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Tag: La Push

Luther

Luther

Luther
Photo: USCG

On the afternoon of October 18, 2024 the 31.7 meter long, 158 gt tugboat Luther (IMO: 7427477) became disabled on the Pacific Ocean 10 miles off La Push, Washington. The Luther was towing a concrete barge when it suffered steering failure while in strong winds and waves.  The tugboat suffered water ingress as it drifted towards the shore.  Unable to fix the steering, the Luther contacted the Coast Guard requesting assistance.

The Coast Guard dispatched a 47-foot motor lifeboat and an emergency tug along with aircraft from the Air Station from Astoria, Washington.  The Coast Guard arrived on scene and found the Luther still afloat with the barge nearby, but the towline between the vessels had been disconnected. While setting up a towline to the Luther with the emergency tug, the barge nearly collided with the vessels prompting the Coast Guard to transfer the 5 crew of the Luther to another lifeboat.  The Coast Guard dispatched additional vessels which secured a towline to the Luther along with the concrete barge.  All the vessels proceeded to a safe harbor.  No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.

Captain John

Captain John

The 65 foot long fishing vessel Captain John sank off La Push, Washington. The fishing vessel alerted the Coast Guard that it was taking on water and the pumps on board were unable to keep up with the flooding. The Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter along with a 47 foot long motor lifeboat to the scene. The helicopter arrived on scene and advised the crew to abandon ship into the vessel’s life raft. The lifeboat was able to rescue all five crew from the liferaft and brought them to La Push.  No reports of injuries. The Captain John sank in 2000 feet of water with its cargo of 70,000 pounds of fish and 800 tons of fuel. A small oil sheen was spotted over the wreck. Authorities have launched an investigation.

Nellie M

Nellie M

The 35 foot long fishing vessel Nellie M sank while berthed on the Quillayute River at La Push, Washington. The vessel sank during the night with no one on board.  A sheen was reported around the sunken fishing vessel as 600 gallons of diesel fuel was on board at the time.  The harbormaster placed a boom around the site to contain the pollution released. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.