F/V SEA ERN Grounding; Kodiak Island, Alaska

Kodiak Island, AK | 2025-Sep-02

Initial Notification: Around 0700 on Sept. 1, 2025, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Marine Safety Unit Kodiak was notified that the fishing vessel SEA ERN (106 foot, 197GT) grounded in Izhut Bay off Afognak Island, Kodiak, Alaska. A good samaritan vessel was able to assist the SEA ERN and ground it on a sandy beach nearby to prevent the vessel from sinking but it had sustained a 12’x1’ gash in the bow that exposed two tanks totaling 4,000 gallons, with an estimated 3,500G diesel discharged into the bay. The vessel has an additional 12,790G aboard, totaling 16,290. The USCG requested a fuel fate and trajectory, assistance with the resources at risk, and Endangered Species Act and Essential Fish Habitat Consultation. The NOAA National Weather Service also provided spot weather forecasts. The vessel was patched and towed to Kodiak Harbor by the vessel salvage contractor. Oil sheen was found near "Whale Beach" where the vessel grounded and in Little and Big Kitoi Bay. Kodiak Regional Aquaculture Association's Kitoi Bay Fish Hatchery deployed exclusion boom, however, sheen was noted in Big Kitoi Bay, where they are located. The sheen naturally dissipated.