T/V UNICORN DEREK; Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands | 1989-Feb-16

Initial Notification: On February 16, 1989, the tanker UNICORN DEREK ran aground on the western side of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, approximately 600 yards from the entrance to the Spanish Town Yacht Harbor. The tanker carried 1,500 barrels of diesel, 2,500 barrels of gasoline, 2,260 barrels of kerosene, and 21 tons of bunker C fuel. The initial report to the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office (MSO), San Juan, Puerto Rico, indicated that a small quantity of gas and diesel were leaking into the water from two tanks. A tug and barge were brought in to lighter the vessel before refloating her. A small sheen was seen around the vessel but it did not appear to persist and did not impact any shoreline. Divers found a slight amount of damage to the hull in the area of the number 4 tank. The sheens diminished after the gas in the tank was shifted to an undamaged tank. USCG district 7.