US Coast Guard approved a transit plan for the tug Samson Mariner to head south for repairs in Seattle with an escort tug and both departed Ketchikan on 22 February. The vessel ran aground on 15 February and released approximately 1,100 gallons of fuel in the vicinity of Rosa Reef in north Tongass Narrows, Alaska.
The barge, St Elias, had temporary repairs made in Ketchikan. The Coast Guard approved a plan for a tug owned by Brusco Tug & Barge Co to tow St Elias and continue to Dutch Harbor. Permanent repairs will be made when St Elias returns to Seattle.
Coast Guard personnel worked in partnership with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Southeast Alaska Petroleum Response Organization, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Alaska Commercial Divers in response to the grounding of the Samson Mariner.
“Our crews and partner agencies worked tenaciously to mitigate the fuel and bring the Tongass Narrows back to normal, not only for the environment but also the local maritime community,” said Cmdr. Michael Kahle, Coast Guard Sector Juneau chief of response.
USCG noted that no sheen or further pollution has been reported.
Source & Image credit: USCG
