T/B 283; Shumagin Islands, Western Gulf of Alaska

Shumagin Islands, Western Gulf of Alaska | 1988-Dec-28

Initial Notification: REPORT FIVE, UMTB 283,POTENTIAL MAJOR DIESEL SPILL, SIMEONOF ISL AK THE FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF COTP WESTERN ALASKA POLREPS FOUR AND FIVE 1. SITUATION A. 1530 LT, 30 DEC 88-TUG SKIPPER REPORTS THAT BARGE REMAINS IN THE SAME ATTITUDE AND ESTIMATES THAT 50 FT OF BARGE REMAINS ABOVE WATER. ALSO REPORTS THAT BARGE MAY BE TAKING ON WATER AS IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE REACTING TO WAVES AS BEFORE. B. M/V SALVAGE CHIEF, FORCED BY HIGH WINDS TO USE INSIDE PASSAGE HAS AN ETA OF 4 JAN 89. TUG MARINE RETRIEVER AND BARGE 281 WITH SALVAGE AND LIGHTERING EQUIPMENT EXPECTED TO DEPART SEATTLE 31 DEC WITH AN ETA OF 11-14 JAN 89. C. DUE TO BARGE'S PERSISTENCE IN SAME GENERAL AREA, OWNER BELIEVES STERN ANCHOR DEPLOYED AND DRAGGING ON BOTTOM. OWNER TENTATIVELY PLANS TO FREE ANCHOR WITH SALVAGE CHIEF, SECURE P/V VALVES AND OTHER VENTS WITH DIVERS; THEN MOVE BARGE 283 TOWARD STEPOVAK BAY AND AWAIT ARRIVAL OF TUG MARINE RETRIEVER AND BARGE 281. USCG district 17.