The Magone Marine landing craft that sunk in Unalaska yesterday is still on the bottom. The vessel Joshua was moored to a Magone barge in Dutch Harbor when it suddenly went down Thursday morning. 

 

Magone personnel had planned to refloat the Joshua today. But manager Kenneth Willis says that can't happen until they stop a fuel leak in the bow of the ship. So far, about 250 gallons of diesel have spilled into a containment boom. Once they plug the leak, Willis says Magone personnel will use a crane to lift the sunken ship out of the water. That should happen over the weekend. 

 

Magone has owned the Joshua for several years and never had substantial problems with it, Willis says. The ship was inspected Wednesday night and appeared to be in good condition -- but by 8 am the next morning, it was underwater. Coast Guard Lt. Jim Fothergill says his officers will investigate the cause of the sinking once the Joshua is raised.