Tug - Shipwreck Log

Victory / James L Kuber

January 5, 2013 Paul Hancock

The integrated tug Victory / barge James L. Kuber became disabled in bad weather on Lake Superior off Stannard Rock near Marquette, Michigan. The integrated vessels had suffered a mechanical failure allowing the 673 foot long barge to break free. With 20 knot winds and 12 foot waves, the tug was having difficulty reconnecting the vessels again. The Victory requested assistance with the United States Coast Guard responding. The Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter to the scene. A cutter was also dispatched, but turned around before reaching the vessels. The bulk freighter Saginaw along with the tug Anlian Lady were nearby and were asked to assist. The Saginaw arrived on scene and provided a lee to allow the Victory crew to reconnect to the James L. Kuber. The Saginaw then escorted the Victory towards Sault Ste Marie. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released. The Victory had some 8,500 gallons of diesel fuel on board while the James L. Kuber was loaded with 21,000 tons of iron ore.

Coast Guard coordinates, oversees the collection of runaway barge on Lake Superior (uscgnews.com)

Kulluk and Aiviq

January 1, 2013 Paul Hancock

The 266 foot diameter Shell oil exploration rig Kulluk went aground in the Gulf of Alaska off Sitkalidak Island, Alaska. The rig was en route to Seattle for maintenance under the tow of the 360 foot long tugboat Aiviq when it encountered heavy seas and strong winds. The Aiviq suffered a power blackout when its engines failed. Both vessels went adrift some 50 miles from Kodiak Island. The crew requested assistance with a coast guard cutter and another tug dispatched to the scene. The tug Guardsmaan arrived and took the Aiviq under tow. Shortly afterwards, the weather caused the towline to separate. Several attempts to keep the towline connected failed as the vessels continued to drift closer to Kodiak Island. A total of 18 crewmen were airlifted off the Kulluk to safety by Coast Guard helicopters. The storm increased with 30 foot waves and 70 mph gusts as the Kulluk ran aground off shore. No reports of injuries.

Severe weather around Kodiak Island was continuing to impede salvage operations involving the Kulluk. Crews have not been able to directly assess the situation on the oil rig. A Coast Guard helicopter did a visual inspection of the Kulluk and found the hull intact and no signs of pollution released. The Kulluk had some 150,000 gallons of diesel fuel, hydraulic fluid and lubricating oil on board at the time of the grounding.
The Coast Guard cutter Alex Haley and an additional support vessel are standing by to assist as needed. Unified Command continues to implement contingency plans, including staging spill response equipment to the area. The priorities for Unified Command continue to be the safety of personnel and the protection of the environment. Nearly 600 people are involved in the response.

Coast Guard crews continue battling fierce storm to assist Kulluk near Kodiak, Alaska (uscgnews.com)
Coast Guard: Crews Battle Fierce Storm While Assisting Disabled Aiviq and Kulluk [Incident Photos] (gcaptain.com)
Shell drill ship runs aground on island off Alaska (miamiherald.com)

Polar Wind and Unimak Trader Update

November 22, 2012 Paul Hancock

The 78 foot long tug Polar Wind and 250 foot long barge Unimak Trader remain aground near Ukolnoi Island, Alaska since November 13. The vessels were headed to Dutch Harbor from Sand Point with 90 containers when the tug became disabled and was blown ashore in heavy seas. The five crew on board the Polar Wind were later rescued by the Coast Guard. Reports state there was some pollution spotted in the water near the grounded vessels. The barge had some 1,200 gallons of fuel on deck while the tug had some 20,500 gallons of diesel fuel on board. A boom was placed around the vessels to help contain any pollution released.