Tug rigs tow to drifting ship Cougar Ace, towing it Northeast towards Aleutian Islands, Alaska

8/1/06

Anchorage, Alaska

The Unified Command is continuing to monitor the condition of the Cougar Ace, evaluate options for improving the vessel's list and plan for a movement of the vessel. Using information obtained from the initial vessel survey, which took place on Sunday evening, the decision was made to take advantage of a favorable weather window and rig a tow from the tug Emma Foss to the Cougar Ace as a test of the towing arrangement and to gain some additional control of the vessel.

The Emma Foss is maintaining the tow at minimum speeds to ensure a safe towing configuration on a northeast heading. The tow will shift to the tug Sea Victory when it arrives on scene later today.

The Unified Command is considering three primary options for the vessel.

• Towing the vessel to a port of refuge and righting it in port.
• Righting the vessel on scene and then towing the vessel to a port for further assessment and repair.
• Partially righting the vessel to improve its condition for towing it to a port of refuge for righting.

One of the major factors being considered is the extreme angle of the vessel and the difficulty for crews to work on board. The angle also affects what equipment might be needed to effectively right and tow the ship.

A final decision is dependent on several variables including weather, approved ports, stability, safety and expected degree of success. Port assessments continue.

A scientific team including the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, NOAA, Polaris Applied Sciences, Alaska Department of Natural Resources and Alaska Department of Fish and Game is part of the incident command structure in Anchorage and is keeping the Unified Command apprised of the natural resources and environmental issues in the port areas being considered.

Additional salvage and dive personnel are en route to assist as needed and conduct more survey work to determine the best options for righting and moving the vessel. An analysis of the vessel's fuel and ballast tanks has been undertaken to determine what weights would need to be shifted to right the vessel.

As of 8 a.m., weather conditions on scene consist of southwest winds at 15 knots. The seas are at four feet. The closest point of land is Seaguam Island, 115 nautical miles to the north. Seaguam Island is the next island east of Amlia Island in the Aleutians.

From US Coast Guard Press Release