Emergency Rescue Tug Called Upon to Assist Disabled Ship Off Washington Coast

The dedicated rescue tug, BARBARA FOSS, stationed at Neah Bay under contract with Washington State, was called upon to assist the VIRTUE, a grain ship adrift about 25 miles off the northern Washington coast. The VIRTUE was bound for Vancouver, British Columbia. The incident began on Tuesday, June 6, 2000 when the VIRTUE lost propulsion due to exhaust valve problems and began a slow drift north.

The U.S. Coast Guard required that the VIRTUE obtain "…a tug of a size suitable to achieve and maintain control…" after determining that the ship posed "…a substantial threat of discharge…." The BARBARA FOSS, got under way from Neah Bay to assist the VIRTUE at 0647, Wednesday, June 7, and arrived on scene at 0948. The BARBARA FOSS stood by while the VIRTUE’s crew continued to work on repairs near Latitude 48-11.15N, Longitude 125-19.38W. Weather conditions on scene were relatively good.

At about 1414 the VIRTUE re-started its engine, but intermittent failures continued as the ship, escorted by the BARBARA FOSS, made its way to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. At 2135, just inside the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the U.S. Coast Guard (in consultation with the Canadian Coast Guard) ordered the master of the VIRTUE to accept towing assistance. The VIRTUE was under tow by the BARBARA FOSS at 2210. The VIRTUE dropped anchor at Royal Roads, Victoria, British Columbia at 0705 on Thursday, June 8 with the assistance of an additional tug. The ship underwent repairs at Victoria, conducted sea trials, and proceeded to Vancouver, British Columbia for cargo. Additional main engine repairs were undertaken at Vancouver.

The VIRTUE, a 593-foot bulk cargo ship registered in Singapore, was reportedly carrying about 138,000 gallons of diesel oil as fuel. It was boarded by Washington state ship inspectors in 1997. Significantly, at the time of the boarding it was found to have no dedicated emergency towing gear aboard. Washington state inspectors recommended that the owner equip the ship "…with functional emergency towing equipment…" and "…ensure that crew members are trained to deploy the equipment…." It is not known whether the owners had taken that advice.

"We were in close contact with Foss Maritime during the BARBARA FOSS response" said Norm Davis, Ecology’s Puget Sound Marine Safety Field Office Supervisor, who has coordinated the stationing of the BARBARA FOSS at Neah Bay with the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, and Foss Maritime this year. "The Governor and Legislature have provided $1.65 million to Ecology to post a rescue tug at Neah Bay again next winter. We hope that we won’t have to use the rescue tug, but it’s good to know that the safety net is available," said Davis.

Link to PDF Copy of United States Coast Guard Administrative Order for this incident.

(Get free Adobe Reader software)