Norway-flagged tanker gauging damage after Bering Sea mishap

ANCHORAGE — A nearly 600-foot chemical tanker ran aground on an Alaska island in the Bering Sea.

The Coast Guard said there were no signs of pollution or injury to the 24-member crew after it hit Nunivak Island on Friday morning. The ship is carrying 14.2 million gallons of various fuel products.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Kelly Parker said they are investigating why the Champion Ebony, sailing under a Norway flag, ran aground.

The Champion Ebony crew refloated the ship, and it sailed under its own power in calm seas to deeper water for damage assessment.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game website says Nunivak Island is about 135 miles west of the hub community of Bethel. About 200 people and 500 musk oxen live on the island.

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