SEQUIM — Lady Washington, the state’s official tall ship, ran into a bit of trouble on its final day visiting Sequim Bay.
The vessel, which offered “a living history experience with demonstrations of tall ship handling, sea shanty singing and maritime storytelling” during paid tours Saturday through Monday out of John Wayne Marina, ran aground near Travis Spit at about 8 a.m. Monday.
Ali Flockerzi, Petty Officer for U.S. Coast Guard District 13, said the Coast Guard is aware and monitoring the ship’s situation.
The Coast Guard received a call about the ship — a full-scale replica of the 18th-century sailing vessel — running aground in Sequim Bay at about 8 a.m.
Flockerzi said the Coast Guard does not know the ship’s route and if the ship intends to carry on with its voyage.
She said she believes the ship’s crew was waiting for high tide, about 6 Monday evening.
“In the event they do need assistance, we will have an asset on scene,” Flockerzi said.
She said no injuries were reported. The vessel reportedly had a crew of 14 and five passengers.
“We usually have awareness of these situations; a run aground ship could spill fuel or put passengers in danger,” Flockerzi said.
She added, “We just like to make sure everybody is staying safe.”
PDN news partner KOMO reported that authorities said the vessel was not taking on water Monday and that no pollutants were leaking from it.
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Erin Hawkins is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. Reach her at ehawkins@sequimgazette.com.
