Fuel barge grounded in Alaska
KeithF4281
Regards, Keith
July 2, 2002
By Chief Petty Officer Marshalena Delaney
mdel...@cgalaska.uscg.mil
After 4:30 p.m. call (907) 463-2000
Release: 160-02
Coast Guard monitoring grounded barge near Emmonak
KODIAK, Alaska - The Coast Guard Marine Safety Office in Anchorage is
monitoring a grounded barge near Emmonak on the Yukon River today.
Personnel from Crowley Marine Services reported to the Coast Guard that barge
BC-151 was aground on a mud flat on the south entrance of the Yukon River since
Friday. The barge is carrying 111,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline, 122,000
gallons of jet-A fuel, and 100 100-pound propane tanks. At this time there are
no reports of pollution or damage to the barge’s holding tanks.
The tug Kuparuk River attempted to free the barge during several high tides but
had been unsuccessful. The Kuparuk River crew will make one more attempt to
re-float the barge at the next high tide. If this attempt is unsuccessful, then
Crowley Marine Services will remove the product from barge BC-151 to another
barge. A lightering plan must be submitted to the MSO for approval before
operations can commence.
The tug and barge were en route Emmonak when the grounding occurred. The barge
is about 200 yards from the center of the channel and is not considered a
hazard to navigation.
An investigation team from the MSO will meet with the crew and inspect the
barge in either Emmonak or Nome.