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Tag: Alaska

Wind Walker

Wind Walker

Wind Walker
Photo: Visit Sitka Facebook Page

Just after midnight on December 1, the 50 foot long fishing vessel Wind Walker (MMSI: 367610250) capsized and sunk in the Icy Strait near Point Couverden, Alaska. The Wind Walker had sent out a distress call stating the vessel was “overturning” which was received by the nearby 85 meter long, 6096 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Hubbard (IMO:9812808). The Hubbard relayed the message to the United States Coast Guard. The Coast Guard also received an EPIRB alert from the Wind Walker suggesting the vessel had foundered after it capsized.

Hubbard
Ferry Hubbard

The ferry Hubbard was first to reach the area of the distress call. The search found seven cold-water immersion suits and two strobe lights in the sea. The Coast Guard was conducting the search of the area with a Jayhawk helicopter and a 45-foot response boat. The search is also being assisted by the Hubbard and other fishing vessels for the missing crew of the Wind Walker. Unconfirmed reports state there were 5 crew on board the Wind Walker at the time. The Coast Guard stated the fishing vessel had been in rough conditions with heavy blinding snow with 60 mile per hour winds and seas with 6 foot swells. The Coast Guard has stated they have the cutter Healy is now in the search area and the cutter Douglas Denman was being directed to the area to assist in the efforts.

Carole B

Carole B

Carole B
Photo: kfsk.org

On the night of November 13, the 65 foot long fishing vessel Carole B (MMSI: 367173750) caught fire on the Frederick Sound while berthed in Petersburg, Alaska. Reports state the fire started by a portable heater near or within the vessel’s galley. A person passing through the area spotted the smoke coming from the fishing vessel and alerted local fire fighters.  The local fire fighters were able to completely extinguish the blaze in an hour and a half. No one was on board the Carole B at the time of the fire.

Reports state the vessel did sustain material damage and extensive smoke damage. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Pan Viva

Pan Viva

Pan Viva
Photo: kucb.org

On October 11, the 225 meter long, 75,026 bulk carrier Pan Viva (IMO:9453494) sustained stability issues in the Unalaska Bay off Unalaska Island, Alaska. The Pan Viva dropped anchor but struggled to remain stable with 58 knot winds and waves reaching 30 feet.  The bulk carrier requested assistance and had four of the 21 crew on board airlifted off the vessel.

Pan Viva
Photo: alaskapublic.org

Authorities are monitoring the Pan Viva with a tugboat and coast guard cutter on standby.  Reports state that conditions are too dangerous to provide any assistance to the bulk carrier until conditions improve. There is concern that the Pan Viva may run ashore with the potential to release some 300,000 metric tons of fuel like the Selendang Ayu in 2004.

On December 8 2004, the 225 meter long 72,937 dwt bulk carrier Selendang Ayu (IMO:9145528) suffered engine failure and ran aground just north of Unalaska. With  60 mile per hour winds and 25 foot waves, helicopters attempted to rescue 24 crew off the vessel. Unfortunately a rogue wave struck one of the helicopters killing six crew. Later the Selendang Ayu broke in two releasing 336,000 gallons of fuel oil killing thousands of birds and other maritime wildlife.  The environmental cleanup took until June 2006.