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Arctic Sea

Arctic Sea

FV Arctic Sea

On the early morning of January 5, the 41 meter long, 485 gt fishing vessel Arctic Sea (IMO: 7819216) ran aground in the Bering Sea just off St. George Island, Alaska. The fishing vessel with 9 crew on board had run aground in a gale.  The vessel was stranded a few hundred feet off the high cliffs of the north shore of the island. The Arctic Sea had sustained hull damage with water ingress.  The crew sent out a distress call as conditions worsen with swells reported to between 10 to 20 feet and wind gusts reaching up to 65 knots. The crew donned survival suits and launched the vessel’s life raft preparing to abandon ship if necessary.

Arctic Sea
Photo: Marinetraffic.com

The 37 meter long fishing vessel North Sea (IMO: 7915905) responded and stood by to assist as conditions prevented the vessel approaching any closer to the stranded Arctic Sea. MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Cold Bay and an HC-130 Super Hercules crew from Kodiak, and diverted the cutter Alex Haley to the area, according to Ransom The United States Coast Guard dispatched a rescue MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Cold Bay assisted by a HC-130 Super Hercules from Kodiak to the scene. The cutter Alex Haley was diverted towards the area.  The MH-60 helicopter would reached the stranded Arctic Sea and was able the hoist all 9 crew safely on board.

Reports state all 9 crew were flown to St. Paul Island where they were met by medical personnel.  No reports of injuries to the crew.

Nine Boats Sunk by Snow

Nine Boats Sunk by Snow

Juneau Harbor
Photo: Juneau Harbor

According to local news reports, the record-breaking snow in Juneau, Alaska has resulted in multiple vessels of various sizes to sink in the Gastineau Channel within the Juneau harbor.  The Juneau harbor typically operates with a smaller workforce during the winter months and were quickly overwhelmed by the heavy snowfall.  On December 30, there had been 16 inches of snow and by the end of December the total snowfall had reached 50 inches.

The workers in the harbor would clear snow off nearly 50 vessels, but at least 9 would either capsize or sink. This includes many personal watercraft along with larger vessels.  Reports state the 54 foot fishing vessel Julie Ann sunk in the harbor. Reports state that workers are dewatering and refloat the impacted vessels, but efforts have been hampered by weather and resources.

 

Pavlof

Pavlof

Pavlof
Photo: khns.org

On the morning of December 4, the 27 meter long fishing vessel Pavlof (MMSI: 338132058) sank in the Chilkat Inlet within the harbor of Haines, Alaska.  Harbor authorities were alerted finding the Pavlof resting on the bottom on its port hull.  Booms were placed around the partially sunk hull to help contain some of the 1300 gallons of diesel fuel onboard.  Staff would continued to help secure the  vessel as it disconnected the electrical and connections to free the vessel.  Work continued well into the evening with divers attaching lines to the hull and connecting the fishing vessel to a barge.

On the following morning, the Pavlof’s was secured and partially refloated and was upright. Three of the 4 fuel vents were closed and the remaining fuel can be pumped off the vessel. Initial reports suggest that snow may have been the cause of the sinking. No reports of injuries.