F/V Melissa Chris; Otstoia Island, Peril Straits, Alaska

Otstoia Island, Peril Straits, Alaska | 1988-Aug-19

Initial Notification: On August 18, 1988, the Melissa Chris, a 78-foot, wooden-hulled fish processing vessel, ran aground on Otstoia Island, 60 miles southwest of Juneau. The vessel, listing up to 40?, carried 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel and lube oil. A sheen was reported coming off the vessel. Initially, the captain thought that he would be able to refloat the vessel on the next high tide, at 2000. However, a U.S. Coast Guard overflight on August 19 revealed that the Melissa Chris was lying on her starboard side. USCG district 17.