KODIAK, Alaska – The Coast Guard, state and local agencies responded to a report of people in the water after a crane on a barge overturned Thursday evening in Ward Cove near Ketchikan.
Ketchikan Police contacted Coast Guard Station Ketchikan requesting assistance searching for two people who reportedly fell overboard from the 150-foot barge Quartz Hill about 5:09 p.m. Alaska State Troopers also responded. The two people swam to and climbed aboard the tug attached to the barge prior to the Coast Guard Station Ketchikan 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew arriving on scene. There were no reports of injuries.
The barge crew was reportedly anchoring a buoy when the incident occurred and crewmembers jumped into the water to avoid the falling crane. Of the 75 gallons of diesel fuel that reportedly spilled from the crane, an unknown portion of the fuel reached the water.
Marine Safety Detachment Ketchikan and Station Ketchikan personnel applied sorbent material to soak up the spilled fuel on the water. The Southeast Alaska Petroleum Response Organization has resources on scene and has encircled the barge with containment boom.
Weather conditions on scene remain clear with light winds and calm seas.
The barge is owned and operated by Amak Towing. The Coast Guard is monitoring the response.
