KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
Landing craft with two onboard intentionally grounded
CG Air Station Kodiak responded with two helos and C-130
Vessel could have up to 2,000 gallons of fuel oil
A 76-foot landing craft intentionally was intentionally grounded by its operator on Tuesday after it began taking on water near Cape Kuliuk.
The Coast Guard reported in a press release issued Wednesday that it is working with contractors to mitigate the pollution threat caused when the Don Quixote was grounded approximately two miles south of Cape Kuliuk.
The Don Quixote had two people onboard at the time.
The vessel remained grounded on a pebble beach with an estimated maximum potential fuel oil load of 2,000 gallons.
A Coast Guard overflight Wednesday morning confirmed minor sheening in the vicinity of the vessel.
The Coast Guard initially launched two MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crews and a C-130 Hercules Aircraft crew from Air Station Kodiak in response to distress calls made from the Don Quixote. Crews delivered dewatering pumps to help with the flooding.
The Coast Guard has opened the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. Contractors for Global Diving and Salvage are scheduled to arrive on-scene Thursday to evaluate the vessel’s seaworthiness and form a Coast Guard-approved plan to mitigate the pollution threat.
Lt. James Nunez, is the chief for the incident management division of Coast Guard Sector Anchorage.
He said in the press release that the Coast Guard’s job is to ensure the potential for pollution in this situation is mitigated. And that protecting the environment is the Coast Guard’s top priority.
The Coast Guard has opened the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. Contractors for Global Diving and Salvage are scheduled to arrive on-scene Thursday to evaluate the vessel’s seaworthiness and form a Coast Guard-approved plan to mitigate the pollution threat.
The cause of the flooding has not yet been verified by the Coast Guard.
