Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Edfu

On Tuesday evening, the U.S. Coast Guard executed a vital medevac operation for an injured crew member aboard the 734-foot Egyptian cargo vessel EDFU, moored in the Columbia River near Astoria, Oregon. The distress call was received around 5 p.m. by Sector Columbia River, indicating that a crew member had suffered a serious injury, specifically a ruptured left eye. In response, the team from Station Cape Disappointment in Ilwaco, Washington, mobilized a 47-foot motor lifeboat to assist. Upon arrival at the Astoria anchorage, Crewmembers from EDFU facilitated the transfer of the injured individual down an accommodation ladder to the waiting lifeboat. The injured man was then swiftly transported to the East End Mooring Basin. Once there, local EMS teams took over and rushed him to Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria for further treatment. At this time, the circumstances surrounding the injury and the crew member's condition remain undisclosed. This incident highlights the critical role of the Coast Guard in ensuring maritime safety and emergency medical responses along the Pacific Coast.

The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River has officially granted clearance for the Edfu, a 734-foot cargo vessel hailing from Egypt, allowing it to resume its journey. The ship is now en route to Kalama, Washington, where it is scheduled to load grain for export to China. The Edfu was previously detained due to non-compliance with crucial international and domestic regulations pertaining to safety, security, and environmental standards. Coast Guard officers identified several deficiencies, including the absence of an adequate firefighting system, a necessary gangway patrol, and various security measures designed to restrict unauthorized access to the vessel while docked.

The Coast Guard Sector Columbia River took decisive action by detaining the cargo vessel 'Edfu,' which was found in violation of several international and domestic regulations concerning safety, security, and environmental standards. The incident unfolded as the 'Edfu' was preparing to navigate the challenging Columbia River Bar when it encountered a significant loss of propulsion power. In response, the onboard crew executed an emergency anchoring maneuver while awaiting the arrival of assist tugs. As the situation developed, the Coast Guard collaborated with the Columbia River Bar Pilots Association and local towage services, successfully guiding the vessel to safety at the Port of Astoria on October 25, 2011. Following its secure berthing, Coast Guard inspectors from the Marine Safety Unit in Portland conducted a thorough examination of the 'Edfu' to address the cause of the propulsion failure and assess compliance with safety and security protocols. During their inspection, officials uncovered alarming deficiencies, including severely cracked and deteriorated firefighting piping, which compromised the crew's ability to address potential onboard fires. Additionally, the vessel failed to meet critical standards in a security inspection, revealing non-compliance with its established Security Plan. In light of these findings, Captain Bruce Jones, the Commanding Officer of Sector Columbia River and Coast Guard Captain of the Port, issued an official order to detain the 'Edfu' until all identified safety and security issues were rectified, ensuring the well-being of both the crew and the maritime environment.