The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:
(ANCHORAGE, Alaska) — The Coast Guard and Crowley are responding to the grounding of the 160-foot Crowley barge 160-1 in the Kanektok River near the Quinhagak Village south of Bethel on the eastern shore of the Bering Sea.
According to Crowley representatives the barge is carrying approximately 57,000 gallons of jet fuel and approximately 57,000 gallons of gasoline. There have been no reports of damage to the barge or pollution in the vicinity of the grounding. An HC-130 Hercules aircraft from Air Station Kodiak is conducting an overflight of the area.
Two tidal changes have occurred since the barge grounded and crews have been unable to refloat it. Another barge is departing Bethel and plans are being developed to lighter the grounded barge.
Coast Guard personnel from Sector Anchorage received notification at 9:44 a.m. Thursday and are currently working with Crowley response staff, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Environmental Protection Agency to quickly and safely refloat the barge and limit the impact to the environment.
The barge is located in the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge area. There is no known impact to wildlife at this time.
