Vessel emergency near mouth of Columbia River

(Information on this site is considered to be accurate at the time of posting, but is subject to change as new information becomes available.)  

Thursday, 10/13/11 11:00AM

After staying 25 miles off the coast last night, the MV Edfu crossed the Columbia River bar earlier Thursday morning under its own power. 

The tugs Natoma and Pacific Explorer stayed with the vessel through the night and escorted the Edfu to the Port of Astoria, where it now moored.

No oil has been spilled.

The final U.S. destination for the vessel is still Kalama, Washington.

Ecology intends to board the vessel and will continue to work closely with the Coast Guard to determine why the Edfu lost power and propulsion.

Wednesday, 10/12/11 3:00 pm 

The MV Edfu has regained power and propulsion. The vessel is stable and there has been no spill. Ecology continues to work with the Coast Guard to monitor the vessel.

Earlier this afternoon, the Coast Guard issued an updated Captain of the Port order to help ensure the Edfu does not pose a maritime safety or oil spill risk. The new Coast Guard order requires the following actions:

• The vessel is authorized to pull up anchor and proceed offshore to a minimum of 25 nautical miles until directed by Coast Guard Sector Columbia River that they have been authorized to enter the port.
   
• Two tugs of adequate size and horsepower are required to be on station to tend to the vessel while anchored and / or located offshore of the Oregon coast in U.S. waters and in the Columbia River.
   
• The vessel’s Class Society must attend the vessel to verify satisfactory repairs and proper operation of the main engine. The class survey report must meet the Coast Guard’s satisfaction prior to the MV Edfu moving from its offshore location or receiving authorization to enter port.
   
• In addition, the MV Edfu will not be permitted to depart the Columbia River until a satisfactory examination has been conducted by a Coast Guard marine inspector.
   
• Once the Port State Control Office receives the class survey report and the Coast Guard is satisfied that appropriate repairs have been made, the Captain of the Port order will be rescinded.

The tugs Natoma and Pacific Explorer are still with the vessel. Why the Edfu lost power and propulsion remains under investigation.

Wednesday, 10/12/11 10:30 am 

Ecology and the Coast Guard are actively working with the agent and owners of the MV Edfu today.

We expect to have progress throughout today. The single-hulled bulk carrier held its position at anchor last night and remained approximately 9 miles southwest of Cape Disappointment near the mouth of the Columbia River.

The Edfu is anchored using 900 feet of anchor chain. The vessel is stable and there is no spill.

The Coast Guard swiftly issued a comprehensive Captain of the Port order late yesterday evening requiring the following actions be taken:

• Two tugs of adequate size and horsepower are required to be at station to tend to the vessel while anchored in its current position off the Oregon coast, in U.S. waters.
   
• The vessel’s Class Society must attend the vessel to verify satisfactory repairs and proper operation of the main engine. The class survey report must meet the satisfaction of the Coast Guard prior to the vessel departing its current location.
   
• Once the Port State Control Office receives the class survey report and the Coast Guard is satisfied that appropriate repairs have been made, the Captain of the Port order will be rescinded.

The ocean going tugs Natoma, owned by Sause Bros., and Pacific Explorer, owned by Foss Maritime, are now at the scene to assist the vessel.

Why the vessel lost propulsion is still under investigation.

Tuesday, 10/11/11 10:30 pm 

The U.S. Coast Guard and Wash. Dept. of Ecology are monitoring a 728 foot bulk carrier that lost propulsion nine miles west of Cape Disappointment, Tuesday.

The motor vessel Edfu has anchored and is holding its position in 17 mph winds and 13 foot seas.

The Coast Guard has offered assistance and is waiting for the crew Edfu to assess what repairs will entail. A Coast Guard MH-60 helicopter crew out of Coast Guard Air Station Astoria conducted an over flight Tuesday evening to assess the situation.

Tuesday, 10/11/11 2:30 pm 

The Washington Department of Ecology and U.S. Coast Guard  are responding to a 728 foot bulk carrier that has lost propulsion in the Pacific Ocean about nine miles west of Cape Disappointment, near the mouth of the Columbia River.  There is no cargo on board, but the vessel is carrying fuel oil (see Summary Information at right).

The MV Edfu lost propulsion this morning and is maintaining its position with its anchor. The Sause Brothers tug, Natoma, is on its way, with arrival estimated between 4 and 5pm depending on the Columbia River bar conditions.

It is raining lightly with southerly winds at 17 mph, a temperature about 58 degrees F, six foot waves, with swells up to 13 feet. The conditions are degrading with swells expected to build to 18 feet.

The vessel's fuel tanks have double bottoms. It was heading to Kalama, Washington, when it lost power. It was built in 1997 and is sailing under the flag of Egypt. It's last port was Busan, Korea. The carrier has only one anchor that has been dropped in an effort to keep the vessel from drifting to shore.

Cause of the vessel's propulsion failure is unknown at this time.

Photo: Hajo Schaefer, MarineTraffic.com