Tanker refloated after grounding off Alaska

The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:

(ANCHORAGE, Alaska) — The Coast Guard responded to a report of the 599-foot Norway-flagged chemical tanker Champion Ebony after it ran aground near Nunivak Island, Alaska, on Friday morning.

The crew of Champion Ebony was able to refloat the vessel and make way under its own power to deeper water at approximately 0928, reported no signs of pollution, and is anchored to assess for damages.

Coast Guard Sector Anchorage watch standers received a report from the National Response Center at 0924 that the vessel Champion Ebony ran aground carrying approximately 14.2 million gallons of various fuel products.

The captain of Champion Ebony reported that no pollution or injuries resulted from the incident. An Air Station Kodiak C-130 Hercules airplane crew conducted an overflight of the tanker and reported no signs of pollution in the vicinity of the tanker.

“Our primary concern is to protect the environment,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Lindsey Green, a Sector Anchorage watch stander. “The Coast Guard takes tanker grounding reports seriously and we are conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the incident.”

Champion Ebony is a double-hulled vessel that had 24 crewmembers aboard at the time of the incident.  

Weather on scene was reported as calm winds, overcast with 3-foot seas.

By Professional Mariner Staff