Damaged ship allowed to leave Columbia River

A bulk grain carrier that ran aground in the Columbia River on March 21 has been cleared to depart, despite a huge boulder left embedded in its hull. Temporary repairs have made the 623-foot Sparna safe to leave the Port of Kalama, where it was taken after the grounding near Cathlamet, downstream of Longview, the Coast Guard announced today. “We have inspected the Sparna and have approved the temporary repairs to make the vessel seaworthy,” said Lt. Cmdr. Ben Russell, chief inspections department, Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Portland. “Our inspection team has monitored the planning and implementation of the repairs over the last two months. We are comfortable with the outcome and wish the crew of the Sparna a safe voyage across the Pacific Ocean.” The boulder in the hull was encased in steel and concrete for the voyage to the shipyard. At the time of the grounding, the Sparna was headed to Japan from Portland, where it had taken on a full load of grain.