Sailing ship sinks in Alameda Harbor

(KRON) — A 100-foot-long, double-masted sailing ship sank in the tidal canal of Alameda Harbor Sunday evening.

The Kaisei, a 35-year-old ship owned by the nonprofit organization Ocean Voyages Institute, reportedly sank around 6:14 p.m. No one was aboard the ship when it went under, U.S. Coast Guard District 11 spokesperson Kenneth Wiese told KRON 4

The U.S. Coast Guard and the Alameda Fire Department responded to the scene. No water rescues were performed, and no one was injured in the sinking.

The ship sank while it was attached to a dock behind the Nob Hill Foods grocery store. The ship is not currently blocking harbor traffic.

“The only way [harbor traffic] becomes a concern is if the boat makes its way to the center of the channel,” Wiese said. “Right now it’s out of the way of the channel.”

Investigators are still investigating why the ship sank and what hazardous chemicals may be aboard the ship, Wiese said. The ship is said to have a diesel engine on board. An oil boom was set up around the ship to contain any potential spills at 7:17 p.m. 

“Right now, the site has been contained and we’re going to keep monitoring the situation,” Wiese said.

Ocean Voyages Institute, which provides maritime and environmental education to children, was informed of the sinking.