Identification & Site Information

  • Name: ROBERT
  • Type: Steel-hulled propeller fish Tug
  • Length: ~50 ft (approx. 15 m)
  • Final Voyage Date: September 26, 1982
  • Location: Lake Erie, about 5 mi (8 km) off Erieau, Ontario
  • Cause of Loss: Collision with fish Tug B. M. CABRAL during net-setting operations
  • Cargo/Function: Fishing operations
  • Casualties: None; 4 crew members transferred safely to B. M. CABRAL without injury (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)

Vessel Description

A modest, steel-hulled fish Tug powered by a propeller—approximately 50 ft long—used in commercial fishing on Lake Erie. Operated by S. Aikens from Blenheim, Ontario.

History & Final Voyage

On September 26, 1982, while setting fishing nets, ROBERT collided with the fish Tug B. M. CABRAL, which was reportedly on autopilot with no one at the helm. Following the collision, ROBERT sank rapidly. The four-person crew boarded CABRAL directly, remaining dry and unharmed (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com).

Final Disposition

The vessel sank approximately 5 mi off Erieau, Ontario. No dive site or salvage operations are documented. The wreck remains in situ, but its precise location, depth, and condition are not officially recorded.

Located By & Date Found

No formal rediscovery has been reported; sinking location and circumstances derive from historical records. The wreck has not been surveyed or marked for navigation or diving.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No Notices to Mariners or navigation warnings were issued. Given the vessel sank in shallow open water, it poses minimal hazard and is unmarked.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The ROBERT was a small steel-hulled fish Tug lost on 26 September 1982 following a collision with the B. M. CABRAL during fishing operations on Lake Erie. No lives were lost; the vessel sank swiftly, ending its service in commercial fishing. The precise wreck site remains uncharted, offering potential interest to maritime historians but limited recreational or diving relevance.