Published: 11/16/2005

Drifting garbage barge sparks Lake Erie search

MARBLEHEAD, Ohio Coast Guard crews last night found an empty garbage barge that came loose from the tug taking it from Sandusky to Cleveland.

After an all-day search, it was found only miles away from where it left Sandusky.

The crew of the Karl R. Luedtke reported the 150-foot-long, 50-foot-wide metal barge missing about 3:30 a.m.

The Luedtke company, which worked with Coast Guard crews from Marblehead, Lorain, and Cleveland, found the barge about 6 p.m. only two to three miles from the Sandusky dock. It had run aground in shallow water.

The barge was one of two the tug was either towing or pushing. The tug backtracked along its path, but couldn t locate the missing barge.

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