T/B Annahootz; Port of Anchorage

Port of Anchorage | 1994-Sep-01

Initial Notification: On the morning of September 1, 1994, the barge Annahootz spilled approximately 500 gallons of diesel into Cook Inlet while onloading at the Port of Anchorage. The spill occurred when oil flowed up through the No. 1 port expansion trunk and sounding tube saturating the barge's wooden deck. The response was initiated by Forty-Niner Transportation, the responsible party; but Verca, a local spill contractor, was hired to complete the response. The oil moved under the dock and out the north end in response to a back eddy from the ebbing tide. Containment boom and sorbents were deployed around the barge and at the north end of the dock. Sheen extended north along the shore 50 to 100 yards offshore from near the dock to the vicinity of Cairn Point. Overflight observers reported isolated ribbons and stringers of sheen with no more than 50 gallons of diesel on the water near Cairn Point and no wildlife activity on shore within four miles. Much of the diesel dispersed naturally in the energetic currents of Cook Inlet. However, the next morning MSO representatives noted approximately five small sheens in the dock area and judged that further cleanup was possible. Approximately 100 to 110 gallons of oil-water mix were recovered. The weather throughout the incident was light winds from the southwest and good visibility. USCG district 17. Keyword: evaporation.