Derelict tug scuttled off Southeast Alaska

The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) Docks and Harbors and Global Diving and Salvage, assisted by US Coast Guard Sector Juneau, scuttled the derelict tug Lumberman offshore Southeast Alaska on Sunday, May 2.

The US Coast Guard fast response cutter John McCormick towed Lumberman, a 107-foot (32-metre), steel-hulled tug, to a position 54 miles (86 kilometres) west of Cross Sound where it was sunk in over 8,400 feet (2,560 metres) of water.

Sector Juneau accessed the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund in 2017 to remove petroleum product and again in 2020 to secure the derelict vessel when it became adrift in Gastineau Channel. Prior to the scuttling, CBJ hired Global Diving and Salvage to remove hazardous material and approximately 250 cubic yards (190 cubic metres) of debris, conducted a stability assessment, and prepped Lumberman for sinking.

Following environmental consultation with key stakeholders, CBJ obtained an EPA General Permit for vessel disposal at sea.

The decision to dispose of Lumberman at sea was made after it was determined to be derelict and posed a significant public safety risk.

The coast guard said the tug had been abandoned in the Gastineau Channel in 2016.