Classification
- Incident Type: Sinking
- Severity: Medium
Vessel Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | MADISON |
| Vessel Type | Tug |
| Flag State | United States [US] |
| IMO Number | |
| Gross Tonnage | |
| LOA (m) | |
| Other involved vessels | ARTHUR J; DRUMMOND ISLANDER II |
Incident Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | 2012-07-19 |
| Location | Lake Huron near Lakeport State Park, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 43.0800, -82.4800 |
| Region | United States |
| Fatalities | |
| Injuries | |
| Missing | |
| Direct Damage | Both vessels sank; MADISON was dewatered and salvaged, and ARTHUR J was refloated after temporary hull repairs. |
| Economic Damage |
Key facts
- Sector Detroit was notified on 19 July 2012 that the 110-foot dredge barge ARTHUR J and tug tender MADISON had sunk in Lake Huron near Lakeport State Park.
- ARTHUR J was partially submerged in about 26 feet of water, with MADISON still moored to it and capsized.
- DRUMMOND ISLANDER II had been towing the pair toward Pt. Mouillee when ARTHUR J began to list and the towing tug released the tow to investigate.
- The report lists 8,000 gallons as the total potential fuel discharge, with 1,600 gallons of diesel and 150 gallons of motor oil reported onboard.
- MADISON was dewatered and salvaged. ARTHUR J was refloated on 30 July after divers found and temporarily repaired a four-inch fracture in its forward port hull bottom.
Narrative
On 19 July 2012, DRUMMOND ISLANDER II notified Sector Detroit that the 110-foot dredge barge ARTHUR J and tug tender MADISON had sunk in Lake Huron near Lakeport State Park. The vessels were being moved toward Pt. Mouillee when ARTHUR J began to list. The towing tug released the tow to investigate, but the barge sank rapidly in about 26 feet of water. MADISON, still moored to ARTHUR J, capsized and was pulled down with it.
The owner hired Marine Pollution Control as the pollution response organization and hired Ryba Marine and John Wellington for salvage work. The USCG, Michigan agencies, St. Clair County responders, and Canadian agencies coordinated the response. An 800-foot hard boom was placed around the vessels, a safety zone was established, and an incident command post operated from Coast Guard Station Port Huron. The report identified 8,000 gallons as the total potential fuel discharge, including 1,600 gallons of diesel and 150 gallons of motor oil reported onboard.
During 20 to 23 July, crews removed 3,400 gallons of oily water and 625 gallons of diesel from ARTHUR J, while MADISON was dewatered, salvaged, and taken to the Blue Water Aggregate facility. A further 540 gallons of diesel and hydraulic fuel were removed during the following days. ARTHUR J was refloated on 30 July after its spuds were removed. Divers found a four-inch fracture in the forward port hull bottom, made temporary repairs, and the barge was towed to Malcolm Marine for repairs.
The reviewed report documents the response and salvage operation but does not establish a confirmed cause for the initial listing and sinking. It also does not provide a casualty count.
Sequence of events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2012-07-19 | ARTHUR J listed and sank in Lake Huron; moored MADISON capsized and was pulled down. |
| 2012-07-20 to 2012-07-23 | Pollution assessment, salvage attempts, fuel removal, and MADISON's dewatering and recovery took place. |
| 2012-07-24 to 2012-07-27 | Additional diesel and hydraulic fuel were removed, debris was collected, and the barge remained largely submerged. |
| 2012-07-27 to 2012-07-31 | Spuds were removed, ARTHUR J was refloated on 30 July, its hull was temporarily repaired, and it was towed for repairs. |
Investigation
The available United States Coast Guard report is an incident response and salvage case study. It records the pollution response, interagency coordination, and recovery work, but the reviewed material does not identify a confirmed initiating cause or casualty count.
References
- USCG Arthur J and Madison incident report
- USCG Arthur J incident source record