Gastineau Channel News

Salvage workers have recovered a partially submerged tugboat at the National Guard Dock in Gastineau Channel, near Juneau, Alaska.the 107-foot tugboat Tagish was secured on the beach nearby on February 19, the U.S. Coast Guard said.Melino’s Marine Services, the contracted salvage company, successfully removed the vessel with its barge and crane system.Contractors dewatered and defueled the vessel prior to dismantling it and placing the sections on a barge for final disposal out-of-state.“The cooperative efforts from federal…

Removal operations for a tug partially submerged at the National Guard Dock in Gastineau Channel, near Juneau, Alaska, are scheduled, weather pending, to be conducted this week and into the weekend, the U.S. Coast Guard said.Melino’s Marine Services, the contracted salvage company, plans to remove the vessel utilizing a barge and crane system that are currently enroute from Bellingham, Wash.The operation is expected to take multiple days pending weather conditions. Once the vessel is removed…

A derelict tugboat abandoned near Juneau, Alaska since 2016, has been towed to sea and scuttled in the Gulf of Alaska, the U.S. Coast Guard said.The Lumberman had been causing problems for locals since it was abandoned in the Gastineau channel five years ago, and the decision was made to dispose of the vessel at sea after the 107-foot steel hulled tugboat was determined to be derelict and a significant risk to public safety, according to the Coast Guard.The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ)…

The U.S. Coast Guard received approval for removal and destruction of tugboat Challenger under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWCPA). An incident command will be established and operations will begin Monday, February 1, to manage the removal of the tugboat that sank in Juneau’s Gastineau Channel September 12, 2015. The operation could take weeks to complete. “Our highest priorities are safety to the environment and safety of operations and responders,” said Capt. Shannan D. Greene, federal on-scene coordinator for the tug Challenger response and the commander of Coast Guard Sector Juneau. The Coast Guard hired divers in September…

Alaska's Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Natural Resources joined Coast Guard Sector Juneau personnel in responding to the tugboat, Challenger, which sank in Juneau's Gastineau channel September 12, 2015. Global Diving & Salvage and Southeast Alaska Lighterage (SEAL) were contracted and have removed all accessible pollution sources and hazards from the vessel. SEAL replaced the boom around the vessel today. The Coast Guard and DEC will continue monitoring for any further oil seepage and environmental impacts.

In this photo, the crew aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf prepares to navigate through the Gastineau Channel prior to mooring in Juneau April 10, 2011. The Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf is beginning the cutter’s second patrol and first patrol in Alaskan waters. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Walter Shinn.

Investigators from the Coast Guard marine safety office here are continuing to look into what caused a Holland America cruise ship to spill partially treated wastewater into Gastineau Channel here August 17. The Juneau Harbormaster contacted the Coast Guard around 8 p.m. August 17 reporting that a brownish color substance discharged form the Ryndam. Coast Guard MSO Juneau investigators responded to the scene immediately and took samples of the discharge flowing from the Ryndam. Preliminary findings suggest that roughly 40,000 gallons of wastewater from sinks, showers and the sewage system transferring into the number six portside double bottom holding tank exceeded capacity, and subsequently discharged out a vent and into Alaska waters.