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Maritime News

Incident Photos: Bulk Carrier Listing After Grounding in Columbia River

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Two tugs assist the motor vessel Sparna, a 623-foot Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier with a load of grain, with maintaining position after the vessel reportedly ran aground in the Columbia River near Cathlamet, Wash., March 21, 2016. A salvage plan will be approved by the Coast Guard before the vessel can be moved from its current location. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Levi Read)
Tugs the MV Sparna with maintaining position after the vessel reportedly ran aground in the Columbia River near Cathlamet, Wash., March 21, 2016. U.S. Coast Guard Photo

A 623-foot bulk carrier was damaged below the water line after running aground on the Columbia River near Cathlamet, Washington early Monday morning.

The U.S. Coast Guard is monitoring for pollution from the Panamanian-flagged Sparna, which is anchored but listing to port after taking on water in “void spaces”. The ship’s fuel tanks were not damaged in the incident.

Reports say that so far no pollution has been observed from the vessel so far. 

The Coast Guard said Monday that the ship sustained damage below the water line after running aground while headed west on the Columbia River with a full load of grain.

As of Tuesday, the Sparna remained at anchor and was maintaining position with the assistance of two tugs.

Local reports have said that a pilot was onboard when the grounding occurred. 

The motor vessel Sparna, a 623-foot Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier, lists to its port side after taking on water in void spaces after reportedly running aground while transiting the Columbia River near Cathlamet, Wash., March 21, 2016. The vessel is safely anchored and the Coast Guard is monitoring the situation until repairs can be made. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Levi Read)
The motor vessel Sparna, a 623-foot Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier, lists to its port side after taking on water in void spaces after reportedly running aground while transiting the Columbia River near Cathlamet, Wash., March 21, 2016. U.S. Coast Guard Photo
The motor vessel Sparna, a 623-foot Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier reportedly briefly ran aground while transiting the Columbia River near Cathlamet, Wash., March 21, 2016. The vessel is safely anchored, and is maintaining position, with the assistance of two tugs, as an approved salvage and repair plan is developed. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Levi Read)
U.S. Coast Guard Photo
A tug helps stabilize the motor vessel Sparna, a 623-foot Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier, while the Sparna awaits repairs after it sustained damage below the waterline while transiting in the Columbia River near Cathlamet, Wash., March 21, 2016. The Sparna is loaded with grain and was headed west on the Columbia River when the incident occurred. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Levi Read)
U.S. Coast Guard Photo
The motor vessel Sparna, a 623-foot Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier, sits damaged but afloat in the Columbia River near Cathlamet, Wash., March 21, 2016. The Sparna reportedly briefly ran aground while transiting the Columbia River and took on water in void spaces, and is currently safely anchored and awaiting repairs. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Levi Read)
U.S. Coast Guard Photo