The disabled mixed-products tanker Pine Galaxy arrived in San Francisco for repairs Wednesday, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
Commercial tugs towed the ship safely into the Port of San Francisco with an escort by the Coast Guard Cutter Pike and the crew of a Coast Guard Station San Francisco 45-foot Response Boat — Medium. The Pine Galaxy will undergo repairs and inspection at a shipyard in San Francisco.
The ship experienced a fire in the machinery shop, located in the engine room, in the North Pacific while traveling from Los Angeles to South Korea. The fire occurred earlier this month. It resulted in the death of one crewmember and left the ship without power or propulsion.
There are no reports of damage to the ship’s cargo tanks, fuel tanks or hull. The Coast Guard, along with several federal, state and local partners formed a safety team with the ship’s owners to coordinate the safe arrival of the ship.
“This case is a noteworthy example of the Coast Guard and other partner agencies working closely with the ship’s owner to coordinate and ensure the safe arrival of the ship to port for repairs,” said Capt. Gregory Stump, commander, Coast Guard Sector San Francisco.
[mappress] Press Release, August 28, 2014; Image: USCG