FINAL UPDATE: Coast Guard approves transit plan for damaged tug

News Release

Feb. 23, 2017 U.S. Coast Guard 17th District Alaska Contact: Lt. Jennifer Ferreira Office: (907) 463-2835 After Hours: (907) 463-2065

FINAL UPDATE: Coast Guard approves transit plan for damaged tug

JUNEAU, Alaska — Coast Guard approved a transit plan for the tug Samson Mariner to head south for repairs in Seattle with an escort tug. Both departed Ketchikan on Tuesday.

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. The vessel ran aground and released approximately 1,100 gallons of fuel in the vicinity of Rosa Reef in north Tongass Narrows, Alaska, on Feb. 15.

“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.

No sheen or further pollution has been reported.

 

-USCG-