F/V Aldebaran; Revillagigedo Channel, AK

Revillagigedo Channel, AK | 2007-Aug-18

Initial Notification: MSD Ketchikan reported to Alaska SSC (at 0900 ADT, Aug. 18) that the 58' F/V Aldebaran sank at 0116 ADT, Sat., August 18, on the west side of Bold Island at 55-14.63N, 131-26.25W, in 75-80 fathoms of water. Vessel had 800 gallons of #2 diesel and 50 gallons of hydraulic fluid on board. Vents were successfully pluged prior to vessel sinking, however; fuel began surfacing from the sunken vessel. A Coast Guard overflight on late Saturday morning revealed a silvery to rainbow sheen extending 3-4 miles NW of the capsizing site. A subsequent overflight on Monday morning, Aug. 20, showed a dramatically reduced amount of fuel surfacing from the sunken vessel.