TUG SINKS AT ST MARYS RAPIDS CONTROL STRUCTURE

["David Fay" <david_fay@pch.gc.ca>]

                                   INTERNATIONAL
                            LAKE SUPERIOR BOARD OF CONTROL
     
     
                                                                20 May 1997
     
     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
     
     
                   TUG SINKS AT ST MARYS RAPIDS CONTROL STRUCTURE
     
     On Monday, May 19, 1997 a tug boat sank at gate #8 of the control 
     structure at the head of the St Marys Rapids.  The tug is now lying on 
     its side with the bow lodged under gate #8. There were no injuries to 
     the crew.   The tug boat had been working upstream of the structure to 
     position the work barge being used to repair gates #11 and #12 on U.S. 
     side of the control structure.  Equipment is being brought onto the 
     site to remove the tug as soon as possible.
     
     To expedite the removal of the tug, gates #2 through #6 and #9 through 
     #16 were closed.  Gate # 8 is nearly fully open and gate # 7 is being 
     kept open so that the tug does not move further into gate #8.  Gate # 
     1 is also being kept fully open to maintain the flow and water level 
     in the Fishery Remedial Works channel.
     
     It is estimated that the flow in the St Marys River has been reduced 
     to a flow rate of about 2650 m3/s from the recommended May flow of 
     3200 m3/s as a result of this accident.  Most of the St Marys River 
     flow (about 2200 m3/s) passes through the U.S. and Canadian hydropower 
     plants.
     
     Further news releases on this situation will be issued as developments 
     occur.
     
     Mr. Doug Cuthbert, Environment Canada, Burlington, Ontario is the 
     Board Member for Canada.  Colonel James Van Epps, Commander, North 
     Central Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is the Board Member 
     for the United States.
     
     Additional information can be obtained from Mr. Peter Yee, Great Lakes 
     St.Lawrence Regulation Office, Environment Canada, Cornwall at (613) 
     938-5725 or by e-mail at Peter_Yee@pch.gc.ca. or from Mr. David 
     Schweiger, Great Lakes Hydraulics and Hydrology Branch,  Detroit 
     District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, at (313) 226-6440 or by e-mail 
     at david.l.schweiger@nce01.usace.army.mil
     
     For more information about the International Lake Superior Board of 
     control, see our Internet homepage at 
     http://sparky.nce.usace.army.mil/ijc/superior.html