Aleutian Storm Wreck
127 images Created 11 Feb 2024
On the mornings of February 12-13, 2024, Fishermen from Bodega Bay gather in an attempt to rescue the fishing boat Aleutian Storm from Salmon Creek Beach, having run aground on the night of February 9. After multiple broken tow ropes during high tides the effort was suspended.
Located in the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, and at a site where endangered Snowy Plovers nest, officials did not want to disturb the habitat area by allowing large machinery on the beach. However, in the face of the much greater environmental impacts of not acting fast and letting the boat break up with several thousand gallons of Diesel fuel on board, logic prevailed and two excavators were brought in on the morning of February 12. With a tug boat towing and excavator working, it seemed like the effort was about to pay off, then the rope broke again. The ship's captain, Chris Fox and his crew abandoned the vessel by jumping into the excavator bucket and being dropped on shore.
On the night of February 18, high swell from a violent winter storm smashed the Aleutian Storm to pieces, leaving just the steel hull buried in the sand. 1500 gallons of diesel fuel were lost to the sea and contaminated the beach.
Salvage and cleanup efforts have been ongoing. A public beach cleanup was organized by Coast Walk and California State Parks staff and occurred on March 23rd. About 85 people showed up to help and made a big dent in the polystyrene foam that has been littering the beach. State Park staff is continuing efforts to clean up the beach and is monitoring snowy plover nests within the crash site area.
Located in the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, and at a site where endangered Snowy Plovers nest, officials did not want to disturb the habitat area by allowing large machinery on the beach. However, in the face of the much greater environmental impacts of not acting fast and letting the boat break up with several thousand gallons of Diesel fuel on board, logic prevailed and two excavators were brought in on the morning of February 12. With a tug boat towing and excavator working, it seemed like the effort was about to pay off, then the rope broke again. The ship's captain, Chris Fox and his crew abandoned the vessel by jumping into the excavator bucket and being dropped on shore.
On the night of February 18, high swell from a violent winter storm smashed the Aleutian Storm to pieces, leaving just the steel hull buried in the sand. 1500 gallons of diesel fuel were lost to the sea and contaminated the beach.
Salvage and cleanup efforts have been ongoing. A public beach cleanup was organized by Coast Walk and California State Parks staff and occurred on March 23rd. About 85 people showed up to help and made a big dent in the polystyrene foam that has been littering the beach. State Park staff is continuing efforts to clean up the beach and is monitoring snowy plover nests within the crash site area.
