Workers try to salvage 1000-gallon propane tank from sunken barge in Duluth harbor

Workers are trying to salvage a 1,000-gallon propane tank from a 120-foot-long barge that sank in a Duluth harbor slip early today.

The tank is nearly full, said Petty Officer First Class Lauren Jorgensen, U.S. Coast Guard Ninth District spokeswoman.

“Right now the Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit is working with the owner and salvage companies to get the propane tank off the barge,” she said. “That is what they are focusing on now.”

The 106-year-old barge will have to be removed if it is a hazard to navigation, negatively affects the harbor in some way or if it is going to be causing pollution, Jorgensen said.

“At first look it doesn’t appear that the barge will meet any of those criteria,” she said. “The Marine Safety Office did mention that the owner told them that they plan to remove it.”

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