F/V Controller Bay; Unimak Island at Cave Point, Alaska

Unimak Island at Cave Point, Alaska | 1999-May-08

Initial Notification: Early in the morning of May 8, 1999, with the vessel on autopilot, the master of the 78-foot F/V Controller Bay fell asleep at the wheel. The vessel went aground at Cave Point on Unimak Island releasing roughly 7000 gallons of fuels producing a sheen about 50 feet wide and 1 mile long stretching off to the north and east. The four members of the crew were rescued by another fishing boat. Heavy weather and high winds persisted throughout the area and contributed to the accident. On-scene conditions of 24-foot seas were reported. On a May 10 USCG overflight, the vessel was reported to be severely damaged and breaking up with only the stern visible. The powerful storm made it impossible to unload the fuel before the vessel broke up on the rocks. USCG district 17. Keyword: diesel, no response.