41ft Sandra L partially sunk in Sitka Sound

The Coast Guard is responding to a fishing vessel that partially sank Thursday with diesel fuel onboard in Sitka Sound.

The Sandra L is currently partially sunk and visible only during low tide in Redoubt Bay. An overflight Friday morning by a Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew reported a visible sheen around the Sandra L.

The owner of the fishing vessel Sandra L reported Friday that there is a visible sheen and has deployed absorbent boom. The tanks onboard have approximately 50 gallons of diesel fuel with a potential maximum total of 600 gallons. The owner is in the process of developing a salvage plan for submission to the Coast Guard for review.

On scene, the Coast Guard aircrew lowered a rescue swimmer to assist. A good samaritan vessel nearby, the fishing vessel Laura Lydell, deployed its life raft and embarked the person from the Sandra L safely aboard the Laura Lydell.

The Coast Guard has opened the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. The owner of the Sandra L has contracted an oil spill response organization to assist in cleanup operations.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.