MAY 23, 2015
United States Coast Guard District 17, Alaska News Release –
Coast Guard, agency partners respond to fuel spill in Cook
Inlet, Alaska
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
Personnel from the Coast Guard, Department of the Interior,
Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Department of Conservation, Bureau of Indian
Affairs and Cook Inlet Regional Citizen Advisory Council are responding to a
report of a landing craft with a punctured fuel tanker on board in southeastern
Cook Inlet, south of Port Graham, Saturday.
The crew of a 116-foot landing craft, Thor’s Hammer, were
transiting from Seward to Bristol Bay when the vessel reportedly encountered
heavy seas which caused a breach in the 9,000-gallon diesel-fuel tanker on
board.
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Mustang, a 110-foot
patrol boat, was diverted to the vessel’s location. The Mustang is
expected on scene Saturday evening.
The owner of Thor’s Hammer contracted the Alaska Chadux
Corporation to assist in containing and cleaning up the fuel.
“Our primary objective is to mitigate any potential
environmental impact and to ensure the safety of all response personnel,” said
Capt. Paul Mehler III, commander, Coast Guard Sector Anchorage. “The Coast
Guard is continuing to work alongside federal, state and local agencies in
response to the spill.”
Weather on scene is reported as southeast winds at 20 mph
and 1-foot seas.