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News Release

Date: July 27, 2010

Contact: Petty Officer 1st Class David Mosley

(907) 321-4510

Update 2: Coast Guard responds to Seattle fishing vessel aground in Prince William Sound

Imagery Available

VALDEZ, Alaska – The Coast Guard Cutter Long Island homeported in Valdez provides logistical support during the lightering and salvaging operations to safely retrieve the fishing vessel Cape Cross which ran aground in Main Bay in Prince William Sound July 26, 2010. The fishing vessel Cape Cross crew was able to cover all fuel vents to restrict potential flow of fuel from releasing into the bay. U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of the Coast Guard Cutter Long Island.   VALDEZ, Alaska – The fishing vessel Cape Cross lies on its side after crews were unable to refloat the vessel which ran aground in Main Bay in Prince William Sound July 26, 2010. The fishing vessel crew was able to cover all fuel vents to restrict potential flow of fuel from the vessel before it rolled on its side at approximately 5:15 a.m. July 27, 2010. U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of the Coast Guard Cutter Long Island.   VALDEZ, Alaska – The damaged hull of the fishing vessel Cape Cross lies exposed after the vessel rolled on its side on its side at approximately 5:15 a.m. July 27, 2010. The vessel’s crews was unable to refloat the vessel after they ran aground and started taking on water in Main Bay in Prince William Sound July 26, 2010.. U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of the Coast Guard Cutter Long Island.   ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A navigational chart shows the location of the fishing vessel Cape Cross which went aground in Main Bay in Prince William Sound, Monday. Also shown on the chart is the location of the Main Bay Salmon Hatchery, which is more than one mile southwest from the Cape Cross. Chart courtesy of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

Editors note: Click on images above for high resolution photos,
for media updates please contact Lt. Erin Christensen at 907-831-0236
or Petty Officer 1st Class David Mosley at 907-321-4510.

VALDEZ, Alaska – Three of the Ship Escort/Response Vessel System vessels have arrived on scene with the fishing vessel Cape Cross in Main Bay at approximately 1:45 pm and have completely surrounded the vessel with boom containing the sheen and any potential fuel release from the vessel. 

Although the vessel’s fuel tanks do not appear to have been breached or leaking response crews have commenced exclusionary booming of the Main Bay Salmon Hatchery before lightering of fuel aboard the Cape Cross can begin. 

Responders are assessing the stability of the Cape Cross through the tidal phases.  Low tide is at 6:30 am Wednesday. 

During low tide, R and R Diving Company plans to install a temporary patch on the hull of the vessel.  When the patch is secure, the Cape Cross will be repositioned to facilitate the lightering of all fuel onboard.  Once all fuel is removed and the vessel is stable, efforts to remove the vessel from Main Bay may commence. 

The owner hired Alaskan Marine Surveyor to assist with pollution response and salvage of the vessel.  The marine surveyor is heading to Main Bay and expected on scene Tuesday evening.

The Coast Guard Cutter Long Island remains on scene to enforce the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s closure of the commercial fishery in Main Bay.  A Coast Guard helicopter overflight is scheduled to take place Wednesday to gain a better perspective of the response and determine any environment impact to the bay.

The Coast Guard continues to investigate the cause of the grounding and is monitoring all phases of the response and salvage. 

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