An empty 739-foot Panamanian-flagged cargo ship, bound for Kalama, WA, ran aground in the Columbia River near Astoria Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 25. The crew of the “Mokpo Star” reportedly attempted to adjust the ship’s location just north of the Astoria Northern Anchorage by deploying its anchors without authorization when it ran aground. The U. S. Coast Guard responded. The ship held an estimated 532,000 gallons of diesel fuel. However, there were no reports of any leaks or pollution. The ship was ordered to remain in anchorage until inspections to the hull could take place.
