VALDEZ, Alaska – Following the rescue of three crewmen from the Seward-based 58-foot fishing vessel Copasetic Thursday Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Valdez dispatched personnel to assess the damage done to both the vessel and the environment.
Investigators have determined the vessel’s five fuel tanks remain intact although there is a visible rainbow sheen immediately surrounding the vessel from bilge runoff out of the bow.
The Copasetic grounded in the Valdez Narrows at the northern entrance of Jack Bay while making its way back into Port Valdez Thursday morning at approximately 3:15 A.M. A Coast Guard Station Valdez small boat rescue crew safely recovered three fishermen off a beach after the vessel sustained substantial damage to its bow.
R&R Diving has been contracted to carry out pollution response and salvage of the vessel and were scheduled to be on scene Thursday afternoon. They are currently underway for Jack Bay with booming equipment.
The cause of the incident is still under investigation.
