Barge Grounds in Lake Michigan

A tug towing two barges ran into rough seas, grounding one barge, while attempting to find a safe haven. The tug, Holly Ann, owned by Holly Marine in Chicago, was towing two empty barges from Muskegon, Mich., to Chicago when seas increased to 10-12 feet and the captain decided to head for safety. The tug lost propulsion and steering while it was making its way toward the Holland Channel. The tug and first barge drifted to the Lake Michigan contractors’ dock and tied up on the pier. The second barge hit the pier, which snapped the towline, and grounded at Holland State Beach. There was no pollution or injuries reported and no visible damage to the barges or tug. The Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment in Grand Haven conducted a towing safety exam and casualty inspection and found no damage to the tug.