Wednesday morning brought an unexpected scene off 31st Street Beach, as crews worked to recover a partially submerged boat just offshore. Tow vessels circled the area while a helicopter hovered above, and the hull was slowly pulled toward nearby 31st Street Harbor as people along the lakefront watched the operation unfold. Officials had not yet provided a full rundown of what happened during the recovery.
Video from NBC Chicago shows at least one TowBoatUS vessel towing what appears to be an underwater boat around 8 a.m. The outlet’s footage captures crews working just east of the harbor entrance while the vessel trails in the water and salvage work continues.
Coast Guard Says It May Be Linked To Weekend Sinking
The U.S. Coast Guard’s Great Lakes District told CBS Chicago the recovery is likely tied to a sinking reported Sunday, when a nearby good Samaritan pulled four people from the troubled boat. According to CBS Chicago, the Coast Guard also said it was not participating in Wednesday’s recovery operation.
Different Outlets Describe Who Handled The Lift
Chopper7 footage from ABC7 Chicago shows crews attaching and inflating flotation bags to lift the hull. The station reported the boat went down Sunday after heavy fog and rain overwhelmed its pumps, and that no injuries were reported. As ABC7 Chicago noted, the work on Wednesday was handled by tow and salvage crews rather than city first responders.
The Chicago Fire Department and Chicago Police Department told NBC Chicago they were not at the scene, and no other agencies immediately stepped forward to claim responsibility for the salvage. Authorities have not released information about the vessel’s owner or whether any pollution or other hazards were discovered.
Boating Safety Reminders
Small recreational boats can take on water quickly in fog or heavy rain, and boating-safety groups emphasize the need for working bilge pumps, life jackets and a clear plan for calling for help. TowBoatUS and similar organizations recommend carrying emergency gear and checking conditions before heading out, according to BoatUS.
This is a developing story, and updates are expected as officials release more information. Local agencies are anticipated to share additional details in the coming hours.
