Cleanup Efforts Of Oil Leaking From Sunken Women’s Bay, Kodiak Vessel Ongoing

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation provided an updated report on the oil leaking from the fishing vessel that sunk in Women’s Bay, Kodiak in 1989. A sheen was first reported on August 3^rd and crews conducted an overflight on August 5^th and observed a large sheen in the bay.

Jade Gamble, Cook Inlet and Kodiak Unit Manager for the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation:

“On the fifth of August, we had Fish and Game do a flyover and they observed a fairly large sheen which appeared like it was coming from something at the bottom of the ocean. Under further research, we found that it was coming from a vessel that sank in 1989 called the St. Patrick. That vessel has been there in Women’s Bay since 1989. Recently, here, it just started leaking from some of the rivets rusting out. We’ve started, the coast guard has hired Global Diving and Paradigm Marine and Chadux Alaska to provide resources to mitigate the spills. We have been able to reduce the amount of diesel leaking out of the vessel. We’ve also put boom out to collect any sheen that is coming to the surface.”

As of August 29th, 9730 gallons of oily water had been recovered. It is estimated that 4290 gallons of that amount is made up of various petroleum products.

(Photo Credit: Global Diving and Salvage: Diver using a magnetic drill press to open an exploratory hole in the hull – 8/20)

Divers penetrated the hull of the vessel using specialized drilling equipment in multiple locations to collect oil that was accumulated in internal spaces. As holes are drilled, any oil is immediately recovered using suction. During these operations, information was collected regarding the condition of the metal hull. Response crews continue to maintain double boom, lined by absorbent boom to recover any oil that escapes from the vessel.

(Photo Credit: Alaska Chadux Network – boom in Women’s Bay over the F/V St. Patrick on August 21)

The potential volume of the fuel, oil and lubricant storage during the vessel’s normal operation is unknown. An undetermined amount of diesel fuel has leaked from the wreck. There is an unknown amount of diesel, engine oils and lubricants remaining on the vessel, according to information from the DEC.

(PHOTO PROVIDED BY ETRAC – SCREEN GRAM FROM AUGUST 15, 2021 3D SONAR)

As of August 26th, no oiled wildlife has been observed and no impacts to shoreline have been observed.