Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: ROBERT
- Type: Steel-hulled propeller fish tug
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length ~50 ft (approx. 15 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Lake Erie, about 5 mi (8 km) off Erieau, Ontario
- Original Owners: S. Aikens from Blenheim, Ontario
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Steel-hulled propeller fish tug used in commercial fishing operations.
Description
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
History
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.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- Collision with fish tug B. M. CABRAL during net-setting operations.
- No casualties; all crew members transferred safely to B. M. CABRAL without injury.
Final Disposition
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.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
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.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”robert” title=”References & 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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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