Unalaska, AK – The clean up of the F/V Mar-Gun is still underway. The Coast Guard has been on scene on St. George Island since the vessel grounded two weeks ago, but the clean-up process has been hampered by high winds and high surf since Friday. So far the team has removed 17,195 gallons of oil and fuel from the vessel.

Due to harsh weather, the clean-up team will change tactics and use a commercial helicopter to hoist the remaining 1,700 gallons of fluids off in barrels. Coast Guard officials say this will reduce hazards for both the clean-up crew and the environment.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Sara Francis said about 800 gallons of fuel and 100 gallons of oil will be left on board to help facilitate the rest of the clean up and removal process.

"The fluids left on board are to facilitate using the machinery on board. The generators that run the electricity make it much easier for us to see what's going on while we're on the ship, inside."

Two thousand gallons of clean diesel removed from the ship were donated to the village of St. George. The rest will be sent to Unalaska for cleaning or proper disposal. The 112-foot trawl vessel is in good condition and will be salvageable.

"There has been some minor damage to the hull in some areas and they are making efforts to repair those portions and will dewater the engine room. Once that's complete they are looking at moving the vessel at high tide," Francis said.

However, the removal might be hampered by the weather. Sea ice has moved into the area. Though the waves are smaller, the ice might hinder the use of winches and ground tackle.

The clean up process and all of the equipment are being monitored closely to prevent any spills. The vessel is located on a subsistence beach where local people collect mussels. The Coast Guard and Magone Marine plan on removing the vessel before the fur seals return to the area in early May.

A salvage plan for the F/V Icy Mist is also in the works. The 58-foot fishing vessel went aground on Akutan in late February. All four crew members were safely rescued but 60,000 pounds of cod were left on board. The boat's owner plans on removing the vessel then scrapping it, but first they have to remove the rotting fish. Francis says this could be potentially dangerous - rotting fish creates hydrogen sulfide which in high concentrations can lead to loss of consciousness or death.

"If a vessel has freezers and it goes aground and electricity to the freezers is lost and you have large volumes of fish decaying, once you open one of those doors you can release the gas."

The gas can be extremely dangerous because if you are exposed to it for too long, you no longer sense the odor. It often develops in pockets and more can be spontaneously released. The salvage plan for the Icy Mist is due to the Coast Guard on Friday. The Mar-Gun did not have any fish on board at the time of the incident. Both incidents are still under investigation.