Unexpected CO2 Discharge Claims Life of Traverse City Leader's Husband

The incident occurred during maintenance on a tugboat's fire suppression system.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The husband of a Traverse City deputy city manager was killed when a CO2 fire suppression system unexpectedly discharged aboard a tugboat docked in Ludington, Michigan. Emergency responders attempted life-saving measures, but the man passed away at a local hospital. The incident is under investigation by the Ludington Police Department.

Why it matters

The tragic accident has deeply impacted the Traverse City community, where the victim's wife serves as a high-ranking city official. The investigation aims to determine what caused the unexpected CO2 discharge and whether any safety protocols or equipment failures contributed to the fatality.

The details

The incident occurred on March 2, 2026, around 11:27 a.m. while the tugboat Undaunted, owned by Interlake Logistics Solutions, Inc., was docked in Ludington for winter maintenance. During work on the vessel's CO2 fire suppression system, the equipment unexpectedly discharged, fatally injuring the 52-year-old victim, Mark Allen. Emergency responders provided initial aid, but Allen was pronounced dead at the hospital.

  • The incident occurred on March 2, 2026, around 11:27 a.m.
  • Mark Allen was pronounced dead at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital.

The players

Deb Allen

The deputy city manager of Traverse City, whose husband, Mark Allen, was killed in the incident.

Benjamin Marentette

The city manager of Traverse City, who spoke about the tragedy's impact on city staff.

Interlake Logistics Solutions, Inc.

The company that owns the tugboat Undaunted, where the incident occurred.

Christopher Jones

The Ludington Police Chief who oversaw the initial department response.

Michael Haveman

The Ludington Police Captain who oversaw the initial department response.

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What they’re saying

“On behalf of the City of Traverse City, I will confirm that Deputy City Manager Deb Allen has experienced a family tragedy. Me — and the entire team's hearts are broken for Deb. We will not be confirming any details or providing information regarding the tragedy out of respect for her privacy.”

— Benjamin Marentette, City Manager

What’s next

The Ludington Police Department is currently investigating the circumstances of the CO2 discharge. Investigators are working with Interlake Logistics Solutions, Inc. to determine the cause of the unexpected activation of the fire suppression system.

The takeaway

This tragic accident highlights the importance of thorough safety protocols and proper maintenance of critical equipment, especially on vessels and in industrial settings. The investigation will aim to identify any potential failures or oversights that contributed to the fatality in order to prevent similar incidents in the future.