Tanker grounds in Columbia River after fuel pump fails

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The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:

(WARRENTON, Ore.) — The Coast Guard is responding to a vessel aground in the vicinity of Skamokawa, Wash., after the vessel Argent Cosmos lost the use of a fuel pump and ran aground at 6:28 a.m. Thursday.

There are no reports of pollution in the river, flooding aboard the vessel or injuries to crewmembers.

The Coast Guard was notified when the vessel began incident notifications. A Coast Guard air crew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Sector Columbia River conducted an over flight at 9 a.m. and reported no signs of pollution. A boat crew aboard a 29-foot response boat-small II from Station Cape Disappointment is en route to the vessel with a Sector Columbia River inspections team.

Argent Cosmos, a 557-foot Panamanian-flagged tanker, is loaded with 1.63 million gallons of ethanol and 6.65 million gallons of monoethylene glycol. It also has 458,074 gallons of high-sulfur oil and 99,064 gallons of low-sulfur oil aboard. The vessel was heading outbound after finishing a port call at Longview, Wash. Two tugs are on scene to assist the vessel as the water rises with the incoming tide.

Capt. Bill Timmons, commander Coast Guard Sector Columbia River and captain of the port, has placed a no-movement order on the vessel until Coast Guard inspectors ensure the safety of the environment and the crew aboard.

The Coast Guard is working with state and local partners during the incident.

By Professional Mariner Staff