Two Swim to Safety After Tug Capsizes and Sinks on Chicago’s Calumet River

The 57-foot tug, Bonnie G. Selvick, rests in the Calumet River near the 106th Bridge in Chicago after capsizing Aug. 27, 2014. U.S. Coast Guard Photo

Two crewmembers of a 57-foot tugboat were able to swim to shore after their vessel capsized and sank in the Calumet River near the 106th St. Bridge in Chicago on Wednesday.

The U.S. Coast Guard reports that the tug Bonnie G. Selvick capsized and sank during a turning maneuver while transiting south on the Calumet River. Luckily the two crewmembers were able to escape the vessel without injury and swim to shore as the tugboat rolled over and sank within minutes.

A statement from the Coast Guard late Wednesday said that crews were determining if the is any pollution as a result of the incident and initial reports indicated that the vessel was not blocking other vessel traffic in the river. A salvage crew was expected to arrive Thursday.

The Coast Guard did not release the names of those involved.

The incident is being investigated by the Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Chicago.

The Bonnie G. Selvick is owned and operated by Calumet River Fleeting, Inc. of Chicago.

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