On the morning of December 23, a 50 foot fishing vessel Sea Dragon II ran aground in the Pacific Ocean at Ventura Beach, California. The Sea Dragon II with 3 crew members on board had run up unto the beach leaving the fishing vessel high and dry. Authorities arrived to the site and found all 3 crew were uninjured.
Reports state the cause of the grounding was due to the crew were asleep when fishing vessel ran ashore. No reports of damage or pollution released.
On the evening of November 21, the 336 meter long, 98849 dwt container ship One Henry Hudson (IMO: 9302176) caught fire in the Pacific Ocean at 701 East New Dock Street in San Pedro, California. An electrical fire started below deck and had spread through areas of the vessel which were inaccessible to the crew. An hour later there was an explosion mid-deck which caused a partial power blackout making the lights and onboard cranes to stop functioning.
Multiple authorities were alerted with the Los Angeles City Fire Department, United States Coast Guard, Los Angeles Port Police along with the Long Beach Fire Department and the crew on the One Henry Hudson assisting. Over 200 fire fighters along with 7 fireboats were deployed to fight the fire. Several of the vessel’s 23 crew initially assisted firefighters, but all crew members were evacuated off the vessel. As conditions on the vessel deteriorated, the fire fighters were ordered off the container ship. Fire suppression was conducted at a safe distance from shore and from fire boats.
A few hours later, authorities determined to move the One Henry Hudson from the pier to approximately 1 mile off shore near the Angel’s Gate Lighthouse. There the container ship would be at anchor while fire suppression continued and salvage teams begin efforts. There were no reports of injuries. Authorities had issues a stay at home order while the container ship was in port, but was lifted when the vessel went offshore. Reports state the fire had been contained to just one compartment by the next day. An investigation into the incident has been launched.
On the early morning of July 25, the 37 foot long fishing vessel Miss Jessie ran aground just south of Humboldt Bay near Eureka, California. The Miss Jessie contacted the United States Coast Guard that the fishing vessel had become disabled and had washed ashore. The Coast Guard dispatched the 47 foot motor lifeboat from Humboldt Bay along with a MH-Dolphin helicopter to assist. The helicopter arrived on scene and hoisted all 5 crew off the Miss Jessie to safety. There were no injuries reported.
The Coast Guard reported that the Miss Jessie had some 800 gallons of diesel fuel still on board, but there were no signs of pollution released. Authorities are monitoring the vessel while efforts are made to refloat the fishing vessel. Reports state the Miss Jessie was eventually pulled back into open water a few days later.
This isn’t the first Miss Jessie to require assistance in this area. In April 2018, the 45 foot long fishing vessel Miss Jessie had suffered steering failure just south of Humboldt Bay off Table Bluff, California. The Coast Guard responded and the 47 foot motor lifeboat towed the fishing vessel back to harbor.