Shipwreck Log

The 150 foot long fishing-processing vessel Alaskan Leader suffered an engine room fire near the Unimak Pass in the Bering Sea.  The Alaskan Leader was heading back to harbor after a six-week fishing trip with 9,000 pounds of frozen cod when a fire broke out in the electrical system.   The fire spread through the vessel and the vessel soon lost lights and power.  The master quickly alerted the Coast Guard of the situation while   the 23 crew on board attempted to extinguish the fire.   For several hours the crew fought the blaze until the master of the vessel order the men to prepare to abandon ship.  Three other fishing vessels who heard the distress call from the Alaskan Leader reached the scene.  They were able to provide enough light to allow the Alaskan Leader crew to finally extinguish the blaze.  The Coast Guard cutter arrived on the scene and the Alaskan Leader was able to get its engine restarted.  A tug arrived later to tow the Alaskan Leader back to Dutch Harbor.  No reports of injuries.   The Coast Guard will investigate the incident.