Oregon Tug Captain Rescued After Capsize

A man is in serious condition after one of two commercial tugs towing a log barge capsized, becoming lodged beneath the giant boat and throwing its captain into the water, according to a Daily Astorian report. One of the sunken tug Tiger’s crew members jumped into the water to help the captain, while another crew member threw the two men a line until they could be pulled to safety with help from a Columbia River Bar Pilots helicopter and a pilot boat. The U.S. Coast Guard launched a 47 ft. (14.3 m) motor lifeboat and a utility boat from Station Cape Disappointment, which stood by as the second tug, the Howard Olsen, took control of the barge and the capsized boat, according to the report. Astoria police, the Astoria Fire Department and the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office also responded. The captain has been identified as David Schmelzer of Foss Maritime. Source: The Daily Astorian