Crews continue operations for the Lake Erie sunken tanker barge Argo as Unified Command responders took advantage of a favorable weather window, Nov. 29, 2015. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Kurt Kollar, Ohio EPA)Crews continue operations for the Lake Erie sunken tanker barge Argo as Unified Command responders took advantage of a favorable weather window, Nov. 29, 2015. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Kurt Kollar, Ohio EPA)
Windsor

Sunken Barge Cleanup Complete (Gallery)

Salvage crews have wrapped up their cleanup of a tanker barge that sank in Lake Erie back in 1937.

The Argo sank in American waters off coast of Kelleys Island, Ohio.

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Second Class Lauren Laughlin says the cleanup was a joint effort involving the U.S. Coast Guard and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

"They worked in partnership with other federal, state, and local agencies ensuring that the safety of the responders and the public of Lake Erie's surrounding shores remained their highest priority throughout the response operations," says Laughlin.

A news release from the U.S. Coast Guard says a news report that came out at the time the barge Argo sank in 1937 estimated there were 100,000 gallons of crude oil and 100,000 gallos of benzol onboard, but the coast guard couldn't verify that.

Coast guard officials first noticed a leak from the barge at the end of October and had been working to remove a hazardous substance from the sunken ship since then.

There have been no reports of any injuries, impact to wildlife or pollution as a result of the leak.

A responder conducts air monitoring throughout lightering operations aboard a work barge at the sunken barge Argo site, Nov. 24, 2015. Precautions are taken to ensure crews are conducting operations in a safe working environment. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Kurt Kollar, Ohio EPA)A responder conducts air monitoring throughout lightering operations aboard a work barge at the sunken barge Argo site, Nov. 24, 2015. Precautions are taken to ensure crews are conducting operations in a safe working environment. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Kurt Kollar, Ohio EPA)

Crews continue operations for the Lake Erie sunken tanker barge Argo as Unified Command responders took advantage of a favorable weather window, Nov. 29, 2015. As weather allows, responders continued salvage operations hot-tapping and pumping the barge's tanks. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Kurt Kollar, Ohio EPA)Crews continue operations for the Lake Erie sunken tanker barge Argo as Unified Command responders took advantage of a favorable weather window, Nov. 29, 2015. As weather allows, responders continued salvage operations hot-tapping and pumping the barge's tanks. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Kurt Kollar, Ohio EPA)

Edward Primeau, an industrial hygienist with the Coast Guard Atlantic Strike Team,  collects a sample of water product mixture that was pumped from the sunken barge Argo during lighting operations, Nov. 24, 2015. Samples are collected while the product is being removed to identify the contents of the barge’s tanks. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Kurt Kollar, Ohio EPA)Edward Primeau, an industrial hygienist with the Coast Guard Atlantic Strike Team, collects a sample of water product mixture that was pumped from the sunken barge Argo during lighting operations, Nov. 24, 2015. Samples are collected while the product is being removed to identify the contents of the barge’s tanks. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Kurt Kollar, Ohio EPA)

Contractors conduct dive operations at the site of a sunken barge near the Kelley's Island Shoal in Lake Erie, Oct. 21, 2015. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Station Marblehead)Contractors conduct dive operations at the site of a sunken barge near the Kelley's Island Shoal in Lake Erie, Oct. 21, 2015. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Station Marblehead)

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