Drilling ship unmoors, drifts toward Alaska

7/16/2012

ANCHORAGE -- An inspection of a Shell drilling ship that lost its mooring and drifted toward shore of an Alaska island showed no signs of damage or grounding, the Coast Guard said Sunday.

Initial estimates showed the Noble Discoverer came within 100 yards of shore in Dutch Harbor before it was towed farther off shore and reanchored Saturday, said P.O. Sara Francis. No injuries, leaks, or pollution have been reported. The Coast Guard planned to review images of the hull of the 571-foot vessel that were taken Sunday.