The 110 foot long fishing vessel Pacific Viking caught fire while berthed in Seattle’sShip Canal. The fire started in the vessel’s galley and quickly grew out of control. The crew attempted to extinguish the blaze, but the fire had spread into the fo’c’sle. Local fire fighters responded and were able to bring the fire under control. The crew were able to escape and there were no injuries.
The 20 meter long fishing vessel Zk48 Jettie Martha caught fire off Ameland, Netherlands. The fire broke out in the vessel’s engine room. The crew closed off the engine room and requested assistance. The KNRM dispatched a lifeboat with a fire rescue team to their aid. The fire fighters were able to extinguish the blaze. A salvage tug arrived and took the Zk48 Jettie Martha under tow to Lauwersoog. No reports of injuries or pollution released. An inspection later found the fire had been started by a broken pipe.
On November 9, the 35 meter long fishing vesselAlaska Mist became disable in the Bering Sea off Amak Island. The Alaska Mist with 22 crew had suffered a mechanical failure and had gone adrift. The crew requested assistance with a Coast Guard vessel and helicopter, the tug Resolve Pioneer and another fishing vessel responding. The fishing vessel Pavlof arrived on the scene and took the Alaska Mist under tow.
Photo: USCG
The pair of fishing vessel headed towards Dutch Harbor until the tug Resolve Pioneer arrived. The tug attempted to connect a line, but it suffered equipment failure and had to standoff to make repairs. The Alaska Mist drifted closer to shore when the crew were able to successfully drop anchor. The Coast Guard Cutter Waesche arrived and began to transfer non-essential crewmen. In 35 mph winds and waves reaching 10 feet, the non-essential crew from the Alaska Mist were transferred and a towline was attached. The Waesche towed the Alaska Mist to Unalaska Island where the tug Pioneer Resolve was able to take over the tow. The tug and fishing vessel arrived safely into Dutch Harbor.
One crewman on the Waesche was injured during the transfer of crews. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.
