Refloated ship Deep Sea from Penn Cove reaches Seattle

The derelict ship that shut down shellfish harvesting at Penn Cove off Whidbey Island has been towed to Seattle to be scrapped.

Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Iain Wells says a tug boat started moving the Deep Sea early Wednesday morning for the trip of about 50 miles.

The ship arrived at the Ballard Locks in Seattle shortly after noon Wednesday. It will be dismantled at a Ballard shipyard.

The 140-foot ship caught fire and sank May 12, leaking fuel. A crane barge raised it on Sunday.

The state Ecology Department says the spill response by various agencies has cost the state nearly $2 million.

The state Health Department says some Penn Cove shellfish beds reopened Tuesday, but some contamination was detected at others that remain closed for more testing next week.