FV Mary Kay; Cape Chacon, SE Alaska

Cape Chacon, SE Alaska | 2012-Jul-27

Initial Notification: ERD was notified by CG MSD Ketchikan around noon on July 27, 2012,that the 78' FV Mary Kay sank in 85 fathoms of water immediately south of Cape Chacon at the southern end of SE Alaska with 2450 gallons of diesel on board. The cause of the sinking was apparently attributed to an excessive internal transfer of sea water to the bow of the vessel causing the vessel to tilt nose-down and sink. All POB were rescued by a Good Sam. Weather at the time of the sinking was 15 kts SW wind, 3 ft seas. The CG has asked for a trajectory and possible fate of the diesel. After the sinking, folks on the Good Sam vessel detected a definite odor of diesel. Initial fly overs by ADFG regarding commercial fisheries openings showed some ribbons of sheen. However by Monday, July 30, no sheen was detectable by the ADFG and CG observers. It is currently uncertain whether all the diesel escaped. Case closed out on August 1, 2012