A docked tugboat began capsizing south of the Brightman Street Bridge in Fall River on Saturday, according to the Fall River Police Department, triggering an emergency response from multiple agencies working to prevent the vessel from sinking into the channel.
The Fall River Police Department Harbormaster, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Coast Guard, Fall River Fire Department, and other agencies responded to the scene to assess the situation and stabilize the vessel, according to police reports.
Upon arrival, responders observed several lines holding the tugboat actively snapping due to the shifting weight of the vessel as it began to list, according to Fall River Police. Emergency crews worked to secure new lines and prevent the tug from fully capsizing, sinking, or drifting into the channel where it could pose a hazard to navigation.
Officials identified the vessel as the Guardian, a 102.7-foot by 28.5-foot tugboat owned by Cape Cod Canal Towing LLC of Springfield, Massachusetts. The laid-up vessel had been drained of fuel prior to the incident, according to officials.
Despite the fuel removal, crews established protective containment measures in the water as a precaution to mitigate any possible release of fuel or other contaminants, officials said. The preventive measures demonstrate the potential environmental risks posed by marine vessel incidents in the Fall River harbor area.
Emergency responders remained on scene working to further secure the lines while awaiting the arrival of specialized heavy equipment capable of lifting and stabilizing the vessel, according to authorities. Once that equipment arrives, a more permanent recovery operation will begin.
The Guardian carries a notable maritime history. Built in 1968 by Gulfport Shipbuilding Inc. in Port Arthur, Texas, the vessel has previously sailed under the names Crusader, Lyman Smith, and Lyman, according to maritime records. The tugboat experienced a previous sinking incident in 1988 while towing a barge near Sandy Hook, New Jersey.
The cause of Saturday’s capsizing incident remains under investigation, according to officials. The investigation will likely examine factors such as the vessel’s structural integrity, mooring arrangements, and any environmental conditions that may have contributed to the incident.
The emergency response highlights the coordinated efforts between local, state, and federal agencies in maritime incidents. The Fall River Police Department Harbormaster serves as the primary local maritime law enforcement agency, while the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection addresses potential environmental impacts. The U.S. Coast Guard provides federal oversight and expertise in vessel recovery operations.
Fall River’s location at the mouth of the Taunton River makes it a significant maritime hub in southeastern Massachusetts. The Brightman Street Bridge area serves as an important waterway connection, making vessel incidents in this location particularly concerning for navigation safety.
The incident underscores the ongoing challenges associated with aging maritime infrastructure and vessels. The Guardian, at 55 years old, represents the type of older commercial vessel that requires careful maintenance and monitoring when out of service.
Recovery operations continue as authorities work to prevent further environmental impact and restore normal navigation conditions in the area. The specialized heavy equipment required for the operation indicates the complexity involved in stabilizing and potentially refloating the partially capsized tugboat.
The multi-agency response demonstrates the preparedness of regional maritime emergency services to address vessel incidents that could impact both navigation safety and environmental protection in Fall River’s waterways.
