PORTLAND (AP) – A federal workplace safety agency that investigated the death of a tugboat worker in Portland Harbor concluded that the victim’s employer needs to improve training.

But Portland Tugboat LLC is contesting the findings and a $1,500 fine imposed by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The company stands by its training regimen, said spokesman Bucky McAllister.

“It is obviously a very tragic event, but under the circumstances we don’t feel OSHA’s treatment is appropriate,” he said.

Christopher S. Cordeau, 29, was killed on Dec. 4 as a tug was helping to set a massive anchor to temporarily hold an oil rig, Pride Rio de Janeiro, near the mouth of the harbor.

As the tug was tensioning the anchor, its cable pinned and crushed Cordeau against the rail.

He fell into the water after workers cut through the cable with a torch. He was retrieved by a Coast Guard rescue boat, but attempts to revive him failed because of his severe injuries.

C. William Freeman, regional director for OSHA, declined to get into the details of the report released this month. But he said OSHA wants Portland Tugboat to put in place additional training or procedures.

“We did not feel the company reinforced to its employees that you cannot go near any lines that are under tension,” Freeman said.

A second accident related to the Pride Rio remains under investigation by OSHA. On Jan. 13, a crew member on the rig was killed and two others injured when a lifeboat dropped 60 feet and crashed into the water during testing.

AP-ES-06-04-04 0932EDT