Tug Eastern Star; 400 yards W of the western Point Judith Harbor jetty, southern Rhode Island

400 yards W of the western Point Judith Harbor jetty, southern Rhode Island | 2000-Nov-17

Initial Notification: At approximately 0030 EST on Nov. 17, 2000 the 55 foot Tug "Eastern Star" sank after reporting that she was taking on water and heading for port. She sank approximately 200 yards off shore and 400 yards west of the western Point Judith Harbor jetty (southern Rhode Island). The responsible party (RP) reported her fuel capacity at 2,000 gallons of diesel oil, but believed she went down with less than 1500 gallons on board. Initial on scene reports at daylight suggest that the fuel tank vents may be leaking, but that a full release had likely not occured. The US Coast Guard, Marine Safety Office Providence is the federal On Scene Coordinator and has established a command post in Point Judith. USCG district 1.