Product Tanker Briefly Aground Off Alaska

On Friday, the Coast Guard reported that the Norway-flagged chemical tanker Champion Ebony went aground near Nunivak Island, Alaska on the morning of June 24.

Coast Guard Sector Anchorage received a report from the National Response Center at 0924 hours that the Ebony ran aground carrying approximately 14 million gallons of various fuel products.

The crew of Champion Ebony was able to refloat the vessel and make way under her own power to deeper water at 0928 hours. She reported no signs of pollution, and is anchored to assess for damages.

The captain of the product tanker reported that no pollution or injuries resulted from the incident. An Air Station Kodiak C-130 Hercules airplane crew conducted an over-flight of the tanker and reported no signs of pollution in the vicinity of the tanker. 

“Our primary concern is to protect the environment,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Lindsey Green of Sector Anchorage. “The Coast Guard takes tanker grounding reports seriously and we are conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the incident.”

The Champion Ebony is a 45,000 dwt double-hulled product tanker. 24 crewmembers were aboard at the time of the incident. Weather on scene is reported as calm winds, overcast with 3-foot seas.