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Sunken, damaged tugboat salvaged in US environmentally sensitive area
US federal, state, local and tribal authorities co-ordinated to remove a wooden-hulled sunken tugboat from an environmentally sensitive area in Washington state
A unified command, led by the US Coast Guard (USCG), has removed sunken tugboat Dominion from Bremerton Marina in Washington state, USA, after the 40-m wooden-hulled tug sank on 17 September 2025, causing an environmental accident that needed a quick resolution.
A unified command was set up involving the USCG, Washington Department of Ecology, Suquamish Tribe and the Port of Bremerton to remove the vessel and prevent further pollution from onboard oil and debris.
The USCG opened the oil-spill-liability trust fund and hired contractors to mitigate pollution threats and remove the World War II-era vessel.
During wreck removal operations, crews deployed booms, skimmers and absorbents to recover oil and protect sensitive habitats. Onshore teams were mobilised to monitor shorelines and clean up any pollution found.
"What little sheen was observed was considered nonrecoverable,” said the USCG.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provided scientific support to the unified command throughout the response. During the removal of tugboat Dominion, a debris curtain was installed and contained most oiled debris.
"On limited occasions, light oil sheen escaped containment; however, field observers continuously monitored the water and shoreline and identified no recoverable oil,” said the USCG.
In total, approximately 83,350 litres of oil/water mix, 190 tonnes of solid waste and debris, and 60 tonnes of metal were recovered during the response.
Crews also decontaminated 61 vessels in the Bremerton Marina. Contaminated debris will be transported to a hazardous waste facility in Oregon for proper disposal.
Wildlife experts were onsite daily throughout the destruction process. “No impacted wildlife was observed, and no Orca whales were seen in the immediate area during active response operations,” said the USCG.
A limited amount of containment boom will remain in place within the marina during November and early December while crews demobilise response equipment.
“The case showcased great co-ordination between federal, state, local and tribal governments,” said USCG sector Puget Sound, incident management chief Sean DiGeorge.
“We came together in a unified command and overcame significant challenges to respond to a significant environmental threat.”
Washington Department of Ecology onsite co-ordinator Dave Byers called on vessel owners to limit the amount of fuel stored on board. “Oil is toxic to the aquatic environment and can cause harm to Washington’s environmental, cultural and economic resources,” he said.
The 28th International Tug & Salvage Convention, Exhibition & Awards will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden, in association with Caterpillar, 19-21 May 2026. Use this link for more details of this industry event and the associated social and networking opportunities.
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