Coast Guard and Washington Department of Ecology Respond to Listing Barge Near Tacoma

Posted in Barge Accidents,Washington Maritime News on February 26, 2013

TACOMA, Wash. — Two government agencies, The Coast Guard and Washington Department of Ecology, responded to a listing barge in Commencement Bay near Tacoma, Washington on Sunday, Feb. 24, after receiving a report around 1:15 p.m. that a 250’ Amix Marine Services barge, from Canada, was listing and possibly taking on water. The barge had crushed cars on it and was listing. Reports say that an undetermined number of cars fell into the water and that a small but visible oil sheen also surrounded the barge.

A listing Barge in Tacoma, WA spills a load of cars into the water on February 25, 2013. Photo credit Q13.Fox.com

The DOE reported on the following Monday that eight to nine cars fell off the barge. A 25’ response boat crew was launched by Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound from Station Seattle to investigate, while WDE dispatched spill responders to the area. The barge was eventually stabilized, and oil booms were put in place to catch the excess oil. Crews prepared to recover the car batteries at the bottom of the bay.

Global Salvage and Diving was hired by Schnitzer Steel, which owned the items on the barge, to inspect the barge’s hull. Divers located a crack in the hull and were successful in making repairs and stabilizing the barge.

Sources:
Workboat Magazine
Q13 Fox Seattle Tacoma

Blog post by barge injury lawyer Gordon, Elias & Seely, LLP