F/V Nordic Viking Sinks in the Seward Boat Harbor

Here's the latest incident report of the F/V Nordic Viking sinking in the Seward Boat Harbor.

F/V Nordic Viking Sinking Seward T‐Dock
SITREP #: 2

SPILL #: 18239934301
TIME/DATE OF DISTRIBUTION: 3:00 P.M. December 11, 2018

POTENTIAL RESPONSIBLE PARTY (PRP): Larry March

INCIDENT LOCATION: City of Seward Harbor T‐Dock

TIME/DATE OF SPILL: 11:30 am, December 9, 2018

HOW/WHEN SPILL WAS DISCOVERED AND REPORTED: The release was reported to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) at 12:45 pm on December 9, 2018 by the City of Seward harbormaster after the sunken fishing vessel was discovered.

TYPE/AMOUNT OF PRODUCT SPILLED: An unknown amount of marine diesel and other petroleum products were released from the sunken fishing vessel. The vessel reportedly has a capacity of 2,000 gallons of marine diesel as well as a 500‐gallon gasoline tank on the stern deck of the vessel, and unknown amount of engine oils. The Responsible party reported that the hull tanks had between 600 and 700 gallons of marine diesel. The deck tank reportedly contained 50 gallons of gasoline.

CAUSE OF SPILL: Vessel sinking. The cause of the sinking is unknown at this time.

SOURCE CONTROL: The Responsible Party hired a salvage contractor, Stormchasers on December 9th. The salvage contractor conducted diving operations on December 10, 2018 and plugged vents in the hull’s fuel tanks.

RESPONSE ACTION: The harbormaster deployed absorbent boom and the salvage contractor, hired by the Responsible Party, deployed containment boom on December 9th. Containment boom that was deployed Sunday December 9th failed when the vessel shifted and pulled the boom under. United States Coast Guard (USCG) personnel arrived on scene on December 9th. Two ADEC responders arrived on scene December 10th and worked with the RP to deploy boom and bird deterrents (mylar balloons) in Scheffler Creek and the lagoon.

ADEC responders monitored ongoing operations at the dock, observed for wildlife, and began assessing shoreline impact. An additional USCG responder was deployed from Sector Anchorage and arrived on December 10th. The salvage contractor conducted diving operations to plug fuel tank vents and retrieve the containment boom that was pulled under the vessel. The containment boom was again deployed around the vessel and will be monitored frequently as operations continue.

RESOURCES AT RISK OR AFFECTED: Steller sea lions, an Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed species, and sea otters have been observed in the vicinity of the area impacted by the release. Other marine mammals that may
be present in the impacted area (harbor and Resurrection Bay) include harbor seals, Dall’s porpoise, harbor porpoise, minke whales, gray whales and ESA‐listed fin whales and humpback whales.

Scheffler Creek, its tributaries, and lagoon are anadromous. Wild runs of sockeye and pink salmon occur here, with most spawning in the lagoon or above it.

Migratory birds most likely to be in the vicinity of the impacted area include waterfowl, shorebirds, and loons. Birds have been observed in the vicinity of the spill, including magpies, grebes (horned and red‐throated), scoters (surf, white‐winged, and black), harlequins, golden eyes, buffleheads, loons, gulls, mergansers, and possibly murrelets. Eagles, ravens, and crows may be present.

There is information on the response webpage for how to report live or dead oiled wildlife (see link below). At the time of distribution no oiled wildlife, live or dead, has been reported.

Sportfishing may be occurring in the vicinity of the release. Vessels entering the harbor may transit the impacted area.

FUTURE PLANS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The ADEC and USCG continue to work with the Responsible Party to respond to the release. Responders from the USCG and ADEC are in Seward conducting assessments to determine if additional cleanup activities are warranted and will observe wildlife in and near the impacted area. An oil spill response organization, Chadux, is being deployed to Seward. The salvage contractor is developing a salvage plan.

SOSCr: Lisa Krebs‐Barsis, ADEC FOSCr: Jeffry Crews, USCG Responsible Party: Larry March
TIME/DATE OF THE NEXT REPORT DISTRIBUTION: As situation requires.