Update http://www.greatlakesboatingfederation.org/pressroom/?p=30

VonRiedel said the tug will be a total loss because water and ice infiltrated the vessel’s internal systems, destroying them. The hull might be reused.

VonRiedel said the Seneca had been in good working order but was being towed by the Susan Hoey to conserve fuel. Both boats were headed to Duluth. Zenith bought the 56-year-old Susan Hoey in November to replace the67-year-old Seneca.

While VonRiedel described the Seneca as a very sound, reliable boat, he said it was not built for Great Lakes use and would have required extensive structural work to improve its sight lines. Before the accident, he had been putting together a deal to sell the tug to a buyer in New Orleans.

The Seneca was Zenith’s first tug, when the company launched in 2001.

“It’s sad to see her go. That boat has a lot of sentimental value to it,” VonRiedel said. “It was a great tug. It never once broke down on me, and it was by far the prettiest tug in our fleet.”

Zenith now has three working tugs — the Susan Hoey, the Athena and the Sioux.

White said the Coast Guard will reassess recovery options after the weather system passes.

With winter bearing down, White said, “It could be a difficult scenario. Lake Superior can be pretty rough at this time of year.”