Tug Nathan Stewart & Tanker Barge Adrift; NE Gulf of Alaska

NE Gulf of Alaska | 2011-Dec-18

Initial Notification: Sector Juneau notified the AK SSC at 1600 on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, that the tug, Nathan E. Stewart operated by KC Transportation, and associated double-hulled fuel barge,DVL-55, were adrift off of Cape Fairweather in the NE Gulf of Alaska. The tug lost its starboard engine and its port engine was performing erratically and could only be used for emergencies. The barge has 2.5M gallons of #1 diesel and 1000 gallons of aviation gas. As of 1320 LT, the T&B position was 58° 27.6'N, 138° 21.9'W and gale force gusts were pushing the T&B parallel to the shore towards the NW. A Spot weather forecast was initiated with the Juneau NWS forecast office. Fortuitously, the tub barge TB Le Chevel Rouse was available from Hawk Inlet in northern SE Alaska to rush to the scene. It successfully towed the Nathan Stewart with its tanker barge to Skagway, Alaska, where repairs and other needed services were rendered.