Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Ocean-Eagle

On March 5, the tugboat 'Ocean Eagle' was successfully towed to Ketchikan by commercial tugs for essential repairs following a grounding incident at Mariposa Reef within the Sumner Strait on March 2. Prior to the towing operation, the barge associated with the 'Ocean Eagle' was redirected to Sitka, where a Marine Inspector carried out comprehensive damage assessments before the barge resumed its scheduled journey. The owner of the 'Ocean Eagle', Brusco Tug & Barge, promptly enlisted the services of Alaska Commercial Divers to perform underwater surveys on both the tug and barge at Alvin Cove after the grounding episode. During their inspection, divers identified and conducted temporary repairs on the cracks found in the tug’s hull, while only minor damage was reported on the barge. The transit plans for both vessels received approval from the federal on-scene coordinator at Coast Guard Sector Juneau, along with the state on-scene coordinator from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. It is worth noting that minor oil sheening was observed at the time of grounding; however, no further pollution incidents have been reported. At the time of the incident, weather conditions included winds of 20 knots from the north, seas of four feet, and visibility extending to 10 miles.

On March 2, a tugboat and barge grounding incident unfolded approximately 80 miles southeast of Sitka, but initial inspections reveal no significant damage to the barge. The tugboat 'Ocean Eagle,' towing a barge, ran aground on Mariposa Reef while navigating through the Sumner Strait. Emergency response was swift; a helicopter from Air Station Sitka successfully airlifted all five crew members from the troubled tug. The U.S. Coast Guard cutters, 'Liberty' and 'Maple,' along with two tugs from Brusco Tug & Barge, quickly reached the site by Thursday morning. Divers from the Alaska commercial diving team conducted an inspection on the morning of March 3 and confirmed the barge remained intact. By 2:30 p.m., preparations were underway for a thorough examination of the tug's hull. The incident involved a total of 110,000 gallons of diesel fuel, with an estimated 15 gallons having leaked from the tug's day tank, resulting in a small oil sheen observed in the vicinity. Following the dive team's thorough assessment, Brusco Tug & Barge plans to tow the barge back to Sitka, while the 'Ocean Eagle' is expected to be transported to Ketchikan for further evaluation. For detailed images and further updates, visit the original report: https://www.kcaw.org/2017/03/03/fifteen-gallons-fuel-spilled-tug-no-damage-grounded-barge/

On March 2, 2017, a dramatic rescue operation unfolded when the tug 'Ocean Eagle' ran aground on Mariposa Reef, situated on the southern side of Strait Island in Sumner Strait. The crew from the Coast Guard Air Station Sitka, utilizing an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter, successfully hoisted five individuals from a barge linked to the stricken tug and transported them safely to Sitka. The incident began late on the night of March 1, when the 'Ocean Eagle' reported taking on water in its engine room after grounding. At approximately 7:15 p.m., Coast Guard Sector Juneau received an urgent call from the crew detailing the situation. The tug was carrying an estimated 220 tons of diesel fuel across several tanks, while the attached barge contained 200 tons of diesel and a load of mixed dry cargo. While the extent of any fuel discharge was still undetermined, Sector Juneau began collaborating with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for oil trajectory assessments shortly after the incident. By around 3 a.m., both the 'Ocean Eagle' and its barge had refloated and were drifting toward Alvin Cove. The Coast Guard Cutter 'Liberty' arrived on the scene at 7:30 a.m. equipped for pollution response, followed shortly by the Coast Guard Cutter 'Maple.' Both vessels remained vigilant in monitoring for signs of pollution and verifying local navigation aids. Meanwhile, commercial tugs hired by the 'Ocean Eagle' owners were on site to conduct dewatering, ongoing repairs, and to mitigate environmental risks while facing challenging weather conditions with 34-mph winds and 6-foot waves. For further details, watch the video recap of the rescue operation here: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/512320/air-station-sitka-rescues-5-tug-ocean-eagle.