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News Release

Date: July 28, 2010

Contact: Petty Officer 1st Class David Mosley

(907) 321-4510

Update 3: Coast Guard responds to Seattle fishing vessel aground in Prince William Sound

Imagery Available

VALDEZ, Alaska - Coast Guard crews and salvers are on scene working to lighter the fuel from the tanks on board the fishing vessel Cape Cross and remove the vessel from the bay July 27, 2010. The fishing vessel 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. U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of the Coast Guard Cutter Long Island.    VALDEZ, Alaska - Coast Guard crews and salvers are on scene working to lighter the fuel from the tanks on board the fishing vessel Cape Cross and remove the vessel from the bay July 27, 2010. The fishing vessel 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. U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of the Coast Guard Cutter Long Island.   VALDEZ, Alaska - A Kodiak-based Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircraft crew performs an areal survey of Main Bay to asses any potential environmental polution July 27, 2010. The fishing vessel 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. U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of the Coast Guard Cutter Long Island.   VALDEZ, Alaska - A Kodiak-based Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircraft crew performs an areal survey of Main Bay to asses any potential environmental polution July 27, 2010. The fishing vessel 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. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mathew Morris

Editors note: Click on images above for high resolution photos

VALDEZ, Alaska – Ship Escort/Response Vessel System response vessels completed deployment of exclusionary boom around Main Bay Hatchery and have surrounded the fishing vessel Cape Cross with containment boom Wednesday.

There are currently four R and R Diving vessels on scene with salvage equipment and divers who are verifying all fuel vents are secured, improving vessel stability and completing temporary repairs.

Lightering of approximately 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel on board the Cape Cross is expected to begin Wednesday evening following the approval of a lightering plan submitted by the salvage company to Marine Safety Unit Valdez.  Fishing vessels contracted through SERVS are actively recovering any discharged diesel fuel which remains outside of the boomed Cape Cross.

A Kodiak-based Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircraft over-flight revealed an undetermined amount of diesel was released. It's believed the discharge occurred after the vessel listed 90 degrees to port. The amount of fuel released in the bay cannot be determined until lightering is complete.

Marine Safety Unit Valdez personnel remain on scene aboard the SERVS’ tug Endurance to maintain close monitoring of response and salvage efforts.

There are five SERVS vessels, the Coast Guard Cutter Long Island, the fishing vessel Josie and the R and R Diving vessels on scene and helping with the ongoing response.

The investigation into the cause of the Cape Cross’s grounding is ongoing.

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