Coast Guard coordinates response to tug boat that lost steering while pushing barges in the Hudson River

Coast Guard coordinates response to tug boat that lost steering while pushing barges in the Hudson River

NEW YORK – The Coast Guard coordinated the stabilization and safe escort of a tugboat that lost steering in the Hudson River in New York, Wednesday afternoon.

At approximately 1:00 p.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New York Vessel Traffic Service received a report that the tug Buchanan 12 lost steering while transiting in the Hudson River near the Lincoln Tunnel.  The tug had 22,000 gallons of fuel aboard and was pushing nine barges loaded with stone.

Coast Guard Sector New York’s command center immediately issued a safety marine information broadcast.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers vessel HAYWARD was nearby and arrived first on scene. The HAYWARD was able to keep the tug and barges out of shoal water until assist tugs arrived. A boatcrew from Coast Guard Station New York also arrived on scene to monitor the situation and keep other vessels clear of the tug and barges.  NYPD Harbor and the New Jersey Regional Fireboat Task Force also sent assets to respond.

Two assist tugs arrived on scene at approximately 2:15 p.m. and assisted the Buchanan 12 in steering the barges to Greenville Yard in Jersey City, N.J. They then took the tug to Caddell's shipyard in Staten Island, N.Y., where it remains moored up for repairs.

“This is a great example of interagency coordination to keep our waterways safe,” said Capt. Jason Tama, commander of Coast Guard Sector New York. “Our steadfast watch by our Vessel Traffic Service personnel and timely response from local port partners were key to keeping the waterway open and preventing the situation from escalating.”

The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the steering loss.

 

-USCG-