Two Crew Members Die, Two Injured in Confined Space Incident on Alaska Barge

Alaska Barge Incident Claims Two Lives, Injures Two

Two crew members died and two others were injured in a confined space incident aboard a freight barge moored in southeast Alaska last weekend. The incident occurred on Sunday when crew members from the tugboat Chukchi Sea lost contact with four colleagues. They were in a confined space on the barge Waynehoe, located approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Ketchikan.

Coast Guard officials informed family members of methane gas presence in the confined space.

Parents of one of the victims, Sidney Mohorovich, reported this information. The source of the methane gas has not been specified by officials.

The tugboat crew initiated a rescue effort after losing contact. They successfully recovered one deceased crew member and assisted two survivors before Coast Guard rescue teams arrived on the scene.

The barge was subsequently towed to Ketchikan. The second deceased crew member was recovered there after the confined space was deemed safe for entry.

The causes of death have not been publicly released. The bodies were transported to Anchorage for autopsies.

Sidney Mohorovich, 28, was identified as one of the fatalities. He was on his first job in Alaska with Hamilton Marine Construction. The other deceased crew member was identified as Ben Fowler. The two survivors are reported to be in good condition.