Date: September 5, 2007 

Contact: Command Duty Officer, MSU Toledo
(419) 392-0328, phone

USCG INVESTIGATING TUG AND BARGE AFTER DEBRIS
FOUND LODGED IN VESSEL 

TOLEDO, Ohio - U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Toledo is conducting a marine casualty investigation on a tug-and-barge after the vessel turned over debris which was lodged in the vessel.

The tug and a connected barge, Cleveland Rocks, was transiting east on Lake Erie from Kelleys Island, Ohio, to Cleveland on Monday.  At 4 p.m., the 505-foot combined tug-and-barge reported, to Coast Guard Station Lorain, they found debris lodged between the tug boat and the barge.  The debris was removed by the crew and provided to the Coast Guard Marine Safety Office in Cleveland.

The tug-and-barge departed Cleveland, for the return trip to Kelleys Island, on Tuesday morning.

Marine Safety Unit Toledo contacted the tug-and-barge on Tuesday and notified them of the intent to further investigate the recovered debris.  MSU Toledo began their investigation Tuesday morning.

The investigation is on-going.  For an image of the tug and the connected barge "Cleveland Rocks", CLICK HERE. 

For any additional information, contact the Command Duty Officer, Marine Safety Unit Toledo, at (419) 392-0324.

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