Anchorage, Alaska — An investigation is underway after two tugboat crew members were killed and two others were injured in what the Coast Guard described Wednesday as a “confined space accident” aboard a barge anchored in southeast Alaska.
A news release from the agency provided limited details about what happened to the four, but said they were in a confined space on the cargo barge Wainho, anchored about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Ketchikan, on Sunday morning, when other crew members from their tug, the Chukchi Sea, lost contact with them.
Federal regulations define a “confined space” on board a ship as “a small-sized, limited-access compartment such as a double-bottomed tank, cofferdam, or other space that, because of its small size and confined nature, could easily create or exacerbate a dangerous exposure.” This can include lack of oxygen.
The tug crew called the Coast Guard for assistance and was able to extract one of the dead crew members from the confined area and helped the survivors out before the rescue team arrived. The Coast Guard said the second victim’s body was not recovered until after the boat was towed to a pier in Ketchikan “to ensure a safe and comprehensive response.”
The Coast Guard statement said the survivors were in stable condition. The two dead were identified as Ben Fowler and Sidney Mohorovich.
“Our deepest condolences to the families and fellow crew members affected by this tragic accident,” said Coast Guard Capt. Stanley Fields, commander of Sector Southeast Alaska. “This is a heartbreaking reminder that confined spaces on ships can contain very dangerous invisible dangers.”