Coast Guard, contractors respond to pollution threat from derelict barge on Kodiak Island, Alaska

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 04/27/2019 03:53 PM EDT

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U.S. Coast Guard 17th District Alaska
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Coast Guard, contractors respond to pollution threat from derelict barge on Kodiak Island, Alaska

 

A Coast Guard pollution investigator from Marine Safety Detachment Kodiak inspects a grounded, derelict barge on the southeast shoreline of Womens Bay on Kodiak Island, Alaska, April 26, 2019. Containment boom was placed around the barge after the Coast Guard observed a light, rainbow-colored sheen coming from the vicinity of the barge. U.S. Coast Guard photo by MSD Kodiak

A light, rainbow-colored sheen was observed coming from the vicinity of this derelict barge on the southeast shoreline of Womens Bay on Kodiak Island, Alaska, April 25, 2019. Coast Guard pollution investigators from Marine Safety Detachment Kodiak are working with contractors to mitigate the pollution threat. U.S. Coast Guard photo by MSD Kodiak

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KODIAK, Alaska — The Coast Guard is working with contractors Saturday to mitigate the potential pollution threat posed by a derelict barge on the shoreline of Womens Bay on Kodiak Island.

The Coast Guard verified an approximate 300-yard long, 1-yard wide, patchy, rainbow-colored sheen coming from the vicinity of the barge that has been grounded on shoreline of the southeast corner of Womens Bay for several years. The Coast Guard opened the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for $150,000, and hired Global Diving and Salvage to assess the situation and help mitigate the pollution threat.

Containment boom has been placed around the barge. Contractors plan to begin pumping product from the barge Saturday afternoon.

Coast Guard pollution investigators from Marine Safety Detachment Kodiak initially responded to a report Thursday morning of a rainbow-colored sheen coming from the vicinity of the barge.

The maximum potential for fuel and or oily waste that remain on the barge and the barge’s owner are still unknown.

"Our job is to ensure the potential for pollution in this situation is mitigated," said Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Emily Clore, Federal On Scene Coordinator Representative for the case. "The sheening so far is relatively light, and seems to be discharging intermittently, at a slow rate. But protecting the pristine maritime environment surrounding Kodiak Island is our top priority here."

 

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