PACIFIC KNIGHT

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Wreck of fish tender raised start of September

The "Pacific Knight" that sank in Nushagak Bay on July 25 was refloated and towed to Dutch Harbor this week. The United States Coast Guard has not yet determined what caused the vessel to capsize. The salvage team used an airlift to remove sand and silt from the wreckage, and a crane barge to lift the vessel out of the water. Once stabilized so it could float on its own, a tug towed the wreck to Dutch Harbor, where stakeholders will further examine the vessel. The USCG is continuing its investigation into what caused the seiner and long liner to sink.

Salvage of sunken tender underway

On Aug 30 a salvage team was in the process of refloating the "Pacific Knight" which sank on July 25. It had been operating in Bristol Bay as a tender during the commercial salmon fishing season. An oil sheen emanating from the wreckage disrupted commercial fishing in the Nushagak District for nearly a week. It was still unclear how much fuel spilled. The initial Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Report estimated that the "Pacific Knight" was carrying 800 gallons of diesel and 300 gallons of hydraulic fluid. However, in the week after the vessel sank, a dive team with the Resolve Marine, the company contracted to salvage the boat, removed 1,400 gallons of fuel from the vessel. The past few days they passed chains underneath the vessel and connected them to a crane barge. The wreck was turned on even keel. With an airlift he salvors removed sand and silt from around the vessel to get the chains underneath. Once the ship is lifted, Resolve Marine will attempt to stabilize it so it will float on its own. Then the "Pacific Knight" will be towed to Dutch Harbor where stakeholders can examine the vessel further. It was estimated it would take about a week to refloat, stabilize and move the wreck. The USCG was continuing its investigation into the situation.

Fuel removal in progress

Divers of Resolve Marine were actually working in a fuel removal process from the "Pacific Knight". They were pumping the remaining fuel off the vessel. They're also sealing vents and utilizing different techniques to keep any residual fuel from leaking out. The salvage team is also conducting surveys to better understand how the vessel was situated on the riverbed. Low visibility and strong tidal current have slowed the diver's efforts. After the remaining fuel has been pumped off, the owner and insurance company will decide whether or not to remove the sunk tender.