On May 28, 2022, at approximately 1630 hrs, a pleasure craft exploded, caught fire, and sank at the Spring Brook Marina located on the Illinois River in Seneca, Illinois. According to press reports, 17 people were injured and transported to local and regional hospitals. The incident resulted in the release of fuel and oil to the Illinois River at MM 252.
USCG MSU Chicago and EPA responded to the incident along with several other state and local agencies. EPA conducted air monitoring, and absorbent boom was placed around the sunken vessel to minimize impacts to the river by a contractor to the marina. EPA conducted oversight and air monitoring during the subsequent marine salvage and removal operation on May 29, 2022 to ensure protection of human health and the environment around the marina, which was crowded during the holiday weekend.
