Two Killed in Confined Space Incident Aboard Barge Near Ketchikan

It is with great sadness that we report the deaths of two maritime workers following a fatal confined space incident aboard the freight barge WAYNEHOE, moored approximately 25 miles northwest of Ketchikan, Alaska, near Skowl Arm on Prince of Wales Island.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Southeast Alaska in Juneau received a mayday call at 9:14 a.m. on Sunday reporting that the crew of the tug vessel CHUKCHI SEA had lost contact with four crewmembers inside a confined space aboard the barge. The tug and barge are owned by Hamilton Marine Construction, a Bellingham, Washington-based company.

The U.S. Coast Guard directed the launch of a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Ketchikan, with members of the South Tongass Volunteer Fire Department aboard, to respond to the incident. While en route, the crew of the CHUKCHI SEA recovered one deceased crewmember and assisted two survivors out of the confined space.

To ensure a safe and thorough response, the barge was towed to a pier in Ketchikan, where the body of the second deceased crewmember was recovered from the confined space on Tuesday in a coordinated, multi-agency effort.

The deceased have been identified as Ben Fowler and Sidney Mohorovich. Ben Fowler’s sister, Juel Fowler, shared that her brother had started commercial fishing at the age of 12. She described him as having an irrepressibly joyful spirit and boundless energy.

Federal regulations define a confined space on a vessel as a compartment of small size and limited access, such as a double bottom tank or cofferdam, which by its nature can readily create or aggravate hazardous exposure, including a lack of oxygen.

“Our deepest condolences are with the families and colleagues of the crew members affected by this tragic incident,” said Capt. Stanley Fields, Commander of Sector Southeast Alaska. “This is a heartbreaking reminder that confined spaces on vessels can contain extremely dangerous, invisible hazards. The Coast Guard is committed to a thorough investigation to understand what happened and prevent a tragedy like this from occurring again.”

The cause of the incident remains under investigation. We will continue to follow this story as more details become available.

Our hearts go out to the families of Ben Fowler and Sidney Mohorovich, and to their crewmates who witnessed this tragedy. Commercial maritime work demands so much of the men and women who work in remote, unforgiving conditions, often far from home. We hope their families find comfort in knowing that their loved ones lived boldly, worked bravely, and will not be forgotten. If you have questions about maritime workplace rights, we are here to help.