St. Marys Clean-up Completed

The Coast Guard has finished clean-up operations for a May 24 diesel fuel oil spill on the St. Marys River, it reported Friday, May 25.

The Joyce L. Vanekenvort made notification to the Coast Guard of discharging an estimated 200 to 300 gallons of diesel fuel into the Middle Neebish Channel of the river, during its upbound transit to Marquette to deliver a load of limestone. The fuel spill is the result of an overflow that occurred after the 835-foot integrated tug and barge completed an internal fuel transfer, near Light 39 in the channel. Shortly after the transfer, crewmembers noticed fuel on deck and determined that there was a discharge into the waterway.

Both U.S. and Canadian response teams cleaned up the area within about 10 hours to protect environmentally sensitive habitat along both countries' shorelines. Coast Guard helicopters and small boats conducted aerial and shoreline surveys of the effected area to confirm that there were no indications of residual effects on or along the Middle Neebish channel.

The Joyce L. Vanekenvort was released and continued its transit up the St. Marys River. The Cason J. Calloway was the only vessel affected by the temporary Safety Zone established by the Sault Ste. Marie Captain of the Port. The vessel remained at anchor in Munuscong Lake, six miles south of the affected area, for approximately four and half hours. The Middle Neebish channel is now open to all traffic bound for Lake Superior.

Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie Marine Inspectors are investigating the circumstances surrounding the discharge of diesel fuel into the St. Marys River.

Water quality concerns may be directed to the Chippewa County Environmental Health Department at (906) 635-3620. Anyone who has experienced property damage as a result of the spill may call (906) 466-9959.