Freighter Briefly Grounds in Columbia River
A 528-foot foreign freighter grounded in the Columbia River near Skamokawa, Wash. The Coast Guard and other response personnel were responding to the incident. The Motor Vessel Global Challenger grounded in the vicinity of Pillar Point Range at river mile 30 while transiting upriver on the Columbia River. There are 258,836 gallons of heavy oil and 56,339 gallons of diesel onboard. Vessel personnel are currently taking soundings of all fuel tanks. At this time, there is no pollution in the water. Personnel from Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Portland are en route to the scene to investigate the incident. Four commericial tug boats are also en route to attempt to re float the freighter at high tide on Friday morning.
Vessel Grounds in Columbia River
U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Portland is investigating the grounding the motor vessel Marine Chemist. The 671-ft. vessel ran aground on Cottonwood Island, which is located on the Washington side of the Columbia River, just east of Longview. The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the grounding. The St. Vincent flagged vessel was headed for India where it was to be scrapped. Coast Guard Auxiliary assets on scene reported no visible signs of pollution. The Coast Guard is communicating with all river traffic in the immediate vicinity. The Coast Guard has directed the master of the vessel to proceed to the nearest safe anchorage or berth once refloated for inspection to determine the seaworthiness of the vessel. Tugs were on scene working to refloat the vessel.
