M/V Selendang Ayu

Oil Spill | Unalaska, Alaska | December 8, 2004

What Happened?

While traveling through the Aleutian Islands, the M/V Selendang Ayu experienced engine trouble. On December 8, 2004, the vessel grounded in rough seas off Unalaska Island, Alaska and broke in half. The rupture resulted in the release of about 350,000 gallons of oil and diesel, as well as 132 million pounds of soybeans.

What Were the Impacts?

Resource impacts from the spill included the following:

  • Shoreline–approximately 86 miles of subtidal and intertidal beach, rocky shore, and vegetated shoreline habitats were oiled
  • Birds–1,795 oiled bird carcasses were collected and oiling on live oiled birds was observed; total bird deaths have not yet been determined
  • Marine mammals–At least two sea otters were determined to have died because of exposure to oil. Oiled live harbor seals were observed. The full extent of dead sea otters and impacts to other marine mammals have not yet been determined
  • Human uses–oil contaminated fishing grounds and subsistence use areas. The State temporarily closed all fisheries in the Makushin/Skan Bay area. The spill and response activities impacted subsistence and recreational use of resources

What’s Happening Now?

NOAA worked with the co-trustees to develop a Final Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment (DARP/EA) for marine resources (shoreline habitats). Previously, a draft DARP/EA was available for public comment from September 4, 2024 to October 3, 2024. The final DARP/EA incorporates information and input from the public comments. 

The “Aleutian Watch Program and Communication Upgrades” is the proposed restoration project to compensate for injuries to shoreline habitat. This program will enhance maritime safety in the Aleutian Islands and prevent future oil spills. The program includes four interrelated efforts: 

  • Upgrading communications capabilities at existing marine safety sites in the Aleutians 
  • Developing a communications plan for vessels on innocent passage
  • Establishing a dedicated 24/7 service to actively track vessels on innocent passage, provide information on marine safety and best practices, identify vessels at risk, and notify responders if necessary
  • Maintaining and enhancing the operations of the Aleutian Islands Waterway Safety Committee

The Trustees are currently preparing a claim to the National Pollution Fund Center (NPFC) for funding to implement the Restoration Plan. Injury assessment and restoration planning for marine mammals, birds, and human uses of natural resources is ongoing and a separate restoration plan will be developed to address those injuries.

The vessel broke in two, releasing about 350,000 of petroleum fuel and marine diesel.
The vessel broke in two, releasing about 350,000 of petroleum fuel and marine diesel.

Contacts

Sarah Allan
NOAA Assessment and Restoration Division
Anchorage, AK
(907) 271-5146
sarah.allan@noaa.gov

 

more images

Members of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service collected bird carcass on January 6, 2005 on a beach littered with soybeans. The wreck of the Selendang Ayu is visible in the background.
Aerial photo showing the large, rusted hull of the grounded M/V Selendang Ayu bulk carrier on a rocky beach in Unalaska, Alaska, with mountains in the background and smaller pieces of wreckage in the dark blue water of the inlet.
A responder wearing a bright orange uniform stands on a rocky shoreline next to a pool of water with a distinct, thick black and rainbow oil slick. The rocks surrounding the tidal pool are covered in algae and some are darkened by oil. The background shows more large rocks and a steep rocky cliff face.
A large bulk carrier ship, M/V Selendang Ayu is seen from above, positioned centrally in a wide body of water. Rocky hills form the coastline on the right, and snow-covered peaks rise in the distance across the water.
A view looking down at the stern of the large white and red cargo ship, M/V Selendang Ayu, in calm, dark blue water. The name 'SELENDANG AYU' is clearly visible in white letters on its stern.
Coastline of Unalaska, Alaska, featuring rock formations and calm ocean water with small tide pools. Rolling hills and mountains, some with patches of snow, create a dramatic backdrop under a partly cloudy sky.

Last updated September 29, 2025