KODIAK, Alaska — The Coast Guard is monitoring a reported diesel sheen from the grounded 81-foot fishing vessel Savannah Ray off Long Island near Kodiak, Alaska, Friday.
Global Diving and Salvage has been hired to salvage the vessel, and Marine Safety Detachement Kodiak personnel will oversee the salvage operations to mitigate potential pollution.
Coast Guard Sector Anchorage watchstanders received a report from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Thursday afternoon that the vessel, which has been grounded since Feb. 16, 2015, started sheening.
A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew with a member of the Marine Safety Detachment Kodiak conducted an overflight assessment Thursday evening and observed diesel sheen from the vessel that was approximately 300 to 500 feet in size. Coast Guard response personnel also reported the sheen was light and weathered and extended to the south away from Long Island.
“We continue to monitor the situation and have not observed any impacts to the shoreline or wildlife, or any visible damage to the hull of the vessel,” said Chief Petty Officer Bryce Yturbe, Marine Safety Detachment Kodiak. “According to NOAA’s trajectory and fate analysis, high energy conditions will cause the sheen to evaporate and disperse relatively quickly.”
Sector Anchorage has implemented a half-mile safety zone for the vessel and continues to send out broadcast notice to mariners. This safety zone will be in effect through March 18, 2015.
