Barge Bell 157; San Pablo Bay, California

San Pablo Bay, California | 1997-Jun-10

Initial Notification: On June 10, 1997, the tug William Tindale was pushing the hopper barge Bell 157 when it overturned and sank between buoys 8 and 10, just outside the channel in San Pablo Bay, California. The barge was loaded with sand, but there were also 600 gallons of diesel fuel, 450 gallons of hydraulic oil, 80 gallons of lube oil, and various 55-gallon drums onboard. Two personnel onboard drowned when the barge capsized. Containment and salvage operations were initiated. The area around the barge was boomed and divers looked for the missing personnel. The barge was eventually righted, the bodies recovered, and the oils pumped off. USCG district 11. Keyword: none.