Incident on Tugboat Leads to Tragedy in Alaska
Over the weekend, a tragic event unfolded in southeast Alaska, resulting in the deaths of two tugboat crew members while two others sustained injuries. The U.S. Coast Guard referred to it as a “confined space incident.” It sounds pretty serious, right?
The Coast Guard released a statement that didn’t go into much detail about the specifics of the situation. However, it was noted that the crew of the tug Chukchi Sea lost contact with four members while they were inside the cargo ship Waynehoe on Sunday. This ship was anchored approximately 40 kilometers northwest of Ketchikan.
The parents of one victim, Sidney Mohorovich, were informed by Coast Guard officials that there was methane gas detected in the area where the incident occurred. It’s alarming, really. Methane can be quite dangerous.
“We’re not sure how the events unfolded that led to them being in this confined space—whether they entered as a group or at different times,” Todd Mohorovich shared in a call from his home in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. “All we know is that there was a significant level of methane gas in that area.” How unsettling it must be not to have all the answers.
He mentioned that he wasn’t aware of where the gas came from. The Coast Guard hadn’t responded yet to an inquiry about the methane presence.
Interestingly, the last conversation Todd had with his son was on Saturday night. He recalled Sidney mentioning a storm approaching and that the barge was in a location safe from it. It’s heartbreaking how those moments can change so quickly.
The crew was reportedly set to carry out their regular safety checks before the storm hit.
According to federal guidelines, a “confined space” on a vessel refers to a cramped area, such as a double-bottom tank, where hazardous situations could arise, including a lack of oxygen. It’s a precarious situation, no doubt.
The tugboat team managed to request help from the Coast Guard, successfully retrieving one deceased crew member and rescuing the other two before additional help arrived.
The barge was towed back to Ketchikan, where the second deceased member was safely removed from the confined space, as stated by Coast Guard spokesman Alexander Ransom.
The cause of death hasn’t been disclosed yet, and the body was sent to Anchorage for an autopsy. Sidney Mohorovich was only 28 and had been with Hamilton Marine Construction for just a month.
He’d previously worked as a lumberjack, a welder, and had skills in construction and electrical work. His mother expressed, “He could understand almost everything.” It’s clear he had a wide range of abilities.
His mother, Eva Mohorovich, reflected on his vibrant character. “He was loved by so many. Just an extraordinary human being—smart, witty, funny, and loving.” It’s poignant to hear about someone’s life in such glowing terms, especially in light of a recent loss.
Todd Mohorovich added that his son had a genuine heart for helping others and was selfless in many ways. “We truly appreciate the kind of person he was,” he noted. “Despite this tragedy, we wouldn’t change anything about the lives we’ve shared.” It’s a profound thought—sometimes it feels like changing one part could ripple through everything else.
As for the survivors, Ransom mentioned they were in good condition but their status was initially reported as unstable. In addition, the other victim was identified as Ben Fowler. It’s a sad reminder that life can be so unpredictable.
