Coast Guard monitoring response to grounded barge near Bethel, Alaska

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Shawn Eggert | The barge DBL165-1 rests grounded in the mud of the Kongiganak River near Bethel, Alaska, June 4, 2015. Coast Guard personnel are monitoring response efforts to remove the barge from the mud. (U.S. Coast Guard photo provided by Air Station Kodiak)  

ANCHORAGE, AK, UNITED STATES

06.05.2015

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Shawn Eggert 

U.S. Coast Guard District 17

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Coast Guard is responding to a barge grounded on the Kongiganak River near Bethel Friday.

The barge DBL165-1 grounded with 50,000 gallons of jet fuel, 17,000 gallons of diesel fuel and 1,000 gallons of regular unleaded fuel aboard while being pushed by the tug vessel Nanchik. Attempts at re-floating the barge at high tide have failed.

An examination of the barge revealed no damage to the tanks or hull. A Coast Guard C-130 Hercules plane crew from Air Station Kodiak conducted an over flight of the vessel. No pollution or injuries have been reported.

"Our way forward is to continue working with the vessel owner and response crews to re-float the barge," said Cmdr. Shane Montoya, deputy commander, Sector Anchorage. "The safety of responders and the environment are our top priorities, and there have not been any reports or signs of pollution."

A Coast Guard pollution responder and marine inspector are scheduled to conduct onsite assessments of the response.

The weather on scene is calm with good visibility.

• Date Taken: 06.05.2015
• Date Posted: 06.05.2015 17:45
• Story ID: 165680
• Location: ANCHORAGE, AK, US