Coast Guard Responds to Grounding, Possible Fuel Spill in RI

The vessel “Virginia Wave” grounded. Photo/USCG

The Coast Guard responded to a vessel that ran aground in the West Passage of Narragansett Bay, near Austin Hollow, early Monday morning, resulting in reports of diesel fuel in the area.

File photo of “Virginia Wave” from USCG.

The commercial fishing vessel Virginia Wave was grounded and reportedly listing roughly one nautical mile north of the Beavertail Light. Coast Guard Station Point Judith and the Narragansett Bay Task Force responded to the scene.

The vessel Deep Cygnus responded to the Coast Guard’s urgent marine information broadcast for assistance and aided in rescuing all four of the Virginia Wave’s passengers. A second good samaritan, the Jack M commercial fishing vessel, took the passengers on board and no injuries were reported.

The Coast Guard established a 500-yard safety zone around the Virginia Wave throughout the evening.

The Virginia Wave ran aground and began to list during the outgoing tide. The vessel successfully floated during this morning’s incoming tide. Safe Sea, a subsidiary of Towboat US, successfully transferred the crew back to the Virginia Wave after its floating.

The Virginia Wave was able to get underway and was escorted by Coast Guard Station Castle Hill responders to Gutterman’s Pier in Quonset.

During their initial response, Jamestown Police Marine units detected a diesel smell and saw a visible sheen coming from the Virginia Wave. But Coast Guard officials said they were unable to estimate the size of any diesel spill from the vessel.

The cause of the Virginia Wave running aground, and any environmental impacts, pollution, or fuel sheens remain under investigation with the Coast Guard.