In the early morning hours of Thursday, June 28th, a maritime accident occurred at the Port of Longview resulting in a tragic fatality and other injuries.
As a vessel attempted to move along the dock from one loading hatch to another,one of the vessel lines snapped in half and recoiled toward both the dock and the vessel.
ILWU member Byron Jacobs, 34, was fatally struck. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Pingshan Li, 41, Chief Mate aboard the carrier, was also struck. He was taken to Southwest Washington Medical Centre and later died of his injuries. Another longeshoreman and security guard also received non-life-threatening injuries.
“This is a tragic day on the waterfront,” said ILWU Local 21 President Jake Ford. “Byron was an active member of the union, loved his work and will be incredibly missed.”
“Our hearts are with his family and friends as we all grieve this tragic loss,” said Port of Longview CEO Norm Krehbiel. “This is an unimaginable loss felt throughout both the maritime and local community.”
The vessel, MV ANSAC Splendor, remains docked at the Port’s Berth 5. The United States Coast Guard and Washington State Labor and Industries are on-scene conducting investigations.
