Construction excavator found stuck in Lake Michigan
Sep. 2—On Wednesday evening, Ottawa County Emergency Management and other involved government agencies received a National Response Center report of a partially submerged and stuck construction excavator in Lake Michigan.
The excavator was found just off the beach in the 300 block of North Lakeshore Drive in Park Township, about a half-mile north of Tunnel Park. It was being used to facilitate the removal of a barge that had previously grounded near the shoreline.
The Park Township Fire Department was made aware of the situation and the U.S. Coast Guard responded to the scene. It was determined that the excavator was not actively leaking fluids into the water, said Lou Hunt, director of the county's Emergency Management department.
The Water Resources Division of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy has mandated that the excavator be removed and is working closely with its owner. The process of organizing the resources needed is underway, with its removal scheduled for Friday.
