Edfu

The Coast Guard transported an injured man from a ship anchored in the Columbia River to Astoria, Ore., Tuesday. Sector Columbia River received a call, at approximately 5 p.m., from the 734-foot Egyptian cargo ship EDFU, reporting a crewmember with a ruptured left eye. Station Cape Disappointment, in Ilwaco, Wash., launched a 47-foot motor lifeboat crew to the vessel, located at the Astoria anchorage. Two EDFU crewmembers helped the injured man down an accommodation ladder to the 47-foot motor lifeboat. The 47-foot motor lifeboat crew transported the man to East End Mooring Basin. Local EMS transported the man to Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria. The cause of his injury and his current condition are unknown. News Release: U.S. Coast Guard – 13th Distric

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River has cleared the Edfu, a 734-foot Egyptian cargo ship, for sail. It now heads to Kalama, Wash., to pick up grain destined for China. The Coast Guard originally detained the vessel for failure to comply with international and domestic regulations regarding safety, security and environmental protection. Officers said it lacked a proper firefighting system, a gangway patrol and other security measures to prevent anyone from gaining access to the interior of the ship while in port.

Coast Guard Sector Columbia River detained the "Edfu" for failure to comply with international and domestic regulations regarding safety, security, and environmental protection. While preparing to cross the Columbia River Bar, the ship experienced a significant reduction in propulsion power. The vessel’s crew conducted an emergency anchoring operation until assist tugs could arrive on scene. Over the ensuing hours, the Coast Guard worked with the Columbia River Bar Pilots Association and local area response tugs to bring the vessel safely to berth in the Port of Astoria where it berthed on Oct 25, 2011. Shortly thereafter, Coast Guard inspectors from Marine Safety Unit Portland attended the ship in the Port of Astoria to investigate the loss of propulsion and ensure the vessel’s compliance with other safety and security regulations. While onboard, the inspectors discovered numerous deficiencies including cracked and deteriorated firefighting piping which prevented the ship’s crew from being able to respond to a fire aboard the ship. Furthermore, the vessel failed a critical security inspection and was not in compliance with its Security Plan. Capt. Bruce Jones, Commanding Officer of Sector Columbia River and Coast Guard Captain of the Port, issued an order detaining the "Edfu" until all safety and security measures were corrected.