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