Tugboat Carrying Diesel Fuel Sinks In Columbia River Near Umatilla Above McNary Dam
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Crews from multiple state agencies responded Monday to reports of a 38-foot tugboat that sank in the Columbia River.
According to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, the tugboat reportedly had 750 gallons of diesel on board.
Divers were able to locate the fuel hatch and determine that fuel was not actively leaking out of the hatch, according to Laura Gleim with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.
The tugboat was completely submerged 10 miles upriver of McNary Dam near Umatilla, Oregon.
@OregonDEQ, @EcologyWA, @EPAnorthwest responding to reports of a 38’ tug boat sinking in Columbia River ~10 miles upriver of McNary Dam near Umatilla. Tug reportedly has 750 gallons of diesel on board. Divers and environmental contractors on scene but are limited by high waves. pic.twitter.com/kEmngAe7mx
— OregonDEQ (@OregonDEQ) February 24, 2020
DEQ said Sunday’s strong wind gusts apparently blew the boat away from where it was moored, pushing it a quarter-mile upriver.
No one was on board and no injuries were reported.
The DEQ, along with crews and divers from the Washington Department of Ecology and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency were on the site late Monday afternoon.
NOTE: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of a name and to clarify the status of the fuel on board.
Copyright 2020 Oregon Public Broadcasting. To see more, visit opb.org
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