Washington Dept. of Ecology, U.S. Coast Guard, San Juan Office of Emergency Management and Swinomish Tribe have formed a Unified Command to collectively respond to a sunken 49-foot fishing vessel, the Aleutian Isle, on the west side of San Juan Island near Sunset Point. This incident started as a search and rescue, and all persons on board were rescued safely. The vessel sank soon after.
For more pictures and video from this response, visit the Dept. of Ecology Flickr album.
Sunset Point, San Juan Island
Response vessels off San Juan Island.
On Thursday morning, United States and Canadian partners conducted a transboundary whale deterrents drill. This is the primary method of deterring Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) if they were to approach the area. The drill included four vessels from three United States organizations: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Wild Orca, and The Whale Museum. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) participated with three vessels, as well. Crews conducted a visual scan for marine mammals before starting the drill and none were seen.
Multi-agency crews participate in a whale deterrence drill August 26, 2022. NOAA photo The goals of this drill were to gain experience with rigging and using deterrence devices (oikomi pipes) to enhance transboundary coordination, and to test the maneuverability of the vessels individually and in coordination for a moving whale.
Multi-agency crews participate in a whale deterrence drill August 26, 2022. NOAA photo
Dipping hydrophones were deployed to record the sound levels generated, and a post-drill meeting was held in the afternoon where participants provided feedback on the operation.
Photos of this drill are available through our Flickr album.
Shoreline Cleanup and Assessment Technique (SCAT) teams continue to patrol ecologically sensitive areas on San Juan Island to monitor for sheen and pollutants.
Coast Guard unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operators are also continually conducting aerial patrols. No sheen was observed today, but our personnel continue to monitor and standby to adjust boom and materials as needed.
Crews look for sheen on a beach on San Juan Island. Crews trasfer line between vessels.
Crews look for sheen on a beach on San Juan Island.
Crews trasfer line between vessels.
Response teams have been walking shorelines looking for any signs of impact from the sunken vessel. This process is formally known as Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Techniques (SCAT). Today teams found no oil or sheening.
Helicopter and drone flights also found no sheening today. To see one way responders use aerial technology to find sheen, view this video from the U.S. Coast Guard personnel on San Juan Island.
No wildlife has been observed in the area around the response, including Southern Resident Killer Whales.
A barge and crane are being transported from Seattle to San Juan Island to assist in raising the vessel. Due to the depth of the wreck, divers are required to use specialized gas mixtures which are currently being produced. Once the crane, barge, and gas mixture arrive later this week, removal operations will begin.
Daily overflights have shown the amount of sheening remains minimal. Crews have added additional absorbent boom to ensure environmentally sensitive areas are protected in case any sheening moves closer to land.
Read our Update #7 for more information.
San Juan County personnel load pallets of boom onto a truck on San Juan Island Monday. 8/22/22 San Juan County Office of Emergency Management photo.
San Juan County personnel load pallets of boom onto a truck on San Juan Island Monday. 8/22/22 San Juan County Office of Emergency Management photo.
Over the weekend, an additional 1500-feet of boom was placed around White Point Peninsula as a precautionary measure in case any new sheening appears. Currently the amount of sheen is minimal. No wildlife has been observed in the area around the response, but crews continue to monitor the area for any changes.
Unified Command is moving ahead to remove the entire vessel from the seafloor and have it placed on a barge where the contaminants can be safely removed. This will ensure the removal of as much pollutants and contamination as possible, and completely remove the threat to the environment.
Dive operations are on pause in order to procure specialized equipment for a dive this deep. It will take a few days to get this equipment, and once it arrives, dive operations will begin again.
For the latest details, read our Update #6.
Members of the Unified Command met with the San Juan County council today to discuss the Aleutian Isle sinking. The meeting was live-streamed and recorded, and can be viewed here: https://bit.ly/3Te2VFg. The briefing included a discussion on the difficult nature of accessing the wreck, the preferred pollution containment and recovery plan, and Southern Resident Killer Whales/Marine mammal management plans.
Crews continue to face challenges accessing the vessel.
Crews had acquired the necessary equipment to dive on the vessel at 100 feet. But with the sunken vessel now at a depth of over 200 feet, diving on the wreck requires additional equipment not readily available. The dive team is retrieving that more specialized equipment, designed for dive operations at depths greater than 200 feet, for the safety of those involved and the success of the operation.
In addition, divers face the strong currents of Haro Strait. The dive teams must wait for the apex of either high tide or low tide, also known as ‘slack tide,’ before entering the water.
Sheening continues to be negligible and protective booming will remain in place over the weekend as a precaution.
There have been no reports of oiled wildlife, and no sign of Southern Resident Killer Whales or other whales near the response operations.
For additional details, read our Update #5.
This morning, a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) found the vessel remains upright at over 200-feet below the surface. Operators of the ROV were able to see that no major fractures appeared anywhere on the hull and the fuel tanks remain intact.
The depth of the wreck poses hazards for divers while they work. Responders are gathering additional specialized equipment required for the depth and adding specialized deep-water divers to assist with response efforts.
A light visible sheen was spotted by surface crews this morning and was confirmed by drone and helicopter overflights. The 3,800-feet of absorbent boom placed throughout the area yesterday will remain in the same spots as a precautionary measure.
A dedicated wildlife team conducted an area assessment both along the shoreline and in open water. There have been no reports of oiled wildlife.
Coast Guard Cutter Henry Blake, recovered more netting, weighing 400 lbs., that was lifted by crane out of the water. Approximately 1,400-feet of netting have been recovered by the crew of the Henry Blake and dive crews over the past two days. Five dogfish were found entangled in one net, one of which was successfully released. No other animals were found entangled.
For more pictures and video from this response, visit the Dept. of Ecology Flikr album.
Today crews are continuing work to recover netting from the vessel. They are also planning ROV dive operations to assess the wreck and determine next steps.
There is was a reduction in sheen visible on the water’s surface this morning, which was confirmed by observations from land, sea and air. By mid-afternoon the sheen appeared to have completely dissipated.
First responders from the Coast Guard along with State and local experts from the Department of Ecology and San Juan County patrolled the beaches in the vicinity of the spill and could find any sheening on the shore.
More than 3,800-feet of absorbent boom has been placed throughout the affected area. While there is no sheen, the booming is remaining in place as a precautionary measure.
Shoreline teams walk down to a beach to look for signs of pollution. 8/16/22 U.S. Coast Guard photo Boom protects a sensitive area on San Juan Island. 8/16/22 U.S. Coast Guard photo
Shoreline teams walk down to a beach to look for signs of pollution. 8/16/22 U.S. Coast Guard photo
Boom protects a sensitive area on San Juan Island. 8/16/22 U.S. Coast Guard photo
The Department of Ecology continues the community air monitoring program, noting that no monitors have shown any levels above background (normal) levels.
Coast Guard Cutter Henry Blake was diverted to the area to recover a seine net that floated free of the wreck. The crew of the cutter was able to remove most of the netting. A second net was observed submerged at approximately 100-feet of depth by divers yesterday and dive teams were able to remove several panels of the netting today.
A lost net is raised out of the water by the crew of the Henry Blake. 8/16/22 U.S. Coast Guard photo The Coast Guard vessel Henry Blake collects a lost fishing net from the response area. 8/16/22 U.S. Coast Guard photo
A lost net is raised out of the water by the crew of the Henry Blake. 8/16/22 U.S. Coast Guard photo
The Coast Guard vessel Henry Blake collects a lost fishing net from the response area. 8/16/22 U.S. Coast Guard photo
Dive operations on the wreck are limited due to the depth of the vessel and underwater conditions. The Coast Guard has brought a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) on scene to use in the response. The use of the ROV will allow the responders and contractors to assess the state of the sunken vessel before divers descend.
Today local volunteers from a variety of advocacy groups, including the Whale Museum and Sound watch, worked under the supervision of NOAA to practice whale deterrent measures at sea. While marine mammals have not been sighted in the immediate vicinity of the spill, teams remain poised to respond. Unified Command crew continue to work alongside partner agencies, including the Canadian Regional Operations Center, to track SRKWs utilizing hydrophone and sonogram technology.
Responders on scene and drone/helicopter overflights show a reduction in the sheen on the water.
The depth of the wreck has prompted the USCG to bring a specialized Remotely Operated Vehicle to the San Juan Islands which will be on scene today.
The Cutter Henry Blake is on scene to recover the loose net from the surface. Divers will be working today to remove a second net which is submerged near the original location of the sunken vessel at 100 ft. mark.
A spill response vessel with equipment on board. 8/16/22 An air quality monitor near the shore on San Juan Island. 8/16/22 Dept. of Ecology photo Dept. of Ecology's Geoff Baran sets up an air monitoring station on San Juan Island. 8/16/22 Dept. of Ecology photo
A spill response vessel with equipment on board. 8/16/22
An air quality monitor near the shore on San Juan Island. 8/16/22 Dept. of Ecology photo
Dept. of Ecology's Geoff Baran sets up an air monitoring station on San Juan Island. 8/16/22 Dept. of Ecology photo
Commercial dive and salvage teams dove on the vessel today to remove the remaining fuel. However, divers could not initially locate the vessel despite previous side-scan sonar having located the boat. In the past 36 hours the vessel has shifted positions and is now located in waters around 200' in depth. This presents additional logistical challenges that the dive team is working to resolve.
One of the nets that had been attached to the Aleutian Isle when it sank has floated free and crews have marked its positions and will be working to extract it from the water tomorrow.
The Unified Command continues to work with Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife and local partners to monitor marine mammals. No whales have been observed in the vicinity of the affected area.
The Department of Ecology continues to monitor air quality in nearby areas. No monitors have shown any result above background levels.
Drone overflight footage of response vessels off San Juan Island. 8/14/22 U.S. Coast Guard video.
Drone overflight footage of response vessels off San Juan Island. 8/14/22 U.S. Coast Guard video.
Yesterday a contracted vessel spent 9 hours deploying and collecting absorbent booming to capture surface oil. Approximately 2100 feet of booming has been placed which includes protecting Small Pox Bay and Open Water Bay.
The dive team is looking for the best way to secure vents on the vessel so that the tanks can be de-fueled.
Follow @USCGPacificNW on Twitter or keep an eye here for further updates.
Response vessels with vaccuum trucks on board off San Juan Island. U.S. Coast Guard photo Response vessels with vaccuum trucks on board off San Juan Island. U.S. Coast Guard photo Response vessels with vaccuum trucks on board off San Juan Island. U.S. Coast Guard photo
Response vessels with vaccuum trucks on board off San Juan Island. U.S. Coast Guard photo
Response vessels with vaccuum trucks on board off San Juan Island. U.S. Coast Guard photo
Response vessels with vaccuum trucks on board off San Juan Island. U.S. Coast Guard photo
Response vessels with vaccuum trucks on board off San Juan Island, with diesel sheen in the water. U.S. Coast Guard photo Response vessels with vaccuum trucks on board off San Juan Island. U.S. Coast Guard photo Response vessels with vaccuum trucks on board off San Juan Island. U.S. Coast Guard photo
Response vessels with vaccuum trucks on board off San Juan Island, with diesel sheen in the water. U.S. Coast Guard photo
Response vessels with vaccuum trucks on board off San Juan Island. U.S. Coast Guard photo
Response vessels with vaccuum trucks on board off San Juan Island. U.S. Coast Guard photo
A safety zone has been put in place around the response area. All vessels must remain at least 1,000 yards from any vessel conducting dive operations.
Department of Ecology has deployed a community air monitoring network to track air quality from the spilled diesel. Air quality levels have been and remain below harmful thresholds.
Whale monitoring efforts show no whales in the impacted area. Monitoring efforts ran all night Sunday, Aug. 14, and will continue the night of Monday, Aug. 15. Qualified personnel are on scene and prepared to prevent marine mammals from approaching or entering the affected area. This has not been necessary thrus far.
There have been no reports of oiled wildlife.
Response contractors are on scene planning next steps for removal of the fuel remaining in the vessel.
For further information on this response, please see the Unified Command press release.
Coast Guard responders view boom deployed below.
Coast Guard responders view boom deployed below.
Responders have placed absorbent boom in the water to try to recover some visible material.
Divers are determining the best course of action to remove the fuel from the sunken vessel. The depth of the wreck poses safety concerns and additional equipment is needed for the safety of the response.
The Unified Command is also sharing information and coordinating with Canadian authorities because the incident is close to the border.
Coast Guard, WDFW, Orca Network, Sound Watch and NOAA are monitoring the location of the Southern Resident Killer Whales in the vicinity of the San Juan Islands. While there are not any whales currently in the area, our agencies are prepared to deploy authorized deterrents. Monitoring efforts began yesterday and continued through the night.
There is a non-recoverable sheen dispersing around the immediate area. Contractors are placing absorbant boom near certain shoreline areas for protection.
If you see any impacted wildlife, contact the Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife at 1-800-22-BIRDS.
Response agencies are responding to a sunken 49-foot fishing vessel, the Aleutian Isle, on the west side of San Juan Island near Sunset Point.
A Unified Command has been set up for this incident, comprised of the U.S. Coast Guard, Washington Department of Ecology, San Juan County Office of Emergency Management and the Swinomish Tribe. Support agencies include NOAA, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, Islands' Oil Spill Association, National Marine Fisheries Service, and the U.S. FIsh and Wildlife Service.
This incident started as a search and rescue, and all persons on board were rescued safely. The vessel sank in approximately 100 feet of water. The fishing vessel has a fuel capacity of 4,000 gallons and was reported to have 2,500 gallons of diesel on board at the time of the sinking, with approximately 100 gallons of motor oil and other oils. Both the Coast Guard and Dept. of Ecology performed overflights of the area and is reporting a two mile sheen traveling north from the sinking location.
Ecology, the US Coast Guard, and San Juan County are responding, and two response contractors are en route; Global Diving and Salvage and Tow Boat USA.
Diesel fuel in the water off San Juan Island. Spilled diesel fuel in the water off San Juan Island.
Diesel fuel in the water off San Juan Island.
Spilled diesel fuel in the water off San Juan Island.
Ecology was notified of a sinking vessel off San Juan Island. US Coast Guard is responding to the incident and Ecology responders are en route.
Response vessels on the water off San Juan Island
Coast Guard, partner agencies respond to pollution incident after vessel sinks off San Juan Island
UPDATE: Coast Guard, partner agencies respond to pollution incident after fishing vessel sinks off San Juan Island
UPDATE (2): Coast Guard, partner agencies respond to pollution incident after fishing vessel sinks off San Juan Island
UPDATE 3: Unified Command continues response to pollution incident off San Juan Island
UPDATE 4: Unified Command continues response to pollution incident off San Juan Island
UPDATE 5: Unified Command continues response to pollution incident off San Juan Island
UPDATE 6: Unified Command continues response to pollution incident off San Juan Island
UPDATE 7: Unified Command continues response to pollution incident off San Juan Island
Coast Guard Public Affairs, uscgd13@gmail.com, 206-251-3237
If you see oiled wildlife, contact the Wildlife Hotline: 1-800-22-BIRDS. Do not attempt to capture wildlife.
A claims process has been established for those that may be financially affected by this response. Please direct your requests to Matthew.C.Seel@uscg.mil at the National Pollution Funds Center.
San Juan Islands Geographic Response Plan