On Tuesday an American crew managed to float the dredge barge Arthur J, which sunk on Lake Huron two weeks ago. Removal of the barge was delayed several times by high winds and choppy waves.
There was concern about the 6,700 litres of fuel that began leaking from the 30-meter barge when it sunk. While no diesel reached nearby Sarnia, the city’s mayor was unimpressed at how long it took for American authorities to notify their Canadian counterparts.
The barge has been removed from the water and cleanup crews are currently on the scene ensuring that beaches in Michigan and St. Clair County have been sufficiently cleaned up. Booms were set up shortly after the sinking to protect the coastline, but fuel did reach the Michigan side of the lake.
