WARRENTON, Ore. — The Coast Guard is continuing to work with the owner of the fishing vessel Titan in the ongoing salvage efforts of the vessel.
The fishing vessel remains in a sensitive area near the navigation channels of the Columbia River, and crews are working to ensure the partially submerged vessel does not drift and impact the waterway.
“This is a dynamic situation with the vessel actively shifting with the tides and river currents,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Mike Rushane, a Coast Guard Sector Columbia River responder. “We are asking that all mariners actively monitor VHF-FM radio channel 16 for up-to-date notices about the situation and to use caution while transiting the area.”
The fishing vessel Titan ran aground on a jetty near Ilwaco, Washington, on the north side of the Columbia River and then partially sank Friday morning. The crew was safely rescued by a Coast Guard Cape Disappointment 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew.
The vessel was reportedly carrying 3,500 gallons of diesel fuel at the time of the incident. The smell of diesel fuel has been reported in the area, as well as a visible sheen on the water. The amount of fuel discharged is unknown at this time.
The boat’s owner has contracted with Global Diving and Salvage to clean up the fuel and conduct salvage operations. The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the grounding and will monitor the salvage operations.
For more information about the rescue of the crew from the Titan, please visit: goo.gl/TUn39t.