R/V Halcyon; Muskegon, Michigan

Muskegon, Michigan | 1996-Dec-03

Initial Notification: On December 2, 1996, the NOAA research vessel (R/V) Halcyon sank at the West Michigan Dock and Market Pier in Muskegon, Michigan in approximately 30 feet of water. The 60-foot Halcyon, owned and operated by the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL), had 2,400 gallons of diesel and four 55-gallon drums of antifreeze and waste oil onboard when she sank. The drums floated off the vessel, remained in the slip area, and were recovered. It was presumed that fuel was leaking out of the fuel-tank vents because silver and rainbow sheens were observed in the area. Containment boom was deployed around the vessel on December 3. No sheens were observed beyond the immediate slip area throughout the incident. USCG district 9. Keyword: containment boom, potential, sorbent boom.