The U.S. Coast Guard, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and Western Towboat continue in their response efforts for the grounded tug in the Neva Strait.
The Western Mariner on March 29 was refloated and towed to a commercial dock in Sitka. The tug had an estimated 43,500 gallons of fuel onboard at the time of the grounding. All tanks, voids, and spaces onboard the tug were inspected and emptied of diesel fuel during the response. Global Diving and Salvage conducted measurements from recovery efforts of clean fuel and oily water mixture. Recovery estimates include approximately 33,040 gallons of fuel transferred from secure tanks to storage, nearly 4,400 gallons recovered from the damaged tank, and 700 gallons were recovered from skimming operations. Western Towboat Co. reports that an estimated 5,307 gallons of diesel were spilled.
Deployed responders collected 20 cubic yards of saturated sorbent material.
Shoreline cleanup operations were conducted on three sites in Neva Strait following Shoreline Treatment Recommendations developed by the Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Techniques (SCAT) Team. Other shorelines in the area were determined to be clear of significant oil presence. Operations included deluge operations that utilize high-volume-low-pressure seawater to flush trapped oil from the beach, which was collected by sorbent material, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Environmentally sensitive areas that were found to be at risk were surveyed to assess oil impacts. On Monday, April 4th, the SCAT Team returned to Neva Strait to assess the shoreline treatment operations and determined that one site requires further treatment. Additional assessment on total shoreline cleanup efforts will be conducted in the near future.
No sheening was observed in areas that were opened to state fisheries or test fishing. The unified command has engaged with the Tribes to determine concerns and whether subsistence harvest areas have been impacted due to the incident.
