Coast Guard, ADEC Establish Unified Command Respond To Oil Spill In Shuyak Strait, Alaska

Oil spill reported  in Shuyak Strait in Alaska. Photo: U.S. Coast Guard

Kodiak, AK–A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 helicopter crew and Marine Safety Detachment Kodiak pollution responders continue to conduct site assessments and implement preliminary cleanup efforts of a February 27 oil spill in Shuyak Strait in Alaska.

Inflatable containment boom was deployed to contain a lightly impacted beach to the immediate west of the spill site next to the boom already in place.

With the new section, 2,100-feet of boom has been deployed in Port William, and absorbent materials are set within the boom to collect the spilled product.

There have been no reports of impacted wildlife in the immediate or outlying areas of the spill site. Teams will continue to conduct twice-daily wildlife assessments of the area.

Response crews are waiting for an assessment of the structural stability of the dock and the building before implementing cleanup of the debris at the site.

“Our responders are diligently making progress on site assessment and oil containment,” said Capt. Sean MacKenzie, Unified Command’s Federal on Scene Coordinator. “Since arriving on scene the Unified Command has gained a better understanding of the next steps needed for site cleanup.”

The Coast Guard has contracted Alaska Chadux Corporation and the vessels of opportunity involved are the Sea Strike, Nuka Island, Cecile Marie and Tiger Cape.

The spill reportedly occurred in the morning after an abandoned building collapsed during extreme weather conditions. An oil fuel bladder located inside the building fell in the water releasing a max potential of 3,000 gallons of bunker C fuel oil.

“The Unified Command’s priorities are to limit environmental impacts through the containment and cleanup of the spill as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said Capt. Sean MacKenzie, Unified Command’s Federal on Scene Coordinator. “We are working diligently to minimize the impact to wildlife and the environment.”

Weather Monday was sustained winds of 40 mph with gusts up to 75 mph.