ANCHORAGE, AK – While en route to Kodiak for annual fishing vessel training on Sunday, March 30th, the tow wire from the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company Ship Escort Response Vessel System’s (SERVS) tug Endurance to the Nearshore Response Barge 500-2 parted. No injuries have occurred.

The SERVS prevention response tug Attentive was dispatched Sunday at 1622 and arrived on scene at 0520 Monday morning. At 1055 Monday morning, the Attentive took the response barge in tow and is presently en route to Kodiak.

There are17 people on board the response barge – 11 Tatitlek Chenega Chugach (TCC) personnel, 1 Doyon Universal Medic and 5 Crowley Maritime personnel. Alyeska, Crowley, Doyon and TCC placed a top priority on the safety of the crews of the tug and the barge. Alyeska personnel said there was never a period in which the safety of the crew was compromised as a result of the parted towline.

At the time of the incident winds were blowing over 60 knots and the seas were averaging 25 feet. As of Monday afternoon, the seas and winds had abated to 12 feet and 50 knots.

Alyeska dispatched the Attentive to take control of the barge due to the higher maneuverability of the Attentive in the reported weather conditions. The tug Endurance could have taken control of the response barge had there been any risk to the crew.

State and Federal notifications have been made. An incident investigation is underway to identify the cause and circumstances surrounding the failure of the tow wire.

The Attentive and response barge are due in Kodiak Tuesday evening.

Crowley Maritime operates the tugs Attentive and Endurance under contract for Alyeska Pipelines SERVS organization and TCC operates the response barge.