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Salvage of tug has started

Operations to remove the 'Nova' from the Columbia River began on Feb 27. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality deployed a crane to lift the tug out of the water about 10 miles upriver from McNary Dam near Umatilla. The wheelhouse was removed separately because it was damaged when then the vessel sank. It was discovered underwater on Feb 24 around 9:30 a.m. The ship was holding 750 gallons of diesel fuel and approximately 50 gallons of lubricating oil when it went down. Divers plugged the vessel’s fuel vents and deployed a boom around it to catch any potential leaks. The tig has a 3-foot rupture in its hull, which has not affected any of the vessel’s fuel tanks. The rupture was presumed to be the result of damage the vessel sustained when it broke free of its moorings in heavy winds. A light oil sheen was observed on the river’s surface on Feb 25, which has been contained inside a boom. There have been no impacts to wildlife. The vessel will likely take several hours to be removed. The fuel tank has been secured and the risk of leaking was unlikely. Precautionary measures have been put in place. Report with photo: https://www.yaktrinews.com/sunken-tugboat-being-removed-from-columbia-river-by-crane/

Tug sank on Columbia River

The 'Nova' sank on the Columbia River near Umatilla with 750 gallons of diesel fuel aboard after it broke loose from its moorings on Feb 23, 2020 due to high winds. The vessel floated nearly a mile before sinking about 10 miles upriver of McNary Dam. No one was aboard at the time of the incident. Divers inspected the tug and discovered a 3-foot rupture in the hull, but the fuel tanks appeared to be intact. The fuel vents were plugged and the wreck was not actively leaking any fuel. The state was working with the Washington Department of Ecology and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to determine if any fuel had been released. At least 400 feet of containment boom were deployed around the vessel and on Feb 25 a light sheen was visible on the surface. The sheen was contained within the boom and responders were using absorbent pads to soak up any contaminants. Officials were conducting water quality tests around the sunken tug and 10 miles downstream at the site of the City of Hermiston’s public water supply intake, but there were no concerns of contamination. A barge and crane were expected to arrive late on Feb 26 or on Feb 27 to lift the vessel from the river bottom and take it to Vancouver. Officials were working with local tribes and the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office to craft a salvage plan that would prevent any disturbance or destruction of resources or artifacts in the area. Report with photo: https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/02/officials-work-to-contain-750-gallons-of-fuel-on-sunken-tugboat-in-columbia-river.html