SEATTLE — A barge drifted away and made contact with Pier 66 in Elliott Bay on Thursday afternoon, but authorities said there were no injuries in the incident.
The United States Coast Guard was notified of a 300-foot container barge that drifted from Terminal 18 at the Port of Seattle toward Pier 66 in Elliott Bay. The Coast Guard said in a tweet that three tug boats regained control of the barge and placed it in tow where it is being moved to Terminal 115.
"The Coast Guard was notified at 1:25 p.m. yesterday that the vessel was adrift. At 1:35 p.m. the tug boats were on scene,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class William Kirk.
Kirk says about two minutes later, the barge crashed into Pier 66. The pier was damaged in the incident, but the extent of the damage was not released.
"I think it just looked bigger than a boat is supposed to be right here. I think that is what caught my eye,” said witness Megan Blunda. "I was really struck by the fact that it was really wiggling a lot, it was super windy, and it seemed like it was kind of bumping into that little wall."
The Port of Seattle said in a tweet that there were no injuries or impacts to maritime operations.
A King County Water Taxi, known as The Doc Maynard, was traveling to Pier 50 from Seacrest Dock in West Seattle at about 1 p.m. when the crew noticed a fully loaded container barge "dangerously adrift" from Pier 18 near Harbor Island and headed across Elliott Bay, according to King County Metro.
King County Metro said the water taxi crew did not see a tug next to the barge, so they moved to intercept the vessel, which was moving toward the Great Wheel and the Seattle Aquarium. The crew tried to push the barge away from the heart of the Seattle Waterfront.
Captain Dan Krehbiel used the water taxi's bow to push and direct the barge north, where it landed near Pier 66. Tugs arrived to pin the ship to the terminal until the barge owner could arrange its transport, King County Metro said in a statement.
King County Metro General Manager Michelle Allison praised the actions of Capt. Krehbiel, the crew and the Doc Maynard.
“We’re very proud of our captain and crew,” said Allison. “They recognized the danger this loose barge represented and then took quick action to protect people and the busy Seattle waterfront.”
The water taxi was not damaged, but service was delayed by 15 minutes.
The Seattle Fire Department initially told land-based crews to evacuate potentially impacted buildings, but the agency canceled evacuation efforts once several tugboats arrived to secure the barge.
Alaska Marine Lines is responsible for the barge, and provided the following statement:
"On Thursday afternoon the Pacific Trader barge came loose from its mooring on Harbor Island. High winds pushed it across Elliott Bay and it made contact with Pier 66. Tugs were quickly able to retrieve the barge and it is safely secured. The barge was loaded with empty containers. No injuries were reported, and it is expected only minor damage occurred."
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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