Tug sinks at pier in Lake Washington Ship Canal

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

(SEATTLE) — The Coast Guard is responding to a tug that sank at Ballard Oil Co. pier in the Lake Washington Ship Canal near Ballard, Wash., on Thursday.

The 80-foot non-commercial tug Chief has a reported 620 gallons of diesel onboard with reports of light sheening.

Boom and sorbent pads have been placed around the sunken vessel to contain any further residual pollutants.

The Coast Guard Puget Sound Incident Management Division was informed of the sunken vessel by the Washington State National Response Center. Due to the amount of  fuel still on board Chief, IMD Puget Sound personnel activated the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund in the amount of $20,000 and contracted Global Diving and Salvage to assist with removing the fuel from the tug.

Removal of the fuel is scheduled to be completed Friday morning.

Sector Puget Sound personnel have responded to six vessels that have sunk at their moorings in the last month.

The owner of the tug will be responsible for further salvage and removal of the vessel.

By Professional Mariner Staff