Peter Pan reports gasoline spill

Alaska pollution regulators are investigating an estimated 3,468-gallon gasoline spill at a Peter Pan Seafoods tank farm at False Pass.

The gas apparently didn't go into the water. Rather, it's in a lined containment area, the state Department of Environmental Conservation says.

Adak diesel spill pollutes harbor

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation says the diesel spill from a bulk storage tank at Adak is estimated at up to 142,800 gallons, with 1,000 gallons running down Helmet Creek into the small-boat harbor. The photo shows diesel accumulating behind containment boom. The spill occurred as fuel was being pumped to the underground tank from a tanker moored at the fuel pier in Sweeper Cove, the DEC says. Aleut Enterprise runs the fuel business at Adak, an ex-military outpost in the Aleutians. DEC photo

An update on the Adak fuel spill

The U.S. Coast Guard today today corrected some information from yesterday's press release on the diesel spill in Adak's Sweeper Cove.

The leaking fuel tank actually holds 114,000 barrels, or about 4.79 million gallons, and was filled to near capacity.

"A small portion of that was released. We are working on a solid number," said Sara Francis, a Coast Guard spokeswoman in Kodiak.

"Boom and absorbents has been deployed in several areas and some diesel has been recovered from choke points along the stream," Francis said.

Tank leaks diesel into Adak's Sweeper Cove

This just in from the U.S. Coast Guard:

Jan. 11, 2010

Coast Guard responds to fuel spill near Adak

KODIAK — Coast Guard Sector Anchorage personnel are responding to a report of a leaking underground diesel tank that has spilled into Sweeper Cove on Adak Island.

Coast Guard watchstanders at the Sector Anchorage command center received a report about 6:40 p.m. today from Adak Petroleum stating a tank containing approximately 113,000 gallons of No. 2 diesel had reportedly released an unknown amount of fuel.

Adak Petroleum personnel reported the diesel is contained with boom inside the cove. They are also using recovery equipment to clean up the fuel.

Coast Guard and Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation responders are planning to fly to Adak on Tuesday to investigate the magnitude of the spill and monitor cleanup activities.

Coast Guard, DEC, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Adak Petroleum are all working together to respond to the incident.

Pathfinder limping back to port, captain relieved

Here's a few more update items on the Pathfinder, the tug that sustained major damage Wednesday after hitting Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound:

• The Pathfinder is expected to arrive in Valdez around 10 p.m. tonight, having been taken under tow at 2 p.m. off Busby Island, the state Department of Environmental Conservation said.

• About 36,000 gallons of mixed diesel and water were removed from the tug's damaged fuel tanks, the DEC said.

• At least six commercial fishing vessels helped with operations to skim what diesel managed to escape the tug, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

• Still no word from investigators or Crowley Maritime Corp., operator of the Pathfinder, on why the tug crew hit a navigational hazard as notorious as Bligh Reef.

• The tug's master and second mate have been relieved of duty pending further investigation, said Crowley, based in Jacksonville, Fla.