Pathfinder Incident of December 23, 2009

At approximately 1840 on Wednesday, December 23, 2009 PWSRCAC was notified that the conventional tug Pathfinder went aground on Bligh Reef while performing regular ice scouting duties. This incident occurred at about 1814 on December 23. No one was injured in the incident. There was a release of diesel fuel however the amount is unknown.

The Pathfinder was off Bligh Reef and had anchored in 70 feet of water off the south west side of Busby Island at 1945. At the grounding site at the time of the incident winds were 18-27 knots from the SE with 3 foot swells, and the south west side of Busby it was calm and raining. Two of the tug's centerline diesel fuel tanks were reported breached with a potential spill of 33,500 gallons. The total capacity of the vessel is approximately 127,700 gallons of diesel fuel.

See the posted notifications from Alyeska and the USCG for the most up to date information on the incident and current response efforts. PWSRCAC staff are monitoring this situation and will post additional information as it is received.

Click on the image below to view the notification from Alyeska.