U.S. Coast Guard photograph
The Coast Guard was responding yesterday to a gasoline barge that settled within the mud and started to indicate indicators of structural stress whereas offloading petroleum product on the Naknek River in Naknek, Alaska.
“No pollution has been observed and no one has been injured,” stated a Coast Guard information launch. “Product is currently being offloaded from the barge, and approximately 50,330 gallons of gasoline and 95,410 gallons of diesel remain onboard.”
The Coast Guard and contracted cleanup professionals have been standing by on web site within the occasion that any gasoline entered the water.
Personnel aboard the Crowley BC-152 barge reported to the Coast Guard at roughly midday Tuesday that the barge had settled within the mud, and that the deck of the barge was displaying indicators of stress, together with a cracked test valve.
Coast Guard Sector Anchorage instantly diverted Marine Safety Task Force responders working within the area to evaluate the scenario.
“This barge did not run aground, but became stuck in the mud during low tide yesterday as it was offloading product,” stated Lt. James Nunez, incident administration division chief for Coast Guard Sector Anchorage. “Our job is to ensure the potential for pollution in this situation is mitigated. We will continue to stand by on site until the product is offloaded and we are satisfied that there is no longer a threat. Protecting the environment is our top priority.”
