On March 15, a barge collided with docks and homes near the seaside town of Gig Harbor, Washington. Initial information reports that the captain of the tug fell asleep while on watch.
More specifially, watchstanders at Sector Puget Sound received notice from the county emergency dispatch service that an unmanned gravel barge, collided with several privately-owned docks and residences.
During the collission the barge was empty, and it was pulled free by the tug. Neither the tug nor the barge reported serious damages, returning to Seattle for investigation.
Moreover, no injuries or pollution were reported, with USCG classifying the collision as a serious marine incident. The initial damage is estimated to be more than $250,000.
Additionally, USCG reports that the vessel operator has conducted drug and alcohol testing for all of the personnel directly involved in the incident.
Commenting on the accident, Cmdr. Nathan Menefee, Chief of Prevention at Sector Puget Sound, said that sector Puget Sound will investigate the incident to determine the cause and whether additional actions are necessary to prevent a similar incident in the future.
