Two Killed After Mooring Line Snaps at Port of Longview, Washington
M/V Ansac Splendor. File Photo: MarineTraffic.com/Les Blair
Two people were killed when a vessel’s mooring line snapped at the Port of Longview in southwestern Washington State last Thursday.
The accident occurred as the Panama-flagged bulk carrier M/V Ansac Splendor was mooring at port early on June 28.
“As a vessel attempted to move along the dock from one loading hatch to another, one of the vessel lines snapped in half and recoiled toward both the dock and the vessel,” the Port of Longview said in a statement.
The Port of Longview identified one of the victims as Byron Jacobs, 34, a longshoremen with ILWU Local 21, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
A second victim, Pingshan Li, who was Chief Mate aboard the vessel, was also struck and taken to Southwest Washington Medical Center where he later died from his injuries.
Another longeshoreman and security guard also received non-life-threatening injuries.
This is a tragic day on the waterfront,” said ILWU Local 21 President Jake Ford. “Byron was an active member of the union, loved his work and will be incredibly missed.”
“Our hearts are with his family and friends as we all grieve this tragic loss,” said Port of Longview CEO Norm Krehbiel. “This is an unimaginable loss felt throughout both the maritime and local community.”
The ANSAC Splendor remain docked at the Port’s Berth 5 as of Monday.
The accident is being investigated U.S. Coast Guard and Washington State Labor and Industries department.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased and injured including crewmembers and dockworkers,” said Capt. Thomas Griffitts, commanding officer Marine Safety Unit Portland. “The goal of our investigation is to find out what happened so we can prevent similar tragedies at this port and the other ports along the Columbia River.”
Bryon Jacobs, a father of three, was a 6th generation Longshoreman and worked for the ILWU at the Port of Longview for 16 years, his family said in a statement.
“His love for being a father radiated off of him. He was a wonderful husband, son, and brother. He was very proud to work for the ILWU and loved his Union Brothers & Sisters. He is much loved and is irreplaceable. We miss so much already,” Jacobs’ family said.
Source:gCaptain
