On March 21, 2005, Barge Millicoma ran aground near the mouth of the Columbia River off the coast of Washington state. The 350-foot barge broke loose from a tugboat towline in bad weather on the Columbia River bar. After two days, the ship was refloated and transported to Astoria, Ore., without incident.
Photo: NOAA
This incident was my first response as a Pollution Investigator, training to be a Federal On-Scene Coordinator Representative for the US Coast Guard. It was a great incident to get my "feet wet", and I remember every aspect of this response to this day. Thanks to Lucia Mack for guiding me on this and many other incidents.
Our biggest issue was getting down the cliff at the North Head Lighthouse, Ilwaco, WA. Thankfully, this incident was resolved without releasing any of the diesel fuel stored in a day tank on deck.
