WSF CHIMACUM

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Latest news

Ferry responded to boat fire

The 'Chimacum' was among the vessels to respond to a burning recreational vessel in the Elliot Bay, Washington, near the Duwamish Head Light, close to the northern end of West Seattle on Dec 8, 2024, at 12.16 p.m. PST. The incident prompted a rapid response from multiple agencies, including the Coast Guard, which launched a 45-foot- and a 29-foot response boat from the Station Seattle, the Seattle Fire Department, and the Washington State Ferries. The Coast Guard sent two fast response vessels to combat the flames. The Seattle Fire Department dispatched the fireboat Chief Seattle. A private boater was nearby to rescue the skipper, who jumped over board, and was then provided with emergency medical services. As of 12:35 p.m., firefighters had water on the fire. By 12:55 p.m., the fire was mostly knocked down. The Seattle Fire Department fireboat 'Chief Seattle' then began to tow the vessel to safety. The vessel was then handed over to Tow Boat US, which took over the towing operation, but the vessel sank near the 32nd Ave Beach Access in Elliott Bay. The boat had around 250 gallons of diesel fuel on board. The owner has arranged for salvage operations, and booms have been placed around the area to mitigate pollution. Divers too have been contacted to remove any remaining fuel as part of the salvage operation. Reports with photos and video: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3990458/coast-guard-and-partner-agencies-respond-to-boat-fire-near-seattle/ https://westseattleblog.com/2024/12/boat-fire-in-elliott-bay/ https://www.komonews.com/news/local/salvage-efforts-in-elliott-bay-after-boat-fire-boom-deployed-to-stop-fuel-spillseattle-coast-guard-good-samaritan-vessel-rescue-contractor https://www.bairdmaritime.com/security/non-naval-security/coast-guard/us-coast-guard-partner-agencies-respond-to-boat-fire-near-seattle https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/1-person-rescued-as-boat-burns-offshore-near-west-seattle/

MOB operation on last watch before retirement

Washington State Ferries Captain Tom Tilton, 68, could hardly believe the "man overboard" call as he piloted the 'Chimacu,' from Bremerton to Seattle on his last watch after 25 years on Nov 25, 2021. A woman had gone overboard about 5 p.m. as the ferry approached Duwamish Head. Tilton ordered the vessel stopped and headed for the pilothouse on the other end. A ferry worker had tossed a lighted life ring into the water as the others spotted the woman in the water off the side closest to the shoreline. Crew members hopped into an inflatable rescue boat and pulled her out of choppy waters. She was taken to an awaiting ambulance at the ferry terminal and is expected to survive.

Woman jumped over board and was rescued

On Nov 16, 2020, at 2 pm. a woman jumped off the 'Chimacum'. She was found in the water by two fishermen, brought to shore and was subsequently taken to the St. Michael Medical Center in stable condition. She told police that she had jumped from the ferry. A Coast Guard search was kicked off in Rich Passage when Washington State Ferries crew members found an unaccompanied backpack on the vessel and found security footage of her going overboard.