By Mark Edward Nero
The US Coast Guard says that the tug boat Samson Mariner, owned by the Samson Tug and Barge Company of Sitka, Alaska, ran aground on the evening of Wednesday, Feb. 15 while towing a barge near north Tongass Narrows in Rosa Reef, Alaska.
A Coast Guard response boat crew and pollution team responded to the incident after Coast Guard Sector Juneau command center watch standers received notification via VHF-FM radio from the captain aboard the Samson Mariner that his vessel ran aground and had a minor breach in the hull.
Coast Guard responders arriving on scene placed boom around the tug and verified that crew of the Samson Mariner plugged the breached hull.
The 91-foot Samson Mariner, which was built in 1970, had 30,000 gallons of fuel on board at the time, while the barge had 40,000 gallons of diesel on board.
Three Southeast Alaska Petroleum Response Organization tugs took the barge to Ward Cove where it’s now anchored and being assessed for damage, according to the USCG.
The Coast Guard says no injuries or damage to the barge have been reported.
Friday, February 17, 2017
