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Category: Sank

Gate City

Gate City

Gate City
Photo: uscg

On January 10, the 123 foot long towboat Gate City sank on the Big Sandy River near Butler, West Virginia. The towboat had sunk at its moorings releasing some 1300 gallons of oil into the river. Authorities were alerted and dispatched a team to the scene. Booms were placed around the Gate City to contain the pollution. Some 800 gallons of oil was recovered from the river. Local water service was halted for several days due to the pollution.

Reports state a salvage team pumped the remaining oil off the towboat before the Gate City was refloated. No reports of injuries. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.

ARC Pascual de Andagoya

ARC Pascual de Andagoya

ARC Pascual de Andagoya
Photo: eltiempo.com

The Columbian naval tugboat ARC Pascual de Andagoya sank in the Pacific Ocean off the Columbian coast. The tug was in heavy seas when it suffered uncontrolled water ingress.  The crew tried to keep the vessel afloat, but the vessel became waterlogged. The crew sent out a distress call and abandoned ship into the tug’s life rafts before the ARC Pascual de Andagoya sank.

The six crew were rescued by the fishing vessel Conpe Malaga 3 who responded to the the tug’s distress call. A Columbian naval helicopter arrived a short time later and took the crew to the hospital in Bahía Málaga. No reports of injuries.

Reports state the Navy will plan to salvage the tug when conditions improve.

 

Ricky Robinson

Ricky Robinson

Ricky Robinson
Photo: towboatgallery.com

On December 8, the 66 foot long towboat Ricky Robinson sank on the Mississippi River off Mud Island near Memphis, Tennessee. It is unclear what caused the towboat to sink. The Coast Guard was notified and begun a search and rescue operation for the two people on board.  A search by local authorities and the Coast Guard were unable to locate the two crew.

However, authorities were able to find the Ricky Robinson which now rests on the bottom in 65 feet of water. The owners of the vessel state they will salvage the towboat. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.