photo by Chad Noetzel

Efforts to recover a dredge barge and a tug that sank Thursday in Lake Huron about two miles east of Lakeport continue.  Coast Guard flights over the site showed an area of uncontained oil sheen some 500 yards southeast of the of the Arthur J dredge barge.  Officials believe a pocket of oil escaped during salvage operations. The tug was able to be raised, however crews could not raise the barge from the lake.  A larger crane will be needed to continue the salvage operation.  When the tug was raised, a hole was found near the stern.  A steel plate was welded over the hold to allow the tug to refloat.  All local beaches have reopened to swimmers.