The Coast Guard presented members of Juneau’s Docks and Harbors with a citation for their response to the nuisance vessel Lumberman and several other spill responses.
“You are commended for your outstanding performance of duties while overseeing and aiding the responses to multiple marine environmental threats from January 2020 through October 2020,” read the citation, presented at a City and Borough of Juneau Assembly meeting on May 24. “Most notably, your response to and subsequent stewardship of the derelict towing vessel Lumberman, a local nuisance vessel since 2017, was exceptional.”
Capt. Stephen White, commander of Sector Juneau, presented port director Carl Uchytil with the citation during the Monday night meeting. The Coast Guard was closely involved in the disposal of the Lumberman, from when it strayed into city waters, up to towing it behind the cutter John McCormick earlier this month.
“You further demonstrated your dedication to preserving the local marine environment by your thorough response efforts to the sinking of two recreational vessels, the Athena Rose and the Illiaska, due to the overload of ice and snow from an early winter storm,” the citation said. “Your swift action and coordination between Coast Guard personnel, vessel owners and contractors prevented the impact of 250 gallons of diesel fuel from entering the Gastineau Channel and quickly resolved both incidents.”
The Coast Guard recently held a major exercises practicing spill containment techniques out in the Gastineau Channel near Savikko Park. The Coast Guard and local contractors, many based here in Juneau, play a major role in containing spills throughout the Southeast.
“Your invaluable contributions to the Coast Guard’s readiness mission, spirit of partnership, and dedication to public service are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard,” the citation finishes. “Thank you for a job well done.”
• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.
