Ship Photos of The Day – Stephen L. Colby Salvage Gets Cold(er)

With temperatures dropping and a fresh blanket of snow, the Stephen L. Colby sits partially submerged in the Mississippi River near LeClaire, Iowa, while response crews continue to prepare the vessel for lifting operations, Sunday, December 8, 2013.

Efforts to contain and clean up oil discharged from the vessel have been ongoing since the 144-foot towboat struck a submerged object and partially sank close to shore on November 25 with approximately 100,000 gallons of oil onboard.

FULL COVAGE – Stephen L. Colby Incident

Below, Coast Guard and response supervisors discuss the next operational goals for salvaging the Stephen L. Colby, even as weather conditions deteriorated Sunday.

Cleanup crews continued to work through the cold and snow, with ice forming on the Mississippi River. Forecasts for Monday call for highs in the upper teens.

As night fell and temperatures dropped, response crews prepare and work to connect a sling to the bow of the towboat.

Photos courtesy U.S. Coast Guard