Navy recovers security patrol boat that sank near Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor shoreline
BANGOR — A small Navy vessel that struck a security barrier and sank on the perimeter of Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor on Jan. 19 was recovered from the waters without a major oil leak, according to a recent statement from the Navy. The Navy will dispose of the boat at a Naval facility southwest of Tacoma and is currently investigating the cause of the incident that injured three sailors.
The sunken vessel was a surface patrol boat that the Navy used in routine waterborne patrol operations, said Naval Base Kitsap spokesperson Joe Kubistek. The Navy recovered the 36-foot safety patrol boat from the waters along the shoreline of the Bangor base without safety issues or environmental incidents, according to NBK.
Read more:3 injured after Navy vessel crashes, sinks at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor
Most oil remains on the boat
Initial inspection of the vessel showed that most of the boat's oil and hazardous substances remained on the vessel after the incident and during the recovery operations, according to a statement issued by NBK on Wednesday.
The Navy said they observed "sporadic patches of sheening on the water surface" at the resting spot of the boat after the incident and during the recovery, but the observations "were intermittent and not consistent with a large release".
Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific (SWFPAC) managed the recovery operations with support from Mobile Dive Salvage Unit 1, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. and several NBK tenant commands. Navy personnel raised the boat from about 160 feet below the surface of the Hood Canal, placed it on a Navy barge, and moved the boat to an on-base maintenance facility, according to the statement.
"Teamwork played a big role in the success of this recovery effort," said Capt. Keith Fahlenkamp, SWFPAC Commanding Officer.
The security patrol boat is at the end of its planned service life and will not be repaired, Kubistek said. The Navy will dispose of the boat via Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Disposal Services at Joint Base Lewis McCord, located at the southwest of Tacoma in Pierce County, Kubistek said.
The cause of this incident as well as damage to the vessel remain under investigation, Kubistek said.
Throughout the incident, the Navy communicated closely with the United States Coast Guard representatives and kept them informed of any environmental issues or concerns and the status of its recovery operations. The Navy also initiated consultations with other agencies to further attempt to minimize the impact to cultural and natural resources caused by the incident, according to NBK.
"Our environmental team takes seriously the importance of protecting the environment and wildlife while supporting the many missions performed from NBK,” Naval Base Kitsap Commanding Officer Capt. Rich Massie said.
The three injured crewmembers involved in the incident were released from the hospital. All sailors are expected to make a full recovery, according to the Navy.
Reporter Peiyu Lin covers the military for the Kitsap Sun. She can be reached at pei-yu.lin@kitsapsun.com or on Twitter @peiyulintw.
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Small boat that sank near Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor recovered
