Tug, tanker collide in heavy seas

Two crewmembers sustained minor injuries late Saturday night in a collision in Rosario Strait between a tugboat and an oil tanker in heavy, stormy seas.

The tug, which was escorting the tanker through treacherous Rosario Strait, was rolled onto its side in the collision which happened southwest of Anacortes, but it did not capsize, said Petty Officer Craig Petersen with the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office in Seattle.

Cause of the accident and other details of the incident are still sketchy. The USCG Marine Safety Office is investigating why the collision happened.

There was no oil spilled in the incident. Petersen said the tug hit the tanker in the forepeak area of the bow, and there was no oil stored in that section of the vessel.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard report, the tug Sea King,owned by Crowley Marine, Inc. rolled onto its side, then righted itself. Two of the five crewmembers aboard the tug sustained minor injuries and needed to be taken to Islands Hospital in Anacortes.

While the tanker, the Allegiance,was not damaged, portions of the Sea King were flooded. On board pumps removed the water.

At the direction of the USCG, the Sea Kin, escorted by the USCG Orcas pollution control vessels, was towed to Anacortes for repairs. The tanker sustained no damage and other tugs escorted the vessel to port.

Petersen said the USCG does not yet have information on the exact location of the accident. It may have occurred in either San Juan or Island counties. The USCG also did not yet have information on wind speeds or the heaviness of the seas at the time of the accident.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.