NOAA Alaska SSC was notified at 1930 on January 11 that 3200 barrels of diesel was released from an underground tank operated by Adak Petroleum from an underground tank on the west side of Sweeper Cove, upslope from the small boat harbor. Fuel was being transferred from a tanker at the adjacent loading dock, when overflow of the tank occurred discharging the diesel into an adjacent oil/water separator. This unit was also overwhelmed and the fuel entered Helmet Creek which flows into the small boat harbor. Initially, two areas of hard boom with sorbent boom were placed along the creek and a vac truck was deployed at the oil/water separator. As of the morning of Jan. 12, it is believed that the vast majority of the diesel was confined to or collected in the stream, and only an estimated 1000 gallons had entered the small boat harbor. Apparently conditions are fairly calm in Sweeper Cove. The Coast Guard is planning on chartering a flight out to Adak to ascertain the situation. Current weather at Adak Island is NW winds at 30 kts, seas 9 feet; however, Sweeper Cove is in the wind shadow on the eastern side of the island.

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Note: Documents are posted chronologically and early reports likely contain factual errors. These errors may be corrected in a later report.