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Tag: Alaska

Canis Majoris

Canis Majoris

Hubbard

On the evening of February 20, the 43 foot long fishing vessel Canis Majoris went missing in the Nichols Passage near Thorne Bay, Prince of Wales Island, Alaska. The Coast Guard was alerted by the fishing vessel’s EPIRB and launched a search and rescue operation. The Coast Guard deployed a helicopter from Sitka along with a fast response boat from Ketchikan and the 46 meter long cutter John McCormick to search the area. The 86 meter long, 6096 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Hubbard (IMO:9812808) was headed for Juneau was nearby and joined in the search.  The Hubbard found a life raft and floating debris but no survivors. The Coast Guard continued the search for another 25 hours before calling it off.  Authorities stated there was likely only one person onboard at the time the vessel was lost.

John McCormick

Northern Endurance

Northern Endurance

Northern Endurance
Photo: kucb.org

On January 23, the 24 meter long, 160 gt fishing vessel Northern Endurance (IMO: 9095022) ran aground in Unalaska Bay near Priest Rock, Unalaska, Alaska. The fishing vessel ended up partially beached until the following morning until salvagers were able to pull it free.  There were no reports of injuries, damage or pollution released. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident. Reports state the vessel may have gone aground due to various reasons, but the cause had not yet been disclosed.

Tanusha

Tanusha

Tanusha
Photo: craftsmenunitedinc.com

On the morning of January 15, the 58 foot long fishing vessel Tanusha capsized and sank in the Gulf of Alaska 23 miles southeast of Kodiak, Alaska. Authorities received an alert from the Tanusha’s EPIRB and dispatched a Jayhawk helicopter to the scene. The nearby 31 meter long fishing vessel Victory (IMO: 9702376) also responded to the distress call and found the 2 crew of the Tanusha in a life raft. One crew member had suffered an injury and was suffering from hypothermia. The 2 crew would later be airlifted by a Jayhawk helicopter and taken to Kodiak for medical treatment.

Reports state the crew decided to abandon ship when the fishing vessel began to take on water. The cause of the water ingress was not disclosed. Authorities have not stated if the incident will be investigated.

A report states the vessel may have been fishing at the time of the incident as tanner crab season had started in the area.