By U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Northwest

SEATTLE – The Coast Guard rescued five people from the 130-foot commercial tug Luther after it lost steering off the coast of La Push, Washington, Friday afternoon.

At 4:10 p.m., the tug lost steering and was beset by weather while towing a concrete barge 10 miles off the coast of La Push and requested assistance from the Coast Guard. A 47-foot Motor Lifeboat (MLB) crew from U.S. Coast Guard Station Quillayute River, U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Astoria, and the emergency response tug M/V Lauren Foss were launched to assist the distressed vessel.

The M/V Luther began taking on water and the crew disconnected from the barge due to the weather conditions. Once disconnected, the M/V Luther was able to stabilize and stay afloat while they prepared for a tow from the M/V Lauren Foss.

While the tow was being set up, the adrift barge came close to the M/V Luther and threatened to collide and all crew members were transferred to the 47-foot MLB.

During the transfer, one crew member fell into the water and was retrieved by 47-foot MLB crew. Station Quillayute River transferred a crew member onto the M/V Luther and the M/V Lauren Foss attempted a tow, but was unable to complete it after a line fouled in one of the M/V Lauren Foss’s props and they had to return to safe harbor.

After the first tow was unsuccessful, the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Atlantic Raven, an ocean-going tug, arrived on scene along with US Coast Guard Station Neah Bay and U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles.

The crews were able to establish a tow and prevent the M/V Luther from running aground while only 1 mile from shore. The Luther was taken to Port Angeles and no injuries were reported. On scene weather conditions were 10–14-foot seas and 45-kts winds.