LANSING, MI-- Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has filed a civil suit against an Escanaba company for breaking utility cables in the Straits of Mackinac.
Schuette says he was able to determine a ship owned by VanEnkevort Tug & Barge passed through the straits at the time the American Transmission Company lines were damaged and the Line 5 pipeline was dented.
The ship allegedly dragged an anchor across the lakebed and hit the submerged lines.
VanEnkevort could be forced to pay a $25,000 fine, along with costs related to damages, inspection, and court costs. The suit also seeks to require the company to implement measures to ensure such an incident doesn’t happen again.
VanEnkevort has released the following statement:
"VanEnkevort Tug & Barge confirms they are actively engaged with the Coast Guard in an investigation into an incident that occurred in the Straits of Mackinac.
"An underwater power cable was reported to be damaged on April 1st and a tug and one of our barges were among several vessels which transited the area.
"We are fully participating with all relevant authorities as they conduct the investigation.
"Due to the ongoing investigation it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time."
Darrell Wilson
VanEnkevort spokesman
