Tragic Confined Space Incident Claims Two Lives on Alaskan Barge
The United States Coast Guard has confirmed a devastating incident aboard a freight barge in southeast Alaska, where two tugboat crew members lost their lives and two others sustained injuries. The tragedy, described officially as a "confined space incident," occurred last weekend approximately 25 miles northwest of Ketchikan.
Details of the Fatal Incident
According to Coast Guard reports released on Wednesday, the four individuals were inside a confined space on the barge named Waynehoe when fellow crew members from the tugboat Chukchi Sea lost contact with them. The crew managed to initiate a rescue operation, recovering one deceased member and assisting two survivors before Coast Guard teams arrived on the scene.
The barge was subsequently towed to Ketchikan, where authorities safely cleared the confined space to recover the second victim. Coast Guard spokesperson Alexander Ransom provided these updates via email, noting that the causes of death have not been disclosed, and autopsies are being conducted in Anchorage.
Methane Gas Presence Revealed
In a heartbreaking development, the parents of one victim, Sidney Mohorovich, revealed that Coast Guard officials informed them of high levels of methane gas within the confined space. Todd Mohorovich, speaking from his home in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, expressed uncertainty about the sequence of events leading to the incident but confirmed the hazardous atmospheric conditions.
"What I can tell you is that the confined space had high levels of methane gas in it," Todd Mohorovich stated during a phone interview with The Associated Press. The source of the gas remains unknown, and the Coast Guard has not yet responded to requests for confirmation regarding its presence.
Remembering the Victims
Sidney Mohorovich, aged 28, was just one month into his new position with Hamilton Marine Construction. A resident of Deming, Washington, he was engaged to be married in June. Described by his family as a versatile and skilled individual, Mohorovich had worked as a logger, welder, and mechanic, with a talent for problem-solving.
"He could pretty much figure anything out," his mother, Eva Mohorovich, recalled. She and Todd Mohorovich fondly remembered their son's outgoing and generous nature, highlighting his willingness to help others and his unselfish character.
The second victim has been identified as Ben Fowler. Further details about Fowler have not been released at this time.
Regulatory Context and Aftermath
Federal regulations define a confined space on vessels as compartments with limited access that can readily create hazardous exposures, such as oxygen-deficient environments. This incident underscores the severe risks associated with such spaces in maritime operations.
The two surviving crew members are reported to be in good condition, an improvement from their earlier stable status. Hamilton Marine Construction has not responded to inquiries for comment regarding the tragedy.
As investigations continue, the maritime community mourns the loss of two crew members while grappling with the safety implications of confined space operations in remote Alaskan waters.
