thumb|Selendang Ayu off [[Unalaska Island]]
MV Selendang Ayu, , was a Malaysian-registered Panamax bulk cargo ship chartered by the IMC Group. It ran aground off Unalaska Island in western Alaska's Aleutian Islands on 8 December 2004 after its engine failed. Six crew members died when a rescue helicopter was engulfed by a breaking wave; the ship broke in two, resulting in a large oil spill.
Final voyage
On 28 November 2004, Selendang Ayu left Seattle, Washington, bound for Xiamen, China. On board was a cargo of of soybeans, along with of fuel oil. Arrival in China was scheduled for 17 December but the ship was running at reduced speed due to high winds and heavy seas. The Coast Guard searched unsuccessfully for the remaining crew until their efforts were called off on 10 December.
Impact
The ship had been carrying a significant amount of fuel, so there were fears that Selendang Ayu could create the worst Alaskan oil spill since Exxon Valdez. One tank containing of fuel ruptured when the ship broke apart. It is estimated that of heavy bunker C fuel oil and of diesel fuel were on board when she grounded. Ultimately, of bunker oil and diesel spilled, which is about 2.9% of the volume of crude oil spilled from Exxon Valdez. The crew had transferred the fuel to internal tanks when the ship foundered, and heaters were turned off so that the fuel would thicken in the cold waters. However, environmental officials estimate that up to 1.28 million liters of thick fuel oil () leaked from the freighter.
The carcasses of over 1,600 birds and 6 sea otters were recovered from beaches along the western shore of Unalaska Island after the spill.
Notes
External links
- State of Alaska incident report
- Crew describes rescue mission. Anchorage Daily News.
- More Oil Spilled than first estimated CBC
- Maritimequest Selendang Ayu Photo Gallery
- National Transportation Safety Board Report
- Wreck Site entry