Efforts to refloat a partially submerged barge in West Grand Traverse Bay started Friday. The barge sank November 30th, about 100 yards from shore.
The U.S. Coast Guard says the vessel still has 40 gallons of oil and diesel fuel on board but it’s not leaking into the water.“The sheen that’s in the water, we believe, is residual from the deck of the barge itself,” says Lt. Barton Nanney.
“At this time, we’re not currently concerned about that 40 gallons.”
Several containment booms have been placed around the barge.
There's no timeline on when the project might be completed, but the Coast Guard is working with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy and the owner of the vessel to mitigate damage to the environment.
It’s unknown why the barge sank in the first place.
