TOM BUSSLER

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Latest news

Tug raised two weeks after sinking

The U.S. Coast Guard raised the "Tom Bussler" which had sunk near the Kentucky Lock and Dam on the Tennessee River in the night of Jan 18. The wreck was lifted out of the river without any issues. When the tug sank, its two crew members were rescued and taken to Lourdes hospital in Paducah. The "Tom Bussler" had 410 gallons of diesel on board but there were no reports of an oil leak. The sinking was still under investigation.

Tug sank, crew safe

The "Tom Bussler" sank on Jan 7, 2019, at 9.15 p.m. on the Tennessee River at river mile 15 in Calvert City. Two men were on board when the tug sank near Arkema and Bailey Port. The tug "George Leavell" recovered the two crewmembers who were on board and transferred them to Calvert City Landing where they were transported to Lourdes Hospital in Paducah, Kentucky as a precaution, because they were in the water at least 20 minutes before they were rescued. The "Tom Bussler" had approximately 4,100 gallons of diesel on board. There have been no reports of oil sheening in the water. A Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Paducah 29-foot Response Boat-Small boatcrew was on scene. The Kentucky Lock and Dam at mile marker 22 on the Tennessee River has ceased locking operations due to the sunken vessel. The McGinnish Marine will develop a salvage plan for the vessel. Also the Calvert City Fire Department and rescue squad crews responded to the scene, as well as county EMS and emergency management.