KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
On Saturday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment salvaged a vessel that sank early Friday morning in St. Herman Harbor. The FWS research vessel Arlluk was discovered by the Harbormaster around 3:30 a.m. Upon discovery, a containment boom was deployed around the vessel to minimize pollution.
The Coast Guard MSD was notified and personnel arrived on-scene at 3:50 a.m. The wildlife service contracted Lazy Bay LLC personnel help with refloating the 63-foot vessel.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Grant DeVyst said the cause of the sinking is still unknown, and the fish and wildlife service is leading the investigation. He said there was reported to be about 1,500 gallons of diesel fuel onboard when the vessel sank.
Bruce Woods is a spokesperson for the wildlife service and said the vessel served as an undercover drug boat before it was purchased by the FWS.
— (Arlluk Sank 1 :47 “The Arlluk was … value of the ship was $2.5 million.”)
The Arlluk is owned by the Alaska Peninsula and Becharof National Wildlife Refuges, and winters in Kodiak.
