MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif. – The Coast Guard safely escorted a U.S. Army watercraft to Humboldt Bay after it started flooding on Monday night.
Army vessel Monterey (LCU-2030) started taking on water at approximately 11:30 p.m., Monday south of Cape Mendocino, Calif.
The Monterey, a 170-foot landing craft, was traveling from Vallejo, Calif. to Tacoma, Wash. The Coast Guard deployed a 47-foot Motor Life Boat from Station Noyo River to the scene. The MLB was the first Coast Guard asset on scene. It was soon joined by the Coast Guard Cutter Aspen, a buoy tender based in San Francisco Bay, on its way to Humboldt Bay. The Aspen relieved the MLB and assumed escort duties. At 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, the Coast Guard Cutter Barracuda, homeported in Samoa, Calif., arrived and escorted the Monterey to Humboldt Bay.
The Army crew was able to contain their flooding, and they required no assistance from the Coast Guard other than an escort.
The Barracuda and a MLB from Station Humboldt Bay escorted the Monterey into Humboldt Bay where it was moored safely at 5:12 p.m.
