Barge Capsizes, Spilling 4500 Tons of Scrap Metal off Columbia River

The scrap metal came free from the barge and fell to the bottom of the ocean.

Capsized 295-foot barge near Astoria, Oregon. Photos: U.S. Coast Guard

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The Coast Guard is responding to the capsizing of a barge approximately eight miles from the Columbia River bar near Astoria, Ore.

The crew of the 100-foot Canadian tug General Jackson contacted the Coast Guard to report their 295-foot barge had capsized at about 7:30 a.m.

A Coast Guard MH-60 helicopter crew from Group/Air Station Astoria and a 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from Station Cape Disappointment in Ilwaco, Wash., were sent to the scene.

The barge was loaded with 4500 tons of scrap metal and contains approximately 500 gallons of diesel fuel.

The Coast Guard says the scrap metal came free from the barge and fell to the bottom of the ocean.

The capsizing occurred in approximately 300 feet of water and weather on scene was calm.

The Coast Guard has contacted the vessel owner, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and the Washington Department of Ecology.

No injuries have been reported and a light sheen has been observed coming from the vessel.

A Coast Guard 47-foot motor lifeboat from Station Cape Disappointment, Wash., is seen approaching a capsized barge eight miles west of the Columbia River bar near Astoria, Ore., Tuesday, April 13, 2010. The barge capsized while being towed by the tug Gen. Jackson and was carrying a load of scrap metal and approximately 500 gallons of diesel fuel. No injuries were reported. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Group/Air Station Astoria.

The tug Gen. Jackson and a 47-foot motor lifeboat from Station Cape Disappointment, Wash., is seen at the site of its capsized barge eight miles west of Astoria, Ore., Tuesday, April 13, 2010. The barge was carrying a load of scrap metal and approximately 500 gallons of diesel fuel. No injuries were reported. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Group/Air Station Astoria.

Diesel fuel leaks from a capsized barge eight miles west of the Columbia River bar near Astoria, Ore., Tuesday, April 13, 2010. The barge capsized while being towed by the tug Gen. Jackson and was carrying a load of scrap metal and approximately 500 gallons of diesel fuel. No injuries were reported. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Group/Air Station Astoria.