LONGVIEW — A longshoreman died and three other people were injured when a vessel line snapped at the Port of Longview early Thursday morning, according to the port and other authorities.
Byron Jacobs, 34, of Longview received fatal blunt force injuries when he was struck by a vessel line that snapped in half as crews were moving a ship from one loading hatch to another, port officials said Thursday. He died at the scene at 2:40 a.m., according to the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office.
Jacobs’ family, which includes his three small children, has been notified.
“This is a tragic day on the waterfront,” said ILWU Local 21 President Jake Ford. “Byron was an active member of the union, loved his work and will be incredibly missed.”
The chief mate aboard the vessel was also struck, and he is in critical condition at Southwest Washington Medical Center. Another longshoreman and security guard also received non-life-threatening injuries, according to the port.
“Our hearts are with (Jacobs’) family and friends as we all grieve this tragic loss,” Port of Longview CEO Norm Krehbiel said in a statement. “This is an unimaginable loss felt throughout both the maritime and local community.”
ILWU President Robert McEllrath said in a statement Thursday that longshoremen across the West Coast are mourning Jacobs’ death.
“I remember him as a good man who worked hard for his family and his union,” McEllrath told The Daily News. “We will continue fighting every day to make our jobs safer, because the most terrible news is when a parent doesn’t come home from work.”
The vessel, MV ANSAC Splendor, remains docked at the port’s Berth 5. The Coast Guard and Washington State Department of Labor and Industries are at the scene conducting investigations.
