SEATTLE - The U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Puget Sound monitored the retrieval of an empty oil barge after the towing line connecting it to a tugboat separated.
At approximately 2 p.m. the Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service Puget Sound received notification that the oil barge Dottie was separated from its tugboat the Ernest Campbell. The Coast Guard contacted the Foss Maritime Tug Barbara Foss, a rescue tug located at Neah Bay, WA, to assist. Ernest Campbell re-established the tow at approximately 4:30 p.m.
The tug and tow are inbound in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, enroute to Port Angeles. The Barbara Foss is escorting the tug and tow.
Weather conditions and sea conditions were reported to be 20-40 knot winds from the southeast, 15-20 foot seas, and unlimited visibility. The weather and sea conditions have improved since the incident.
The cause of the incident is under investigation by the Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Puget Sound.
For more information, contact LT Aaron Meadows-Hills, USCG Marine Safety Office Puget Sound, at (206) 217-6231.
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The Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the Department of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and security of America.
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