Tug boat and barge sink in Lake Huron spilling fuel, cause HAZMAT

July 19, 2012

LAKE PORT, Mich., (WXYZ) - A major HAZMAT situation is under way after a tug boat and barge sank in Lake Huron, spilling fuel.

The 110 ft. long barge and a tugboat named the Madison started taking on water around 4:30 a.m. when the weather took a sudden turn for the worse. It happened about two miles from shore in the Lakeport area.

According to the Coast Guard, both the barge and Madison were being pulled by another tug boat named the Drummond Islander II. Six workers were aboard the Drummond Islander II but were never in danger.

The barge was carrying between 1500 and 2000 gallons of diesel fuel in a tank that is now leaking into Lake Huron.

The Coast Guard and Marine Pollution Control have responded to the scene.

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