Tug May; Frederick Sound, Alaska

Frederick Sound, Alaska | 1992-Nov-22

Initial Notification: On November 22, 1992, while pulling a tow of floating logs in calm water, the tug May suddenly capsized and sank in 50 fathoms at the mouth of Farragut Bay. One crewmember escaped; three others went down with the vessel and were presumed drowned. The USCG launched an unsuccessful search and rescue mission that lasted about ten days. The tug had 7,000 gallons of diesel onboard and immediately released several hundred gallons when it sank. The log boom, which was still attached, positioned itself directly over the sunken vessel and the oil released contaminated it. After the initial release, fuel continued to rise from the vessel at the rate of a few gallons per hour causing a small surface sheen that evaporated and dispersed rapidly. USCG district 17. Keyword: evaporation.