Recovery of sunken Michigan riverboat stalled due to environmental concerns

OSCODA TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Efforts to remove a sunken riverboat from a Michigan park have stalled.

The AuSable River Queen sank in the AuSable River in Iosco County’s Footsite Park on March 11, roughly a 90-minute drive north from Bay City.

UpNorthLive reported the boat is possibly lodged in mud and poses a risk of breaking apart, halting attempts by the EPA, EGLE and Consumers Energy to level and pump water from it.

The boat’s owner said they won’t be able to fully assess the damages until its paddlewheel is out of the water.

Environmental crews will remain at the scene as they search for new solutions. The park remains closed for the time being.