M/V Monarch/Granite Pt.Platform; Upper Cook Inlet, Alaska

Source report excerpt: “At 12:07 it was report at the command port that the Monarch had sunk beneath the surface and was no longer visually detectable. As a result the response has none transitioned from pollution response to vessel salvage. However, there is still concern over the condition of the pipeline, emanating north from the platform, that the vessel may rub across, if it goes all the way to the bottom of the Inlet at around 60 feet. The RP and vessel owner, Ocean Marine Services, Inc., hopes to have a salvage plan later this afternoon.”

Source report excerpt: “Thursday Evening report: Sector Anchorage notified the NOAA SSC at 0615, Thursday morning, that the oil field workboat, the M/V Monarch (roughly 150 feet long), had become pinned against the leg of the Granite Pt. platform, as the combined result of a strong flood tidal current and extreme ice conditions. The vessel has about 38,000 gallons of diesel onboard After listing at around 30 degrees up against the platform for several hours, the vessel completely sank shortly after noon. In the process the vessel was completely abandoned, and the platform was shut-in and abandoned as a precaution against possible damage and oil release to the environment. Shortly after noon on Thursday, the vessel […]”

Source report excerpt: “Friday Evening Report, Jan. 16: 1. Today was characterized mostly by attempts to locate the M/V Monarch somewhere on the bottom of Upper Cook Inlet. Both the CGC Hickory and the CISPRI M/V Champion were able to tow side scan sonar devices. Between the vessels, a total of 4 hours of data was achieved prior to the SSS units malfunctioning. No sign of the Monarch was detected. The SSS hopefully will be repaired tomorrow for additional surveying by the M/V Champion and the Tug Vigilant. The Hickory has been released. 2. Overflight conducted; no oil or sheen or any debris observed on the water. 3. If on the small chance that a large amount of diesel or other oil is released, a response […]”

Source report excerpt: “At 1000 this morning, Sat., Jan. 17, the CG and RP announced that the M/V Monarch hull wasd located on the bottom of Upper Cook Inlet 100 meters SW of the Granite Point platform. With experience divers and salvors on-scene, plans are being enthusiastically developed to raise and salvage the vessel, hopefully in the next couple of days.”

Source report excerpt: “Marine Environmental Protection Pollution - Oil - Pollution- Oil- Cook Inlet- 151451ZJAN09 SMC/IC: Sector Anchorage Case ID: 438940 Situation: Update 17 Jan 09: USCGC SPAR concluded sonar operations following a casualty to the sonar and returned to Homer, AK. M/V CHAMPION continued to conduct side-scan sonar operations on 17 Jan after making repairs to the sonar equipment on board and located the wreck of OSV MONARCH with the stern three meters from the platform structure and bow 58 meters from the structure, on her keel with a starboard list in 86 feet of water . A ten by 100 yard sheen was still visible in the vicinity of the Granite Offshore platform but ice conditions made any feasible […]”

Source report excerpt: “Sunday evening report, Jan. 18: 1. On 17JAN the M/V CHAMPION, using side scan sonar, located the M/V MONARCH approximately three meters from the SW leg of the Granite Point Platform. The current plans are to mark the vessel with a transponder and monitor it for eventual mobility. Salvage personnel are awaiting additional sonar equipment to further characterize the vessel's disposition and will perform daily monitoring for movement. The RP is still putting a salvage plan together. The plan for tomorrow is to equip the CHAMPION with spill response equipment and qualified technicians to stand by in case of a spill event. 2. The Command Post moved from the CISPRI headquarters in Nikiski to the […]”

Source report excerpt: “Evening report, Monday, Jan. 19: 1. The RP continued with side scan sonar to evaluate the disposition of the sunken vessel MV Monarch on the seafloor of Upper Cook Inlet, and more SSS will be conducted tomorrow. 2. As a result, salvage plans are still be assembled. Based on the two scans completed today by the M/V CHAMPION, the M/V MONARCH has been deemed not to be shifting in its position. Assuming the vessel will continue not to have moved by the morning, Unified Command is planning on demobilizing due to no further action being possible at this time. After this happens, periodic checks will be made on the vessel and further action will be completed once the ice melts enough for salvage […]”

Source report excerpt: “Pollution - Oil - M/V MONARCH/ Cook Inlet/ 151451ZJAN09 SMC/IC: Sector Anchorage Case ID: 438940 Situation: 21JAN09 OSV Monarch Response Update: A side scan sonar and a fixed beam sonar are being installed on the Granite Point oil platform in Cook Inlet to monitor the offshore supply vessel Monarch that remains submerged just south of the platform. Both sonar are designed to be deployed and recovered from the platform because sustained deployment in the inlet could result in ice damage to the units. Over the previous three days imagery indicates that the vessel is stationary and no longer moving. Global Diving and Salvage in cooperation with naval architects are assessing if the tidal […]”