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.