Drifting Barge Strucks Pier 66 in Elliott Bay: Quick Action Prevents Disaster

A drifting barge struck Pier 66 in Elliott Bay on Thursday. According to David Cuerpo of the Seattle Fire Department, there were no reported injuries, and the evacuation orders were later cancelled.

Video Credit: KOMO News

At nearly 1:25 p.m., the Coast Guard received a report of an adrift fully loaded container barge travelling from Terminal 18 to Pier 66.

Captain Dan Krehbiel and the crew of “The Doc Maynard,” the King County Water Taxi, prevented a possible tragedy with immediate action.

Without the help of a tugboat, they could intercept the drifting barge and successfully direct it away from the Seattle Aquarium and the Great Wheel.

The damage Pier 66 sustained in the collision is still unknown. The barge was then taken over by three tugboats, which towed it to Terminal 115.

Cuerpo confirmed that the evacuation order for the Pier 66 buildings was lifted once the tugboats brought the barge under control.

To determine who is responsible and what conditions caused the barge to come loose, the Coast Guard and the Port of Seattle are performing inspections.

Reference- The Seattle Times

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