Coast Guard, other agencies monitor barge in tow off Washington Coast

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard continues to monitor the towboat MIKI HANA as it tows a 330-foot barge approximately 20 miles off the coast of Grays Harbor, Wash., Thursday.

The MIKI HANA temporarily lost control of the barge on Wednesday when the towing cable parted during heavy seas. The crew of the MIKI HANA was able to recover the barge and reestablish the tow several hours later. The crew is currently working to secure and retrieve the 1700 feet of broken tow cable that is presently trailing behind the barge.

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A second towing vessel is assisting the MIKI HANA for its transit north to a port to be determined where repairs will be made to the vessel's towing equipment. The barge contains approximately 700,000 pounds of construction materials and 400 gallons of diesel fuel.



Representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard, Washington State Department of Ecology, Olympic National Marine Sanctuary, Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, Makah Tribal Office of Marine Affairs and the towing company are working collaboratively to ensure a safe transit.