Vancouver — Contractors are hoping today to begin pouring ballast water into enclosed compartments within the stern of the beached and broken barge Davy Crockett.
The vessel is between Vancouver and Camas along the Columbia River.
Kim Schmanke, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Ecology, said contractors continued working on Wednesday to stabilize the vessel before pumping water aboard the stern. The 431-foot former Liberty ship is buckled in a V shape, with water flooding the center. By flooding the stern, officials believe they can bend the vessel into a more stable position for a complete assessment of the hazard.
