On Wednesday 10th June, 2020 around 1230 hrs the US Coast Guard Sector Sault Sainte Marie Command Center received notification that the 302 feet long tanker barge PML 2501 towed by ANGLIAN LADY went aground in the lower St. Marys River, near Sweets Point.
PML 2501 is carrying 3,622 metric tons of coal tar and approximately 6,340 gallons of diesel fuel. Their last port of call was Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario enroute to Burns Harbor, Indiana. There are no reports of injuries or pollution and the vessel is not impeding navigation in the federal channel of the St. Marys River.
The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone around the navigable waters of the tug and barge. All vessels are requested to remain 500 yards away from the tug and barge. Coast Guard marine casualty investigators and pollution responders are investigating the grounding. The cause of grounding is under investigation. The red X in the below graphic represents the approximate position of the aground barge.
The tanker barge PML 2501 was built as Hull 36 in Houma, Louisiana, USA as CTCO 2505 in 1980 with 302′ long by 52′ wide by 17′ deep.
After 16 years of service, the barge was sold to Purvis Marine Limited in 1996 and taken to Bayship at Sturgeon Bay, WS. There the vessel received a double hull to meet pending environmental standards for tankers and the ship was re-registered in Canada as PML 2501 (C818823). She arrived at Sault Ste. Marine on Dec. 22, 1996, for winter work including the addition of a deckhouse and heating equipment. Her maiden voyage started on 1st April 1997, with considerable service cruising the Great Lakes hauling chemicals or petroleum products and is frequently pushed by tug ANGLIAN LADY.
ANGLIAN LADY was built in UK by J. I. Thornycroft & Co. of Southampton, England, as Hull 4151 in 1953 as the HAMTUN where she operated for the Southampton, Isle of Wight and South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. from 1953 to 1972. She was sold to Union de Remorquage et de Salvage S.A. (URS) of Belgium and sailed as NATHALIE LETZER trading until 1987. She joined Klyne Tugs Ltd and renamed as ANGLIAN LADY. In 1988 she was sold to Purvis Marine Ltd. and registered in Canada with the official number of (C706139).
Featured photos are by our correspondent Mr. Nathan Attard. Do not use these images without my permission. © All rights reserved. Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos –www.maltashipphotos.com
Published – Monday 15th June, 2020
