessel that had hit the Milwaukee Harbor outer breakwall with three possible injuries reported. Sector Lake Michigan directed the launch of a crew from Coast Guard Station Milwaukee, aboard a 45-foot response boat. The crew arrived on scene less than 15 minutes later and transported all four men to McKinley Marina, where they were met by waiting emergency medical services.

23 Jun 2014

Third Body Recovered from Cal-Sag Channel

Crews have recovered a third body, Monday, from a collision between a recreational vessel and a barge that occurred late Friday evening in the Cal-Sag Channel near Palos Hills, Illinois. At about 10 a.m., local time, a man's body was recovered about 1.5 miles west of the Worth Boat Launch. He was the last of the three victims recovered during the search. The man was not wearing a life jacket. The case began on Friday at about 11 p.m., local time, when a crewmember onboard the 66-foot uninspected towing vessel Bill Arnold notified watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan, in Milwaukee, of a collision with a 19-foot pleasure craft in the Cal-Sag Channel near mile marker 311.

21 Jun 2014

Search On FOR 3 In Cal-Sag Channel - USCG

The Coast Guard and local agencies are searching for at least three people in the Cal-Sag Channel near Palos Hills, Illinois, following a vessel collision late Friday evening. The names of the persons are not being released. Just before 11 p.m. local time, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan in Milwaukee were notified by the 66-foot UTV Bill Arnold of a collision with a 19-foot pleasure craft in the Cal-Sag Channel near mile marker 311. Sector Lake Michigan dispatched a boat crew from Coast Guard Station Calumet Harbor, Illinois, aboard a 25-foot response boat. They also requested a Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Facility Waukegan, Illinois, but aircrews have been unable to assist in the search due to fog.