Fouled Towline
The 76 foot long, 93 gt towing vessel Kaktovik II became disabled and crashed onto the rocks near the harbor at Nome, Alaska. The Kaktovik II was pulling a barge when the towline got caught in the propeller disabling the vessel. The Kaktovik II drifted in the strong winds and 5 foot waves until it struck the rocks ripping a 40 foot gash in the hull. The Kaktovik’s fuel tanks were ruptured allowing up to 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel to spill out into the water. The vessel was pulled off the rocks and the remaining fuel was pumped off the Kaktovik. Authorities are conducting an assessment of the nearby shoreline for any environmental impact from the spill. No reports of injuries.
