According to the U.S. Coast Guard, a small container feeder has lost power in rough weather conditions off the coast of Marin County, California.
The feeder left Oakland on the morning of April 8 and got under way on a return voyage to Asia. The Coast Guard Sector San Francisco was informed that the containership was experiencing engine problems at a position 12 miles offshore.
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The captain reported that the vessel could not anchor and that it was drifting closer and closer to shore. For this reason, many tugs were deployed in order to assists the feeder. As described, a Coast Guard C-27J Spartan and MH-65 Dolphin helicopter were sent to monitor the scene.
The containership finally anchored overnight with both part and starboard anchors deployed. It ended up at a position about 7 miles offshore. The weather was rough and the tugs have been unable to deploy lines to tow the ship.
The feeder has about 39,000 gallons of fuel on board and about 780 containers of miscellaneous merchandise.
On Sunday, the feeder got under way again to return to San Francisco Bay. The weather conditions enabled the tug Delta Deanna to pass a tow lined to the feeder’s crew. It was finally towed back to a safe anchorage in San Francisco Bay.
The U.S. Coast Guard has ordered her to remain there until repairs have been completed and verified. No injuries or pollution have been reported.
