M/V Sun Tide; Upper Cook Inlet, Alaska

Upper Cook Inlet, Alaska | 1993-Aug-23

Initial Notification: At 0300 on August 23, 1993, the spill response vessel, M/V Sun Tide collided with the ARCO jack-up drilling rig, Gilbert Rowe, and ruptured a diesel fuel tank releasing 6,000 gallons into Upper Cook Inlet between the North Forelands and Possession Point. The first overflight at daylight reported a one- by two-mile rainbow sheen. Subsequent overflights showed the product to be dispersing and evaporating rapidly and by early afternoon the sheen had nearly disappeared. The vessel laid out its own boom and CISPRI deployed 18 response vessels, including nine fishing boats to tow boom. Weather was mild with light winds and a two-foot chop on the water. USCG district 17. Keyword: evaporation.