Crews work to stabilize beached, leaking barge

Contractors working with the U.S. Coast Guard on Tuesday continued working to stabilize the skeletal remains of the beached and broken barge Davy Crockett.

The 431-foot former Liberty ship has been leaking PCB-tainted oil.

Approximately 10,000 feet of absorbent boom and 3,600 feet of hard boom have been deployed to contain the potential release of oil and protect the shoreline, the Coast Guard said.

The Coast Guard said 127 workers from federal, state and local agencies, as well as cleanup contractors, are responding and have recovered about 1,450 gallons of oil.

Two work barges are on the scene to help.

The boat is on the north bank of the Columbia River between Vancouver and Camas.

The vessel’s midsection is buckled, with the bow and stern forming a ‘V’ sticking out of the water. The Coast Guard has sought $3.5 million in funding for the cleanup and recovery out of the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. Contractors are hoping to pour ballast water into enclosed compartments within the stern in an effort to bring some semblance of stability to the severely damaged vessel. Then, inspectors will be able to conduct a thorough survey of the barge’s interior and exterior.

“We definitely want to make sure it’s done safely as we move forward,” Coast Guard Petty Officer Kelly Parker said Tuesday.