Stories from the Seattle Times Blog
The 72-foot 1925 wooden tug, Iver, sank in the early morning Monday. The tug is moored at a dock on Salmon Bay, west of the Ballard Bridge and just east of the Ballard Locks. (Photo by Greg Gilbert / The Seattle Times)
Fuel spilled as tug sinks near Ballard Bridge
Posted by Jack Broom
Coast Guard and state Department of Ecology crews are on the scene of a 72-foot tug that sank near the Ballard Bridge this morning.
Booms and absorbent pads have been set around the tugboat Iver to reduce the spread of any fuel released. The boat was undergoing work at a dock along West Commodore Way, about halfway between the Ballard Bridge and the Ballard Locks.
There is a sheen on the water, but it’s not clear how many gallons spilled, said Coast Guard spokesman Petty Officer 1st Class David Mosley. Mosley said the tug’s fuel tanks hold 1,700 gallons when they are full, but it wasn’t immediately known how much fuel was aboard.
The Coast Guard was notified by the tug’s caretaker at about 7:30 a.m. The vessel is being remodeled to be used as a floating residence.
Coast Guard records list the owner of the 1925-vintage vessel as William Soderberg of Port Townsend.
A blog by Soderberg that tells about the project is at ourtugboat.blogspot.com
57-foot boat sinks at Lakewood Moorage dock
Posted by Colin Campbell
A 57-foot boat sank in 10 feet of water next to its dock at Lakewood Moorage, at 4500 Lake Washington Blvd. S., late Monday, according to the Seattle Fire Department.
No one was injured, and it’s not clear what caused the boat to sink, Fire Department spokesman Kyle Moore said. Firefighters got the call around 10:20 p.m.
Firefighters put booms around the boat to contain any fuel that might leak from it, Moore said. Seattle police and the Coast Guard will investigate the incident.
