Two in "Pathfinder" crew relieved of duty

Two in tug’s crew grounded after running aground

Posted: <script type=“text/javascript”> wnRenderDate(‘Thursday, December 31, 2009 3:16 PM EST’, ‘’, true); </script>Dec 31, 2009 12:16 PM PST <noscript>Thursday, December 31, 2009 3:16 PM EST</noscript><!–END wnDate–> Updated: <script type=“text/javascript”> wnRenderDate(‘Friday, January 1, 2010 2:01 AM EST’, ‘’, true); </script>Dec 31, 2009 11:01 PM PST <noscript>Friday, January 1, 2010 2:01 AM EST</noscript><!–END wnDate–>
<!–END WNStoryHeader–> Early estimates put the amount of diesel spilled from the Pathfinder at 100 gallons (KTUU-DT)
Prince William Sound (Google maps)

by Channel 2 News staff
Thursday, December 31, 2009
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The captain and second mate of a tugboat that ran aground on Bligh Reef Dec. 23 have been relieved of their duties.
Crowley Marine operates the Pathfinder, which was scouting for ice along Alaska’s oil shipping lanes. The company said Thursday that the two crew members are not on the job at present and are not being paid.
Crowley says the two have not been fired, and they are waiting on the outcome of a Coast Guard investigation to determine any further action.
A company representative told Channel 2 News that once Crowley has a better understanding of what happened, it will decide if the two should be put back on the job.
The company is not releasing the names of the tug’s crew members at this time but says there were six people on board when the Pathfinder went aground, spilling an estimated 100 gallons of diesel fuel.
Meanwhile a new Crowley tug – the Guardian – will take over for the Pathfinder at the Port of Valdez. That tug was expected in port Thursday evening.
Contact Channel 2 News at news_desk@ktuu.com