Current situation as of 3 August, 2006
The Crowley tug
Sea Victory arrived from Seattle, WA (via Dutch Harbor for fuel) and has taken over the tow of the
Cougar Ace from the
Emma Foss and is heading towards Samalga Pass (west of Umnak Island) at 2.5 knots. After going through the pass, the tow's planned curved course towards Dutch Harbor will keep it out of at least a 50 mile radius from Bogoslof; ie - close to 75 miles from the nearest point of land. Coincidently, this is the very same area that the ill-fated bulker
Selendang Ayu lost power and ultimately grounded and broke in two in December of 2004. The
Sea Victory is ultimately heading for a point about 50 miles due north of Dutch Harbor and its ETA is about 0400 ADT (1300 GMT) on 08 August.
The
Cougar Ace does not appear to be sinking, but weather conditions have deteriorated to the point that it has not been safe enough to land any teams onboard (both by air and sea). The weekend is supposed to stay rough due to a bunck of small low pressure systems that will pass through the area. A ridge of high pressure will move in early next week and should help calm things down.
The
Emma Foss is still tanding by with the
Sea Victory and can assist in the tow if necessary. The Crowley tug
Gladiator is underway from Anacortes, WA and will arrive the evening of August 6th. The
Gladiator will relieve the
Emma Foss. Because of the odd characteristics of the tow and the swell conditions, the crew of the
Sea Victory is having to manually steer, occasionally requiring up to 15-20 degrees of rudder to keep on course. They are taking 6x6 shifts in the wheelhouse.
If the weather holds enough, salvage crews will keep trying to right the vessel. Cargo nets are being brought in and will be placed within the
Cougar Ace to ease movement inside the listed vessel. Two portable pumps have already been placed on the
Cougar Ace with the intention of filling the No. 5 ballast tank. A third pump was unable to be put onboard today (due to weather conditions). If the weather does not hold, crews may have to wait until the tow has transited Samalga Pass and is in the lee of Umnak Island.
As for the cargo, two of the fourteen decks were inspected and the cargo was found to be in place. Unfortunately, during that inspection on July 30, a naval architect from Seattle slipped and fell about 80 feet and was knocked unconscious. Subsequent efforts to revive him on a USCG cuter failed and he was pronounced dead.
The vessels
Makushin Bay and
Redeemer are also on site, assisting. The USCGC
Morgenthau is on site and the USCGC
Sycamore is on its way with a naval architect and salvage team members onboard.
More info, including photos, can be found in the link below:
Unified Command -- M/V Cougar Ace
