An incapacitated Russian cargo ship that had lost power due
to mechanical failure after leaving the Port of Everett, Washington was towed
to the Port of Prince Rupert by a Foss Maritime tug on Oct. 20 after drifting
for nearly three days.
Foss Maritime’s oceangoing tug, the Barbara Foss, towed the Russian cargo vessel, Simushir, which lost power due to mechanical failure late on the
night of Oct. 16 off the west coast of Haida Gwaii, also known as the Queen
Charlotte Islands. The ship had recently left Everett on its way back to Russia
when a broken oil heater rendered the vessel disabled.
A Canadian Coast Guard vessel arrived at the scene last
Friday to tow the ship, but could not keep a tow line attached and the ship
again went adrift.
The Barbara Foss
was eventually called in and managed to tow the stranded ship to the Port of
Prince Rupert, BC early Monday morning, where two assist tugs and a pilot were
on hand to help the ship dock.
The Simushir,
which is roughly 443 feet long and was built in 1998, is owned by Russia-based
Sakhalin Shipping Co., commonly known as SASCO. According to SASCO, the vessel
was carrying about 400 tons of bunker oil, 298 containers filled with mining
equipment, and 50 tons of diesel fuel when it lost power.
The Simushir had
been traveling with a crew of 11, but officials said the vessel’s captain was
reported injured and had to be evacuated by helicopter to Haida Gwaii on Oct.
17. No further medical details were given.
