On January 30, the fishing tug Sandy sank on Pere Marquette Lake at Ludington, Michigan. The vessel was at its winter berth when it’s hull was damaged by ice resulting in water ingress and sank. There were no injuries as no one was on board at the time of the sinking. The Coast Guard was notified and dispatched a response team to the scene to monitor salvage and any release of pollution. Reports state a few days later, equipment arrived and was able to hoist the Sandy out of the water.
On February 9, the 42 foot long fishing vessel Moonshadow and the 57 foot long fishing vessel Robert G. Johnston ran aground along the shoreline of Kupreanof Island, Alaska. The vessels had been at their winter anchorage when the anchor drifted allowing both vessels to run aground on a tidal flat. The vessels were visible during low tide, but became submerged during the rising tide. No crew was on board either vessel at the time of the incident. The Coast Guard has dispatched a team to inspect the area for pollution. Both fishing vessels belong to one owner and no details on salvage has been reported.
On January 28, the fishing boat Miss Lynn burned and sank off Port Clyde, Maine. The crew on the Miss Lynn alerted authorities that a fire had broken out in the vessel’s engine room. The Coast Guard dispatched a response boat along with the Cutter Willow to the scene. Before authorities arrived, the two crew on board donned survival suits and jumped into the sea to escape the blaze. A nearby fishing vessel Bug Catcha rescued the two crew. No reports of injuries. The Cutter Willow arrived on scene, but was unable to extinguish the blaze on board the Miss Lynn. The Miss Lynn sank a short time later off Cilley Ledge.