The tug and barge became disabled about 24 miles southwest of Cape Fairweather. (Map by USCG and Google)
The Sitka-based Coast Guard Cutter Maple is escorting a disabled tug boat and fuel barge to Skagway.
The Nathan E. Stewart is a commercial tug towing a 287-foot barge, carrying more than 2.5 million gallons of fuel. It lost power to its starboard engine and began drifting northwest and 2 mph on Sunday.
The incident happened 24 miles southwest of Cape Fairweather, in 12- to 16-foot seas and winds exceeding 45 mph.
The 225-foot Maple, and the 110-foot Anacapa were diverted to the scene. The Maple, along with the commercial tug Le Cheval Rouge, met up with the disabled tug early Monday morning.
The Rouge is towing it to Skagway, and the Maple is providing a safety escort.
