3 hurt in Alaska ammonia leak on fishing vessel

Three people have been treated for inhalation of ammonia vapors leaking from a Seattle-based fishing vessel as it was docked in Alaska’s Dutch Harbor.

Coast Guard Lt. Jim Fothergill says the slow leak is believed to be coming from a tank holding up to 5,000 pounds of ammonia. The entire cooling system on the 353-foot Excellence contains 20,500 pounds.

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation – notified of the spill Saturday afternoon – says the vessel has been towed more than 7 miles to Wide Bay.

Fothergill says it will be a couple days before the cause and source of the leak can be investigated because the ammonia spill continues.

The three people treated were on board the vessel. Two were transported in stable condition for further treatment in Anchorage.

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