Working Conditions Aboard the Doris-Moran

On August 12, 2013, a significant allision occurred involving the tugboat 'Doris Moran' and the barge 'Alexander' near the Cape Cod Canal, prompting a swift response from the Coast Guard. At approximately 11:28 p.m., the crew of the 'Doris Moran,' based in Wilmington, Delaware, reported that they had lost power while towing the 410-foot barge, resulting in a collision. Fortunately, the tug crew managed to maneuver the barge out of the canal and into Buzzards Bay, where they anchored approximately two miles east of West Island. The barge was taking on about five feet of water; however, the onboard pumps were successfully managing the situation. The 'Alexander' was loaded with cement and on its way to New York at the time of the incident. Remarkably, there have been no injuries or environmental impacts reported, and vessel traffic in the Cape Cod Canal remained unaffected. Multiple agencies joined the Coast Guard in the response efforts, including crews from Coast Guard Station Woods Hole, the New Bedford Fire Department, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. The collaborative response ensured safety and control over the incident without any adverse effects on the surrounding area.