January 15th, 2012
02:49 AM ET

Russian fuel tanker reaches Alaskan town bound by ice

A Russian tanker carrying fuel arrived in the Alaskan town of Nome on Saturday night, the Coast Guard said, as officials started preparations on delivering the much-needed supplies.

U.S Coast Guard ice breaker Cutter Healy accompanied the fuel tanker Renda as it made its way through the frozen waters carrying 1.3 million gallons of petroleum products.

"The first step is to ensure the ice is safe for the personnel to walk on," said Chief Petty Officer Kip Wadlow. "Then they will work to connect the piping and check for leaks. Safety is our primary concern."

The cutter has broken through almost 300 miles of ice for the tanker on a journey that took them through southern Alaska's Aleutian Islands. The voyage is the first-ever attempt to supply fuel to an Arctic Alaska settlement through sea ice.

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Filed under: Alaska • Russia • U.S. • World
soundoff (14 Responses)
  1. Scottish Mama

    Chug, Chug, Chuggin' along.

    January 15, 2012 at 5:48 am | Report abuse |
  2. Gravity7

    Reblogged this on Gravity7.

    January 15, 2012 at 7:40 am | Report abuse |
  3. Tcr c2

    I hope that gas prices dont go up in california to pay for this wouldnt that suck

    January 15, 2012 at 8:29 am | Report abuse |
  4. RUFFNUTT ( SHIP GUIDENCE COMPUTER MAKER )

    leave it to the russians to find an opertunity to make 100% profit..

    January 15, 2012 at 8:34 am | Report abuse |
  5. ronvan

    While a good story to help others it would be a shame if prices went through the roof! It would turn it into just another money making deal. This coast guard ice breaker must have one heck of a bow on it!

    January 15, 2012 at 9:31 am | Report abuse |
  6. CAROL

    Hellllloooo if the ice has to be broken by a Coast Guard cutter I think it is strong enough for a person to walk on..good grief..personally I am wondering whyyyy AMERICA has not made better strides to provide for it's own state and citizens.They knew things were and are bad..they could have done something early in the game.
    PS Gas prices are already high and went up 20 cents this last week. They say it had nothing to do with that incident though.

    January 15, 2012 at 10:26 am | Report abuse |
  7. gung hoe

    The reason why the gas went up this past week is because of iran threatening to shut off the oil thru that strait.Mind you they havnt done anything .I think if someone in the mid east farts it gives the gas companys a reason to raise the price of gas!

    January 15, 2012 at 11:36 am | Report abuse |
  8. Pp

    We must fart alot in the uk then

    January 15, 2012 at 1:00 pm | Report abuse |
  9. gung hoe

    @pp you misunderstood. The last time I looked the UK was not in the mid east!

    January 15, 2012 at 1:24 pm | Report abuse |
  10. rooney©

    I'm glad Nome will get their fuel. Good job Healy, Renda, and crews!

    January 15, 2012 at 1:29 pm | Report abuse |
  11. RUFFNUTT ( words with friends world champion )

    why didn't they just call the ice road truckers?

    January 15, 2012 at 3:42 pm | Report abuse |
  12. Mmmmm ♔♕

    lol...sarah palin wouldn't be lyin' now if she says she sees russians...

    January 15, 2012 at 6:29 pm | Report abuse |
  13. rooney©

    😉

    January 16, 2012 at 6:50 am | Report abuse |
  14. REALITY IS

    NOW THATS WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT

    January 16, 2012 at 10:08 am | Report abuse |
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