Coastguard Assist Stranded Army Ship
Coast Guard personnel are continuing to work with key stakeholders to clean and contain the area around the Army vessel Monterrey, which began taking on water Friday night and remains beached on Puffin Island. After a shoreline assessment by two Marine Safety Detachment Kodiak teams, two areas were identified for cleanup. Absorbent pads will be used to clean as much fuel from these areas as possible. Containment booms established around the Monterrey have reportedly remained effective and absorbent material on the booms is being replaced regularly. “We are continuing to work with our federal, state, and local agencies as well as industry representatives to minimize the impact of the fuel spill,” said Lt. Matthew Zinn, supervisor of MSD Kodiak.
Sinking US Army Vessel Beached
The Army vessel reportedly struck an object and began taking on water in Chiniak Bay. A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter was launched with dewatering and rescue equipment, to assist the Army crew aboard the Monterrey, a landing craft with the 481st Transportation Company located in Vallejo, Calif. To keep the vessel from sinking, the Monterrey crew successfully beached the vessel on Puffin Island. The crew reported a breach in an 8,000-gallon fuel tank and Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Kodiak personnel responded. The Coast Guard has contracted Alaska Chadux Corporation to assist in containing and cleaning up the fuel leak. While only one fuel tank has been reported as damaged, the Monterrey is reportedly carrying up to 40,000 gallons of fuel on board.
