Barge Captain Has Road Rage At Stevenson Today.

Nak · Since 19 May 2005 4246 Posts Camas Site Lackey **CGKA Member**

At about 3 - 3:15 today a barge intentionally blocked the Stevenson kite launch today, as well as blocking any sailboats from accessing the Stevenson boat ramp. He pulled up well North of where barges usually run and stopped right in front of the launch for about 20 minutes. Good riders could get around him, but most of the wingers and a few newbie kiters were stuck out. Had someone had a medical issue, it could have been really bad.

Joe The Kiter was giving a lesson on his jet ski and went over to the barge and asked them to please move a bit. The answer was basically no. The barge stayed there until Joe called the Coast Guard from his ski, well within sight of the barge. Only then did they start to move.

The captain was obviously waiting for a slot into the dam locks, but never once has anyone seen a barge wait right there. He was very clearly blocking the launch on purpose.

It was a Tidewater barge and the name of the tug was "The Chief." I plan on calling the Coast Guard and the Port Of Stevenson tomorrow, and complaining about the barge captain intentionally creating a navigational hazard. I encourage as many people as possible to please make the same calls. If this behavior is allowed to become a trend, and possibly get worse, someone is going to die eventually. Please help us put a stop to this now.

The Phone number for the Coast Guard section that has jurisdiction here is 833-769-8724

shred_da_gorge · Mon Sep 23, 24 6:58 am

Maybe revenge for having to 'slam on the brakes' in the corridor last month?

Nak · Mon Sep 23, 24 8:29 am

Probably, that's why I called it Road Rage.

Nak · Mon Sep 23, 24 8:47 am

Appropriate Coast Guard phone number added to the end of the first post. PLEASE call and add your voice to this! Cheers!

Singlemalt · Since 21 Jun 2015 474 Posts White Salmon Obsessed

Remember kids, tonnage rules.

chrissmack · Since 08 Jun 2005 526 Posts portland Addicted

yes, i saw the barge that day.

i've never seen that before. also assumed he was queued for the lock and was being a dick

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1527 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

This post makes me sick listening to the whiners. How many times have cooks and vets played right in the way of the tugs and barges. Friend of mine is a barge captain. They either come from hoood river or head that way. 90% of all the accidents on the Columbia are at the hood river bridge. You think they like trying to avoid us and dodge us maggots. Hmmm some dumb ass just got picked up after kooking out in hr??? Was he cited by the Sherriff or coast guard for blocking or inhibiting a navigable channel. Point being we should never complain as that captain would have been the first to grab you out of the water and save your ass from drowning.

Did you have an aerial view of the river? Do you know if the fiends of ours that fish from the banks and set nets were not struggling or dealing with a net in the Chanel as another tug was coming up from the locks. These tugs are not an auto driving tesla. Close but require true skill and they don’t stop.

Hmmm windy that day as you are were out. Makes it even tougher to hold down river. I am sure everyone was being a responsible River user and was aware and got out of the way in the case they had an accident. Your job to move not the tug supporting the economy.

As said this does not happen often or you just have not seen it as most are visitors and only see tugs on windy days. Should have been near Arlington yesterday. Cruise ship and two tugs trying to nascar to get by each other.

Should we call the coast guard and say they are too close and made it tough as I was bass fishing. Hmmm. No I move. .

Bottom line. Stop being cooks and get the f… out of the way of river traffic before it gets you or don’t and let the gene pool set itself straight.

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 591 Posts Addicted

user124 · Since 02 Aug 2012 391 Posts Portland Obsessed

windpig · Since 28 Aug 2008 278 Posts Obsessed

"Stop being cooks"

Why all the hate on Cooks? They just trynna keep you fed bro! My friend is a cook and he told me that most people don't even eat all their food! Disgraceful!

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 591 Posts Addicted

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1765 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

I was there doing my kook wing thing when "Cheif" made the long slow maneuver that completely blocked Stevie. He came in super slow way North of the channel and parked for a long time in Wind Johnny Central. Pretty much cut off all access (and egress) from Bob"s all the way past the docks. I was a bitt miffed being stuck on the outside, but figured he must have a good reason to park there. When I fell off foil, (possibly from prop wash) onto my board, knocking the wind out os me and making it very difficult toi breathe, I was pretty pissed. Fortunately for me, Joe the Kiter was giving a lesson and asked him to move down river a bit.

So I would be curious to know why he did something there that I've not seen in 40 years of Stevie time. Safety issue? Acceptable! Inexperience with the situation? also acceptable, learn and move on. Cause he's pissed off at Wind Johnnys and wants to show who's boss? That would suck, and seem unlikely as those guys make big bucks and like Commercial Anything with Danger Attached are highly regulated and whatever. So JustSmile, ask your Barge buddy whats the haps and let me know.

and Big thanks to the Stevie crew for taking care of me!

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1765 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

there are no nets out on the weekend (this happened on Sunday) Thank you for that My Native American brothers