F/V Valiant Maid Sinking; Offshore Cordova, AK

Offshore Cordova, AK | 2003-Aug-19

Initial Notification: On August 19, 2003, it was reported to Coast Guard MSO Valdez that the skipper of the 54' long F/V Valiant Maid, hit a submerged rock and capsized in 45 feet of water on the NW side of Spike Island just offshore from the town of Cordova in Prince William Sound. The location of the sunken vessel was N60-33.0, W145-46.3, and it went down with an estimated 500 gallons of diesel in an area of very strong tidal currents. A long oil slick was noted on the surface, and it was believed that this was just the fuel emanating from the vents and that the two fuel tanks were intact. Trying to beat some forecast heavy winds for the night of August 19, the owner immediately hired divers to plug the vents. In so doing the divers noted that the starboard tank was empty of an estimated 200 gallons of diesel. The next day, when the strong winds never materialized, divers again descended to the vessel to attempt to pump out the port fuel tank, but found it empty also. Apparently all the fuel had escaped the first day and been rapidly dispersed by the strong tidal currents, and there was probably less than 500 gallons of diesel on the vessel when in sank. NOAA provided support to the CG with weather, tidal and resources at risk information. Several sea otters and seabirds were in the vicinity, but a wildlife observer from the local Eyak native community noted no abnormal behavior.