The
barge DBL165-1 rests grounded in the mud of the Kongiganak River near
Bethel, Alaska, June 4, 2015. (U.S. Coast Guard photo provided by Air
Station Kodiak)
The Coast Guard is responding to a barge grounded on the Kongiganak River near Bethel Friday.
The barge DBL165-1 grounded Wednesday with 50,000 gallons of jet fuel, 17,000 gallons of diesel fuel and 1,000 gallons of regular unleaded fuel aboard while being pushed by the tug vessel Nanchik. Attempts at re-floating the barge at high tide have failed.
An examination of the barge revealed no damage to the tanks or hull. A C-130 Hercules plane crew from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak conducted an over flight of the vessel. No pollution or injuries have been reported.
“Our way forward is to continue working with the vessel owner and response crews to re-float the barge,” said Cmdr. Shane Montoya, deputy commander, Coast Guard Sector Anchorage. “The safety of responders and the environment are our top priorities, and there have not been any reports or signs of pollution.”
A Coast Guard pollution responder and marine inspector are scheduled to conduct onsite assessments of the response.
The weather on scene is calm with good visibility.