(OLYMPIA) – The state Department of Ecology (Ecology) and U.S. Coast Guard monitored the SS Cape Island, a 685-foot cargo vessel that lost propulsion and went adrift for about one hour early Sunday morning at the mouth of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, posing the risk of an oil spill.
The Coast Guard ordered the Cape Island to engage an escort tug, and proceed to Port Angeles to anchor there and undergo a survey and repairs as needed. The vessel also must ensure that its positioning beacon – which operated intermittently Sunday, Ferbruary 19, 2012 – was in full working order.
The U.S. Military Sealift Command contracted ship was headed outbound off Cape Flattery when the vessel, maintained by Crowley Maritime Services, reported the loss of propulsion to the U.S. Coast Guard at 5:12 a.m. The Coast Guard dispatched the Delta Lindsey, the industry-funded emergency-response towing vessel stationed at Neah Bay, at approximately 5:30 a.m. to assist the vessel and prevent an oil spill.
The tug was recalled after the SS Cape Island reported it had regained propulsion at 5:42 a.m.
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