News
Share
Shop
Life
Visit
Boat runs aground outside Wrangell
Vessel leaks unknown quantity of diesel, pulls away under own power
  
|
Sound off on the important issues at
|
The vessel leaked some diesel before refloating, according to Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Barry Lane. Once it was back in the water, though, water flowed into the puncture hole and prevented any more seepage of fuel.
The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Anthony Petit arrived at the scene, 30 miles southwest of Wrangell. The cutter remained throughout the day. An Air Station Sitka helicopter sent at dawn found no evidence of a spill, Lane said.
The Southeast Alaska Petroleum Resource Organization is under contract with Trident to contain spills.
By Wednesday afternoon, the boat was anchored and surrounded by a boom. Divers were waiting for the currents to let up so they could assess damage to the ship.
Coast Guard and Trident spokesmen did not comment on the cause of the incident, as it was still under investigation.
The Dolphin was built in 1944, according to a Coast Guard database. The boat moves freight between Washington and Alaska. On Wednesday, it was headed to Akutan.
Nelson said he did not know who the captain was or what his safety record was. He said this was the first Trident boat to run aground for at least 15 years.
