Grounded Fishing Vessel Spills 3,500 Gallons Of Diesel Near Alaska’s Kodiak

The U.S. Coast Guard and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) are responding to a large diesel spill in Izhut Bay, near Kodiak, after a commercial fishing vessel ran aground this week.

The vessel, identified as the F/V Sea Ern, struck a rock in Izhut Bay on Monday morning around 6:30 a.m. while carrying three crewmembers. The DEC later reported that the vessel sustained a 12-foot-long and 1-foot-wide gash in its bow, which damaged the tanks.

A distress call was made on VHF channel 16, and the good Samaritan vessel MS Kennedy arrived to rescue all three people onboard. No injuries were reported.

According to the Coast Guard, the grounding ruptured two aft fuel tanks, each able to hold 2,000 gallons, releasing an estimated 3,000 to 3,500 gallons of diesel into the water.

In response, exclusion boom has been deployed around the vessel to limit the spread of diesel, and protective boom has also been placed near the Kitoi Bay Hatchery.

Limited sorbent materials have been applied at the site. Cleanup contractors with the Alaska Chadux Network have been mobilised to stabilise the vessel and recover the remaining fuel.

Authorities said the vessel still contains about 12,790 gallons of diesel that has not leaked, along with 300 gallons of lubricants.

The spill has already impacted local fishing. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced the closure of commercial salmon fishing in the Outer Kitoi Bay and Izhut Bay sections of the Afognak District until further notice. The closure was ordered after a visible sheen was observed on the water surface.

DEC noted that the area is a habitat for northern sea otters, Stellar’s eiders, short-tailed albatross, migratory birds, and whales. These include species listed as threatened or endangered. So far, officials said there have been no confirmed impacts on wildlife.

Weather may complicate the cleanup. Forecasts predict light rain and patchy fog through Friday, which could make recovery operations more challenging.

Reference: Alaska gov

Source: Maritime Shipping News