Akutan Response Continues off Alaska
The response to potential pollution from the fishing vessel Akutan continues in Captains Bay near Unalaska, Alaska.
The U.S. Coast Guard, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and the city of Unalaska established a unified command, and responders are continuously monitoring levels of anhydrous ammonia and removing various petroleum products from the vessel. 5,000 gallons of oily water from the engine room bilge and 1,200 gallons of oily mixture from one of the slop tanks were removed Friday and Saturday.
On Saturday, the fishing vessel lost electrical power causing the levels of anhydrous ammonia to rise. Responders and Akutan crewmembers were able to restore power to the vessel and control anhydrous ammonia levels. Two Resolve Marine Services personnel are staying onboard the vessel with a four-person crew and a small boat has been moored alongside the Akutan in case of emergency.
“Removing some of the product over the weekend has improved the stability of the vessel,” said State On-Scene Coordinator Geoff Merrell, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. “We continue to work together to ensure minimal impact on the public and the environment.”
