High winds sent a barge toward Pier 66 in Elliot Bay Thursday afternoon. To the rescue: the Captain of the West Seattle Water Taxi!
The wayward barge could have caused more damage if not for quick thinking by Capt. Dan Krehbiel, who was manning the King County Water Taxi from West Seattle to Pier 50. Around 1 p.m., he noticed it floating without any tugboats, apparently heading toward the Great Wheel and the Seattle Aquarium, according to a spokesperson for King County Metro.
Krehbiel and crew steered the water taxi — the MV Doc Maynard — toward the barge, which was loaded with containers, and used the ferry’s bow to push the loose platform away from the waterfront and toward the less busy Pier 66 marina.
The barge had been tied up at Terminal 18. Three tugboats were also dispatched to stop the barge. Seattle Fire says they were preparing to evacuate buildings if the barge, loaded with freight containers, wasn't stopped. It hit the pier and stayed there until the tugboats pulled it away. The pier will be inspected for damage. There were no injuries and no fuel spill. What caused the barge to get free is under investigation
Update: The Crew are being honored tonight at the King county Council. Story here.