LA PUSH, Wash. — The U.S. Coast Guard is working on a plan to tow in a loose barge after rescuing five people who were on board when it lost steering off the Washington coast Friday.
The Luther, a 130-foot commercial tugboat, lost steering about 4:10 p.m. while towing a 333-foot concrete barge about 10 miles off the coast of La Push. Facing poor weather conditions, the Luther began taking on water, and the crew disconnected the barge. The Luther stabilized and stayed afloat while waiting for help from the U.S. Coast Guard and other first responders.
During the incident, seas were 10 to 14 feet tall, and winds measured 45 knots, according to the Coast Guard.
While crews were setting up an emergency tow, the barge came close to the Luther and “threatened to collide,” according to the Coast Guard.
All crew members were transferred to a Coast Guard motor lifeboat. One crew member fell in the water during the rescue but was retrieved by lifeboat crew.
An emergency tugboat, the Lauren Foss, tried to tow the Luther, but a line fouled in one of the Lauren Foss’ props, and they had to return to shore. Another tow, the Atlantic Raven from the Canadian Coast Guard, arrived and was able to prevent the Luther from running aground a mile from shore. The Luther was then taken to Port Angeles.
After the rescue, the operation turned to bringing in the loose cement barge. As of Sunday, the Coast Guard said the barge was located about 5 miles west of Cape Alava and was stable. The Lauren Foss was expected to remain near the barge until a plan was approved to tow it in during a safe weather window.
The barge is carrying about 10,000 tons of cement mix and 1,200 gallons of diesel fuel from a generator, according to the Coast Guard.
Several agencies, including the Coast Guard, Makah Tribe and Washington State Department of Ecology established a unified command to address the pollution threat. No pollution has been observed, the Coast Guard said.