Owner of tug boat that sank near Kalama fined $12,000
Monday, September 8, 2008 7:01 PM PDT
By The Daily News
Printable version
E-mail this articleThe owner of a tug boat that sank in the Columbia River at Kalama in October has been fined $12,000 by the Washington Department of Ecology, the agency announced Monday.
The 55-foot White Salmon had been tied up and unattended for a period of time at RSG Lumber in Kalama when it sank on Oct. 17. A fisherman noticed the tug was under water and reported it to RSG employees, according to Ecology.
The tug is owned by SDS Lumber of Bingen, Wash.
Ecology and the Coast Guard were called to the scene and assisted the response and cleanup for several days. As a result of the sinking, 198 gallons of lubricating oil and diesel leaked into the Columbia River. Some of the diesel and oil was recovered during cleanup.
“Containing and cleaning up oil spills is a difficult and expensive task, which is why Ecology places so much emphasis on efforts to prevent spills from occurring,” Jim Sachet, regional Ecology spill response supervisor, said in a prepared statement. “This spill could have and should have been avoided.”
Ecology’s investigation found that a combination of factors led to the sinking: the seal on the rudder leaked water into the stern; the vessel was left unattended and a portable bilge pump was not on board; and a fracture in the hull above the waterline became submerged.
Sachet noted SDS Lumber was cooperative during the spill response and cleanup. However, Ecology determined SDS Lumber was negligent, which increased the penalty.
SDS Lumber will have 30 days to appeal the penalty, ask for Ecology to reconsider the evidence, or to pay the fine.
Atrucker wrote on Sep 8, 2008 10:08 PM:
Now do you get it JIBJAB 123 "
towboater wrote on Sep 9, 2008 7:10 AM:
The White Salmon was formerly the "Tonquin"...a log towboat. Low profile aft deck and ship swells may have contributed as well.
SDS takes very good care of their boats. I would be suprised if they dispute the fine or if this ever happens again. "
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