Massive fishing boat runs aground at popular beach with 1,000 gallons of diesel on board

The Lake Bay became stranded early Friday at North Beach in Point Reyes National Seashore, according to an alert from the National Park Service (NPS).

As crews began responding to the grounding, the park service announced the temporary closing of North Beach and North Beach Road.

Fox News Digital reached out to the NPS for further comment and details.

Crews were coordinating with the party responsible for the vessel and a contracted salvage company to remove the fuel, the Coast Guard said.

Capt. Jack Moran, owner of Sea Tow Cape May in New Jersey, told Fox News Digital that access and timing can pose challenges when dealing with a grounded vessel. 

"The biggest thing is going to be accessibility," Moran said, noting that crews have to contend with tides, currents and changing conditions. "Time is the enemy. You want to try and get it off there as quickly as possible." (He is not connected to or involved with the Lake Bay fishing boat.) 

"Moving a product like that is challenging at a dock, let alone removing squid from a boat on a beach," he said.

For the Coast Guard, safety and environmental concerns remained at the center of the response.

The National Park Service asked visitors to stay away from North Beach while the closure is in effect to allow first responders to work safely.

The cause of the grounding remains under investigation, the Coast Guard said.

The Blue Lagoon Cruises vessel struck a reef after worsening weather caused its anchor to drag.

Passengers were taken back to Port Denarau, where the cruise line arranged hotel accommodations and alternative activities. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew.

Jessica Mekles of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.