The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:
(JUNEAU, Alaska) — The Alaska State Ferry Lituya, a 180-foot motor vessel home ported in Metlakatla, Alaska, broke loose from its moorings at the ferry pier in Metlakatla and is reported aground one mile north on Scrub Island, Alaska, in Port Chester at 1 a.m. Friday.
Coast Guard Cutter Anthony Petit, a 175-foot buoy tender home ported in Ketchikan, Alaska, is making preparations to get underway and is scheduled to arrive on scene at sunrise.
Coast Guard Air Station Sitka and Coast Guard Station Ketchikan will launch assets as soon as weather conditions permit.
No one was on board the Lituya at the time of the incident.
Current weather conditions in the vicinity are winds from the southeast at 26 mph with gusts up to 80 mph, visibility is 3 miles, overcast with heavy rain and seas of six to eight-feet.
The Alaska Marine Highway System, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and Coast Guard Sector Juneau are working together to respond.
