Coast Guard Rescues Tug Luther from Grounding Near La Push in Severe Pacific Storm

A dramatic rescue mission took place off the coast of La Push, Washington, as the US Coast Guard and commercial tug crews worked together to save the 130-foot tug Luther from grounding after it lost steering in treacherous seas. What started as a routine towing operation quickly turned into a life-threatening situation when the Luther, towing a loaded cement barge, suffered steering failure approximately 10 miles offshore. With the vessel drifting dangerously close to shore in worsening conditions, the Luther’s crew issued a distress call to the Coast Guard, setting off a complex rescue effort.

At around 4:10 pm, the Luther reported its steering failure to the US Coast Guard. At that time, it was facing rough seas with waves between 10 and 14 feet high and winds gusting up to 45 knots. The vessel, unable to control its direction, was drifting rapidly toward the shore and was just one mile away from running aground. In response, the Coast Guard deployed multiple assets, including a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat (MLB) crew from Coast Guard Station Quillayute River, an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Astoria, and the commercial emergency tug Lauren Foss, to assist the stricken vessel.

The situation quickly escalated as the Luther began to take on water, forcing the crew to make the critical decision to disconnect from the cement barge it was towing in an effort to stabilize the tug. However, the separation of the tug and barge created its own set of problems. With the Luther now adrift, the tug Lauren Foss attempted to establish a tow, but this task was made incredibly difficult as the barge drifted dangerously close to the disabled tug, raising the risk of a collision.

Amid the worsening conditions, all five crew members aboard the Luther were safely transferred to the Coast Guard’s 47-foot Motor Lifeboat, a challenging operation given the high seas and severe weather. During the transfer, one crew member fell into the water, but was quickly and safely retrieved by the Coast Guard crew without any injuries. Despite the harsh weather, the Coast Guard later returned one crew member to the Luther to help with the towing operation.

Further complications arose when a towing line fouled one of the Lauren Foss’s propellers, rendering the tug unable to continue its rescue operation. This unexpected setback forced the Lauren Foss to return to shore, leaving the situation even more critical as the Luther continued to drift perilously close to the shoreline.

As the urgency of the situation increased, additional help arrived. The Canadian Coast Guard’s ocean-going tug, the Atlantic Raven, arrived at the scene to assist, along with support from the US Coast Guard’s Neah Bay station and additional assets from Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles. Working in coordination, the rescue teams were finally able to establish a secure tow-line and prevent the Luther from grounding. The tug was halted just one mile from shore, narrowly avoiding what could have been a major maritime disaster.

Meanwhile, the cement barge, which had drifted away after the Luther was forced to disconnect, was temporarily missing during the rescue efforts. However, both the US and Canadian Coast Guards were able to locate it a few hours later. Fortunately, the barge posed no immediate danger during the incident.

Following the successful rescue, the Luther was safely towed to Port Angeles with no injuries to the crew and no reports of pollution. The Coast Guard and commercial crews involved in the rescue worked tirelessly to ensure that both the tug and the barge were safely brought to harbor. The severe weather that played such a significant role in this near-disaster highlighted the dangers faced by mariners operating in the Pacific Northwest during storm season.

This dramatic event off La Push serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and hazardous conditions that can arise at sea. With strong Pacific storms already affecting the region, such as last week’s storm that caused the Pan Viva to take shelter off Unalaska, Alaska, shipping operations in the area continue to face increasing challenges as winter approaches. Despite these dangers, the quick response and coordinated efforts of the Coast Guard and commercial tug crews once again demonstrated the importance of maritime safety protocols and the effectiveness of rescue operations in extreme conditions.