 Recovery effort underway August 19, 2008
The landing craft sank in 30 feet of water, approximately 20 feet from shore. A fuel truck that was located on the deck of the vessel is currently floating free, but remains tangled in the Saltery Provider's cargo boom.  Photograph courtesy U.S.C.G.
Alaska Commercial Divers are on scene and have initiated a salvage plan for approval to the Coast Guard and Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. The initial plan involves lightering the fuel off the fuel truck, craning the fuel truck out, and then raising the Saltery Provider at low tide Tuesday evening. The fuel vents of the Saltery Provider have been plugged, however, diesel oil continues to weep from the vessel. The Rudyard Bay has boomed off two adjacent salmon streams prior to laying boom around the Saltery Provider. The oil spill response organization SEA-PRO arrived on scene Monday. SEA-PRO responded with the response vessel RUDYARD BAY containing a harbor boom and oil skimmers to clean up any spilled oil.  Photograph courtesy U.S.C.G. The vessel Saltery Provider was encircled Monday with a sorbent boom to contain any diesel fuel that had escaped. In addition on Monday, the owner/ operator contracted with Alaska Commercial Divers Inc. to coordinate the salvage. Members of Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment in Ketchikan were also on scene Monday coordinating oil spill recovery efforts and the salvage of the tank truck and landing craft. The Saltery Provider, a 52-foot uninspected landing craft, was at anchor with an oil tank truck on deck when it took on water and capsized in Saltery Cove, Monday at 6 a.m. The vessel has on board approximately 3,500 gallons of diesel while the tank truck contains approximately 2,500 gallons of diesel. The Coast Guard received the report that the 52-foot uninspected landing craft SALTERY PROVIDER which was at anchor with an oil truck took on water and capsized in Saltery Cove, Monday at 6 a.m.
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