Longview longshore worker Byron Jacobs was killed early in the morning June 28 when he was struck by a vessel line that snapped in half and recoiled. At 2:40 a.m, the Panama-flagged bulk cargo ship MV ANSAC Splendor was moving from one loading hatch to another along the dock at the Port of Longview when a braided maritime-grade line snapped and flew back toward the dock and the ship.
Three others were hurt. Chief Mate Pingshan Li of China, 41, was taken to the hospital and died later in the day of his injuries. A second longshoreman and a security guard suffered minor injuries.
Jacobs, 34, was a third-generation longshoreman, and had worked at the Port of Longview for 16 years. An active member of ILWU Local 21, he formerly served as secretary of the local. He left behind a wife and three young children.
A fund has been set up to benefit the family. Contributions can be sent to the Lower Columbia Longshoremen’s Federal Credit Union, Attn: Byron Jacobs Family Fund, 629 14th Ave., Longview, WA 98632.
