NORWEGIAN TUG RESCUES DISABLED SHIP IN BERING SEA

摘要

When the Golden State, a 738' bulk carrier with over 450,000 gals, of fuel and lube oil aboard, suffered engine problems on Dec. 3 while transiting the Bering Sea near Alaska's Aleutian Islands, it reminded many Alaskans of the 2004 grounding of the Selendang Ayu on Unalaska Island. That ship broke in half and spilled about 338,000 gals, of fuel oil. The Golden State, however, was rescued and towed intact to Dutch Harbor by the Tor Viking II, a Norwegian AHTS vessel that has been stationed in Dutch Harbor while under contract to Shell Oil Co. The 275', 18,000-hp icebreaking tug traveled over 400 miles in 2O'-25' seas to reach the struggling ship. The Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley also responded and escorted the tow back to Dutch Harbor.