Barge runs aground-3 saved by USCG

During the early morning of October 2nd 2010, during high waves and winds, a work barge and tug boat ran aground in Lake Michigan, just 100 yards off the Chicago northern suburb of Glencoe Illinois. As their tug boat and barge were being battered by high waves, the captain and two crew members had to be airlifted to safety by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter.

According to a member of the Coast Guard who was assessing the situation, the captain was transiting the waters off Glencoe Illinois when the barge ran aground on a shoal. While making attempts to pull the barge off, the tug boat also ran aground. The Coast Guard was called by the captain as soon as he noticed both vessels were taking on water. The Coast Guard dispatched a rescue helicopter who airlifted the captain and two crew members to safety. There were no reported injuries.

This particular shoal is well know by local recreational boaters as being a hazard to navigation. The surrounding water is twenty feet deep but rises quickly to just two feet.

"The owner of the vessels was contacted and will make arrangements to remove the stranded barge and tug boat," said the Coast Guard member. "The owner is fully aware that he is responsible for any environmental impact and will take immediate steps to prevent such damage as soon at the weather clears.

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