Vessel Sinks in Berth at Valdez Small Boat Harbor

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A vessel sank in its berth at the Valdez Small Boat Harbor Wednesday evening, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Coast Guard spokesperson Lt. j.g. Allison Ferko says Coast Guard responders in Valdez responded at about 11:10 p.m. to a report that the 47-foot-long Janice Ruth II appeared to be sinking in its berth, where they found it listing to starboard and 75 percent submerged.

Private divers from R&R Diving placed a containment boom and sorbent pads early Thursday morning around the vessel, which had a reported maximum capacity of 500 gallons of diesel fuel and 25 gallons of hydraulic oil. Ferko says the boom was just a precaution, and that only a small sheen was reportedly visible within the boom.

Later Thursday, the International Bank of Texas identified itself as the responsible party for the Janice Ruth II, announcing that it had hired R&R to mitigate pollution.

The cause of the sinking is under investigation, with no plans yet made for salvaging the vessel.