On January 13, 2024, about 0815 local time, the small passenger vessel Columbia Gorge broke away from its mooring on the south side of the Columbia River in Cascade Locks, Oregon, during high winds. There was no one on board the vessel at the time. The Columbia Gorge drifted downriver and eventually struck the Thunder Island pedestrian bridge and three tribal fishing platforms. There were no injuries and no pollution was reported. Damages to the vessel, the pedestrian bridge, and adjacent fishing platforms were estimated at $430,000.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause of the contact of the small passenger vessel Columbia Gorge with the pedestrian bridge and tribal fishing platforms was the high winds acting on the vessel, which exceeded the mooring arrangement, leading to the vessel breaking away and drifting downriver.
