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13th Coast Guard District Public Affairs

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Photo Release

Date: October 11, 2011

Contact: 13th District Public Affairs

(206) 220-7237

Photo release: Barge St. Elias refloated, inspected, towed with escorts to Indian Island

SEATTLE - A dry-cargo barge is aground five miles southwest of Anacortes, Wash., in Rosario Strait, Oct. 10, 2011. The vessel ran over a navigation marker and ran aground on Belle Rock. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Sector Puget Sound, Wash.           SEATTLE - A dry-cargo barge is aground five miles southwest of Anacortes, Wash., in Rosario Strait, Oct. 10, 2011. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound Incident Management Division investigators and inspectors are on scene to evaluate the condition of the barge to determine if it is safe to move. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Sector Puget Sound, Wash.           SEATTLE - A dry-cargo barge is aground five miles southwest of Anacortes, Wash., in Rosario Strait, Oct. 10, 2011. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound Incident Management Division investigators and inspectors are on scene to evaluate the condition of the barge to determine if it is safe to move. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Port Angeles, Wash.

SEATTLE — The barge St. Elias, which ran aground five miles southwest of Anacortes, Wash., in Rosario Strait, Monday, was refloated, inspected and towed to Indian Island, Wash., Tuesday.

The hull of the 322-foot, dry-cargo barge was inspected by contracted divers from Global Diving & Salvage, who located a 10-foot by 10-foot hole in the forward starboard hold. The hole had a minor effect on stability of the vessel and draft readings indicated an insignificant change to the barge’s trim.

The barge is carrying thousands of pounds of explosives. The cargo remained stable throughout the incident. The Department of Ecology confirmed that a fuel tank on the barge’s deck had been emptied and contained only residual fuel.

Sector Puget Sound received a towing plan from Foss Maritime, who is in close coordination with the barge’s owner, Samson Tug & Barge, based in Sitka, Alaska. After thorough review, the plan was approved. The tug Delta Lindsey took the St. Elias in side tow to Indian Island, with the undamaged stern forward. The tug Henry Brusco assisted with the tow escort, along with the 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Swordfish, from Port Angeles, Wash.

St. Elias is currently moored at Indian Island.

“As I stated yesterday, this response, and the continued efforts, is a success in part to the combined work of several federal, state, local agencies and industry,” said Capt. Scott Ferguson, Commanding Officer of Sector Puget Sound. “We practice coordinated response exercises often so all agencies are prepared when real situations occur. This is an example of what we prepare for…and we were ready.”

CLICK HERE for the previous releases concerning the grounding of the St. Elias.

For more information, contact Chief Petty Officer Robert K. Lanier, 13th Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office, at (206) 220-7093. 

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