Aided by lightened fuel tanks and a high tide, the 50-foot commercial fishing vessel that ran aground on Patos Island shortly after midnight Monday, refloated itself by late Tuesday.

Once back on the water, the Ruby Lily was inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Washington Department of Ecology to ensure that the boat’s systems were operating and to check for fuel leaks.

The boat was expected to arrive in Anacortes Wednesday morning for any repairs and to refuel.

The Ruby Lily ran aground on the south side of Patos Island at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. One person was onboard the vessel, which sustained minor damage.

According to Ecology, it was carrying nearly 4,500 gallons of fuel, but only leaked an estimated 1 gallon of fuel and oil during the incident. Ecology and the Coast Guard responded to the scene and oversaw the removal of nearly 2,500 gallons of fuel from the Ruby Lily during the

day. A containment boom was placed around the vessel as a preventive measure in the event of a spill.

Initially, a spill-response contractor was hired by the Coast Guard through use of the federal Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. The fund helps cover costs associated with refloating, salvaging or cleaning up oil pollution.

The boat’s owner took over the costs of the response, hiring Global Diving and Salvage Co., Vessel Assist, and Islands’ Oil Spill Association, a non-profit oil spill response organization that operates in the San Juans.