The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Spill Prevention and Response reports that the Western Towboat Company reported a spill to the National Response Center following a tug grounding in Neva Strait just northwest of Sitka on Monday around 3:00 a.m.
The 83.7-foot tug vessel, Western Mariner, was towing the freight barge, Chichagof Provider, heading south in Neva Strait outside of Sitka when a temporary steering failure onboard the Western Mariner caused the barge to collide with the tug. The collision pushed the tug onto the beach, resulting in the release of diesel. An unknown quantity of diesel was spilled. The vessel has a maximum capacity of 50,000 gallons. Western Towboat Company estimates that the amount of fuel onboard at the time of the grounding to be about 45,000 gallons. The port forward fuel tank, which is a known source of the discharge, is reported to have a 13,000-gallon maximum capacity. A broken silver and rainbow sheen was observed to cover approximately four nautical miles.
ADEC reports that source control has not been achieved. Source control actions are underway by the dive and salvage crew, Hanson Maritime, who arrived onsite at approximately 8:00 a.m. All fuel manifolds are closed on the tug which will prevent fuel transfer between tanks. Response crew onsite have prioritized lightering the contents from the damaged and discharging port forward tank into an assisting fishing tender vessel.
A single layer of containment boom has been deployed around the vessel. SEAPRO has been activated and is in the process of organizing response operations. The oil spill response vessel, Neka Bay, has been mobilized from Juneau and is carrying 500 ft. of boom and anchor systems. A vessel of opportunity in Sitka has been mobilized with 1,000 ft. of boom. An additional 9,000 feet of boom and three additional vessels of opportunity are on standby in Sitka. The USCG cutter, Hickory, was mobilized and plans to arrive on scene Wednesday.
The freight barge remains afloat, is reportedly undamaged, and is being assisted by vessels onsite. A towing vessel is on-scene with the intention of towing the barge to Sitka.
Hanson Maritime and Global Diving and Salvage Inc. have been retained and are mobilizing to assist the vessel by plugging the fuel vents, assessing the damage, and containing the release. The damaged port forward fuel tank will be pumped out onto a fishing tender vessel.