Runaway barge crashes into barrier at Seattle Waterfront

SEATTLE — An unattended barge crashed into a barrier near Pier 66 along the Seattle Waterfront Thursday.

Just after 1 p.m., several videos surfaced online showing the barge hitting the barrier near the pier and the Seattle Aquarium.

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Seattle barge collision

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the barge broke free from another terminal where it was docked, as high winds slowly pushed it toward the waterfront.

The Doc Maynard Water Taxi was headed to Pier 50 from West Seattle when its crew noticed there was no tugboat with the barge and then realized it was free.

The captain intercepted and diverted the barge by pushing it, and while that didn’t stop the collision, some people say that if the captain hadn’t taken action, the situation could have been a lot worse.

“That’s a lot of windage on a day like this. So I’m sure the forces were very strong, and I’m just thankful it was able to get to the dock as opposed to crashing into the dock I’m on, or the aquarium, where the damage would be a lot more,” said Sally, who witnessed the crash.

Video from the incident shows the water taxi attempting to push the barge out of the way.

Tugboats eventually arrived to pin the ship in place until the barge owner could arrange transport.

The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.

No injuries were reported.

RAW: Barge hits Seattle Waterfront barrier

Video submitted by KIRO 7 viewer Chelsea Johnson.

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