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Tag: Sitka

Powhatan

Powhatan

Powhatan
Photo: kcaw.org

On April 20, the 30 meter long tugboat Powhatan sank at its berth in Starrigavan Bay near Sitka, Alaska. The Powhatan initially sank in 15 meters of water, but later the tugboat slid further underwater and now rests in 60 meters of water. No reports of injuries, but some oil pollution was released.

Reports state the vessel had some 325 gallons of lube oil and 12 gallons of diesel fuel on board at the time of the sinking. The Coast Guard and local authorities were alerted and responded to the scene. Booms were placed on the surface to contain the pollution. An underwater camera will be deployed to monitor the vessel for any further release of pollution.

Powhatan

There are no reports if the vessel will be salvaged or not.

Ocean Eagle

Ocean Eagle

Ocean Eagle
Photo: uscg

On March 1, the 31 meter long tugboat Ocean Eagle ran aground on Mariposa Reef near Sitka, Alaska. The Ocean Eagle has proceeding through the Sumner Strait with a barge loaded with containers when it ran hard aground on a reef. The Coast Guard received a report the Ocean Eagle grounding and the tug had suffered water ingress in the engine room.

A Jayhawk Coast Guard helicopter was dispatched from Sitka and hoisted all five crew off the Ocean Eagle. No reports of injuries. Two Coast Guard cutters along with two tugs arrived on scene on March 2 to assist in salvage operations. A small sheen was spotted around the Ocean Eagle. The master of the Ocean Eagle stated the sheen was limited to a small amount of diesel fuel released from the tug’s day tank.

The following day, divers inspected the hull for damage.  Tugs completed dewatering the Ocean Eagle and was refloated. The barge remained aground as a section was almost up on the shoreline. Reports state the barge and tugboat had some 110,000 gallons of diesel fuel on board at the time. The Ocean Eagle is to be towed to Ketchikan and the barge is to be refloated and towed to Sitka.

Eyak

Eyak

Eyak
Photo: sitkaharborguide.com

 

The 80 foot long fishing boat Eyak ran aground and sank off Calligan Island near Sitka, Alaska. The Eyak had run aground during the early morning hours and the vessel requested assistance. A Sitka Mountain Rescue boat along with a Alaska Wildlife vessel responded to the scene. The 4 crew on board the Eyak were safely rescued.  The Eyak had capsized and partially sank with just a small portion of the overturn hull visible. Authorities are monitoring the situation for pollution. The fishing vessel had 500 gallons of fuel on board when it sank. Local reports state the crew did not have any survival suits on board the Eyak.