Loaded with fuel oil, the barge left Toledo, Ohio, on December 1 to proceed to the home port of Cleveland.

Cleveco and the dedicated tug pulling the barge, Admiral, with a crew of 14, passed through the Pelee Passage in western Lake Erie, facing worsening gale conditions.

[2] In the predawn morning hours of December 2, only a few miles from safety, the Cleveco discovered that its tug had suddenly sunk with all hands.

Furthermore, the Coast Guard cutter was not able to rescue the barge's personnel within the conditions created by the storm, which included a harsh west wind and lake effect snow.

[1][2] The Coast Guard's dilemma may have been worsened by the drifting status of the Cleveco during the attempted rescue hours of the December 2 daylight.