Tugboat Sinks in Duncan Bay, Diesel Leaks

Cheboygan, MI -- The Coast Guard is working to find out what caused a tugboat to sink in a Cheboygan Bay and leak diesel fuel.

The boat sunk in Duncan Bay, just outside of Cheboygan. The boat that sunk Sunday morning was tethered to a boat that was listing toward the water.

The Coast Guard’s first priority is to contain the leak to minimize the environmental damage. On the shore there is a sheen from the diesel that leaked from the sunken boat.

The boats were first anchored in the bay Tuesday of last week, and Sunday morning, people living along the bay, woke up to the overpowering smell of diesel.

A boom has been set to contain leaking fuel. The Coast Guard has hired contractors to devise a plan to remove pollutants from the vessel.

Officials estimate that 75% of the diesel has been recovered. Crews have capped off the vessel's fuel vents to prevent further oil leakage.