T/B Callapooya; Hydaburg, Prince of Wales Island, Alaska

Hydaburg, Prince of Wales Island, Alaska | 1987-Feb-26

Initial Notification: Late in the evening of February 25, 1987, the T/B Callapooya, en route to Craig, Alaska from Hydaburg, Alaska, grounded in the Sukkwan Narrows across from Hydaburg. The grounding ruptured the number 1 starboard tank, releasing approximately 9,000 gallons of number 2 diesel, from a total tankage of 289,000 gallons. The spill occurred on a rising tide and was initially carried north by the strong tidal current action. On the reversing tidal current, the diesel was carried directly over fish subsistence clam beds just offshore from Hydaburg. The clam beds are the source of cockles, butter, horse, double-neck and razor clams. Eventually, the current carried a sheen 6-7 miles southeast into Hetta Inlet. The barge was owned by Halverson Towing, who assumed full responsibility for any cleanup operations. USCG district 17.