The 20 meter long towboat Sonny J partially sank on the Mississippi River near Vidalia, Louisiana. The towboat sank with some 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel on board, but the fuel tank vents remained above water. Reports state the vents have been sealed and a containment boom has been deployed around the vessel. A light sheen could be seen around the Sonny J and absorbent pads were used to collect the pollution. No reports of injuries. The cause of the sinking is under investigation.
On February 11, the 98 foot long fishing vessel Destination was reported missing and presumed lost in the Bering Sea northwest of St. George Island, Alaska. The Coast Guard received an automated EPIRB signal (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) from the fishing vessel around 7:15 a.m. Saturday morning.
The Coast Guard dispatched helicopters and directed two nearby vessels to search for the Destination. Citizens on St. George Island began searching the shoreline for possible survivors or any signs of the fishing vessel.
By 10 a.m. the beacon was found in a debris field that included a buoy and life ring that had the fishing vessel’s name on it. An oil sheen was visible in the water indicating the vessel may have foundered in the vicinity.
Conditions were reported to be typical in the area with snow showers, waves reaching 2 to 3 meters and winds gusting up to 30 miles per hour.
The Coast Guard confirmed there were six crew on board the Destination when the vessel departed from Seattle.
A Coast Guard cutter from Dutch Harbor was dispatched and expected to be on site to aid in the search and rescue efforts.
On February 6, the 30 meter long fishing vessel Min Long Yu 66822 sank in the Strait of Formosa near Penghu Islands, Taiwan. The Min Long Yu 66822 alerted authorities the vessel was in distress in moderate seas with waves reaching 4 meters. The fishing vessel had suffered uncontrolled water ingress. As the fishing vessel flooded, it developed a severe list to starboard.
Chinese authorities dispatched two helicopters while Taiwanese officials launched rescue boats to aid in the search and rescue operation. One helicopter arrived on scene first and hosted all 11 crew off the Min Long Yu. One crewman sustained minor injuries during the rescue.
