Spills

Frederick sound, alaska

Tug May; Frederick Sound, Alaska · NOAAORR-6908

issued
1992-11-22 00:00Z
status
cancelled 1992-12-06 00:00Z
self-cancels
1992-12-06 00:00Z
authority
NOAA OR&R
sea
The Coastal Waters of Southeast Alaska and British Columbia
position
57.083, -133.167
vessels
TUG MAY · 2 messagesTUG MAY SUDDENLY
source
incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

Tug May; Frederick Sound, Alaska.
Frederick Sound, Alaska.
1. On November 22, 1992, while pulling a tow of floating logs in calm water, the tug May suddenly capsized and sank in 50 fathoms at the mouth of Farragut Bay. One crewmember escaped; three others went down with the vessel and were presumed drowned. The USCG launched an unsuccessful search and rescue mission that lasted about ten days. The tug had 7,000 gallons of diesel onboard and immediately released several hundred gallons when it sank. The log boom, which was still attached, positioned itself directly over the sunken vessel and the oil released contaminated it. After the initial release, fuel continued to rise from the vessel at the rate of a few gallons per hour causing a small surface sheen that evaporated and dispersed rapidly. USCG district 17. Keyword: evaporation.
2. COMMODITY: DIESEL.
3. POSITION 57.083N 133.167W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 6908: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/6908

This area · spills & pollution incidents

132 within 180 nm since 1986 · 9 in the last 12 months · 0 in force now

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Spills

Oil and chemical spills, groundings and vessel casualties with a pollution threat: NOAA IncidentNews responses since 1957, and spill-response areas broadcast as navigational warnings. All current spills & pollution incidents

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