Tug Frances Snow Sinking Steamboat Slough

Location: Steamboat Slough, approximately 2.37 miles southeast of Bethel
Time/Date: Undetermined at this time
Spill Id: 23479930301
Product/ Quantity: An unknown quantity of diesel fuel, engine oil, and hydraulic fluid was spilled. The vessel has a maximum fuel capacity of 2,500 gallons of diesel. Vitus estimates that 250-300 gallons of diesel and 10 gallons of hydraulic fluid were onboard at the time of the vessel sinking. A broken silver and rainbow sheen was observed extending from Steamboat Slough into the main channel of the Kuskokwim River. A diesel fuel smell was reported by local citizens in Bethel and as far downriver as Napaskiak.
Cause: The 61.6 ft. tug vessel, Frances Snow, was moored alongside a grounded barge in Steamboat Slough. Following discovery of the oil sheen, the Frances Snow was found to be partially sunken, with the stern of the boat beneath the water. The cause of the vessel sinking was reported by Vitus to be a 1.5-inch crack in the hull at frame 1 starboard side.

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