F/V Donna Ann Grounding; Tanglefoot Bay, AK

Tanglefoot Bay, AK | 2003-Aug-20

Initial Notification: On Wednesday, August 20, 2003, it was reported to Coast Guard MSO Anchorage that the F/V Donna Ann, a 50' wooden-hulled boat built in 1947, ran aground after dragging anchor in gale force winds from the NW. The vessel was anchored in Tanglefoot Bay adjacent the community of Karluk on the west side of Kodiak Island. The vessel had 1000 gallons of diesel and finally came to rest at position N57-34.4, W154-29.4 where an on-scene observer reported surf crashing through the wheelhouse. Planned CG helo overflight for August 21 was canceled due to the helo mechanical problems. Instead the CG opened up the Liability Trust Fund and hired a fixed wing Beaver to fly from Kodiak and assess the situation, the report from which won't be available until the morning of August 22. NOAA has provided support with weather and resources at risk information. By Thursday night, Aug. 21, the NW winds are expected to drop to 5-15 kts, and by late Friday the wind should shift around to the SW at 10-15 kts. The grounding site is about one-half mile east of Cape Karluk, the site of a seabird rookery and about one mile west of the village of Karluk and the Karluk Lagoon which supports salmon runs May through November. The Lagoon is also the site of sea ducks, occasional sea otters, and occasional brown bear activity. PolRep 2 and final: Joint Coast Guard/ADEC team flew to Karluk on Thursday afternoon, August 21, and were able to board the F/V Donna Ann. The wheelhouse had been separated from the hull as a result of the prolonged beating by the heavy surf and the old wooden hull was in pretty bad shape. It was determined that all the diesel had been purged from the tanks and been dispersed in the large and turbulent seas.