U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Response to Vessel Grounding/Oil Spill off Unalaska Island

December 12, 2004: Please continue to check Unified Command’s Incident Action Plans and Situation Reports for latest information on spill response. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's web pages are also being continually updated. Weather conditions have exceeded the limitations of booming equipment except for a few areas previously reported. There will be a small weather window Monday, but gale warnings are posted for Monday night. North and northeast winds 30-35 knots through Monday evening are forecast to increase to 40 knots Tuesday, and 45 knots Wednesday with seas to 24 feet, conditions persisting through Thursday. Two vessels, the Redeemer and landing craft Joshua were still on scene this morning in Makushin Bay attempting to boom Humpback Bay, a significant salmon area, with the equipment they have left. If that is too exposed, then they will put the remaining booms near the back of Portage Bay.

Stern section of wrecked M/V Selendang Ayu off Skan Bay, Unalaska
Photo Courtesy of Unified Command