F/V Francis Lee; Southeast of Kodiak Island, Alaska

Southeast of Kodiak Island, Alaska | 1993-Jul-23

Initial Notification: On the morning of July 23, 1993, the F/V Francis Lee ran aground on the north side of Two-headed Island, AK with 24,000 gallons of diesel onboard. A hole in the #3 tank resulted in a two and one-half mile sheen to the northeast. USCG Cutter Mustang arrived on scene shortly thereafter and helped dewater the vessel. A total of 14,000 gallons of diesel were pumped from the Francis Lee into a barge before the vessel was light enough to be pulled off the reef. The vessel was declared a total lose. The original plan was for the Mustang to tow Francis Lee beyond the three-mile limit and scuttle it; however, shortly after being pulled from the reef on July 25 the vessel capsized and was scuttled in 50 fathoms of water between Two-headed Island and the island of Kodiak. The Francis Lee went down with approximately 2,000 gallons of diesel still onboard. Winds ranged from 15 to 25 knots from the south throughout this incident. USCG district 17. Keyword: evaporation.