Friday, December 14, 2018

700 gallons of marine diesel spilled after the fishing vessel Nordic Viking sank at the T Dock in Seward Harbor, Alaska











FV Nordic Viking

Seward, AK | 2018-Dec-10

Initial Notification: On 9-Dec-2018, FV Nordic Viking, a tender/processor, sank at the T Dock in Seward Harbor. The vessel is reported to be 76'. The vessel owner indicated that there was about 700 gallons of marine diesel on board the vessel (capacity 2,000 gallons). Absorbent boom was placed at the dock. Before booming a rainbow sheen ~60' by 1500' was observed. The sheen reportedly had black oil as well. NOAA SSC is consulting with the ADEC.

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The weekend sinking of a fishing vessel in the Seward Harbor has prompted a cleanup effort as plans to salvage the vessel unfold.



The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation said in a report that it is monitoring the response to the Nordic Viking, which sank at the “T-dock” in the Seward Harbor and was reported to DEC Sunday by the local harbormaster. It’s not clear why the ship sank.



The site of the fishing vessel Nordic Viking's sinking in the Seward Harbor on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018. (From Alaska DEC)



“The harbormaster deployed absorbent boom and the salvage contractor, hired by the [vessel owner], deployed containment boom on Dec. 9,” DEC officials wrote. “Containment boom that was deployed [Dec. 9] failed when the vessel shifted and pulled the boom under.”



The report mentioned that an "unknown amount of marine diesel and other petroleum products" spilled into the harbor after the ship sunk. The vessel’s owner said the Nordic Viking was holding 600 to 700 gallons of fuel, as well as 50 gallons of gasoline.



Both salvage firm Stormchasers and oil containment responder Chadux have been called to the sinking site, which has been monitored by DEC staff since Sunday.



The site of the fishing vessel Nordic Viking's sinking in the Seward Harbor on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018. (From Alaska DEC)



“An additional [U.S. Coast Guard] responder was deployed from Sector Anchorage and arrived on Dec. 10,” DEC staff wrote. “The salvage contractor conducted diving operations to plug fuel tank vents and retrieve the containment boom that was pulled under the vessel. The containment boom was again deployed around the vessel and will be monitored frequently as operations continue.”



Birds have been seen around the sinking site, according to DEC, but no soiled animals have yet been spotted. Sportfishing may still be taking place in the area, which is being transitioned by other vessels.