Stryker Barge Grounding; North Slope, Alaska

North Slope, Alaska | 2010-Sep-15

Initial Notification: The Sector Anchorage Coast Guard reported to NOAA SSC that at approximately 11:30 am on Sept. 14, the barge, Stryker, owned by Bowhead Transportation that the barge and wheelhouse partially separated causing the stern of the barge to partially sink and ground the stern in nine feet of water off the Colville Delta. A small quantity of diesel was released from the day tank causing a small sheen. The vessel contained approximately 1200 gallons of diesel fuel. The barge was under contract to Pioneer Natural Resources Co. who immediately called in Alaska Clean Seas, their OSRO for the North Slope. ACS responded and close all the tank valves. On the morning overflight on Sept. 15 no sheen was observed. The vessel was judged to be in stable condition and awaited salvors to refloat and reattach the barge. and tug. No assistance from NOAA was requested. Weather was mild with 15-20 knot winds from east. Prior to reattaching the tug to the barge, as much diesel as possible was lightered from the tug. The remaining fuel had to await leveling and reattachment. The combo was then towed to the Oliktok Point deck for final inspection.