M/V Golden Seas; 70nm North of Adak Island, AK

70nm North of Adak Island, AK | 2010-Dec-03

Initial Notification: Sector Anchorage contacted NOAA ERD on the morning of 03DEC2010 about a 738' Liberian-flagged bulk carrier, the M/V Golden Seas, adrift 70nm North of Adak Island. She is carrying approximately 60,000MT of canola oil (Update: canola grain) on board, has lost one (and only) engine and is presently drifting to the SE at approximately 2knots. Seas are reported as 29ft with 35knot winds. Fuels onboard included 450,000 gallons of IFO, 11,780 gallons of diesel, and 10,000 gallons of lube oil. Ultimately, the Shell ocean-going tug, M/V Tor Viking, which had been temporarily stationed in Dutch Harbor and was waiting to tow the Shell drill vessel to the Beaufort Sea for summer 2011 work, was hired to attempt a rescue of the drifting M/V Golden Seas. On Saturday night, Dec. 4, it intercepted the Golden Seas and was able to attach an emergency towing harness to it, and three days later was able to tow it to anchor in Captains Bay at Dutch Harbor, Unalaska Island.