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Tag: Gulf of Alaska

Great Pacific Adrift Twice

Great Pacific Adrift Twice

Great Pacific
Photo: USCG

On October 27, the 40 meter long, 199 gt fishing vessel Great Pacific (IMO: 7947506) became disabled in the Gulf of Alaska some 100 miles south of Yakutat, Alaska. The Great Pacific had lost power after its drive shaft broke in heavy seas with waves reaching 30 feet.  The fishing vessel requested assistance with the 46 meter long United States Coast Guard cutter John Witherspoon (MMSI: 338926458) responding. The cutter safely transferred all 5 crew off the Great Pacific and took the vessel under tow. While proceeding to Yakutat, the cutter went adrift when its main engine failed off Kayak Island. The cutter dropped the towline to the fishing vessel while it restored power.  The cutter would regain control and proceeded to Yakutat leaving the Great Pacific unmanned and adrift. No reports of injuries.

 

Authorities were able to monitor the drifting fishing vessel over the following days. A Coast Guard aircraft conducted an overflight as the Great Pacific drifted into shipping channels. The tugboat Betty was able to reach the Great Pacific before it ran aground off Kayak Island. The tug proceeded to tow the fishing vessel to Port Etches where the vessel will undergo survey and inspection for seaworthiness.

 

Sea Ern

Sea Ern

Sea Ern
Photo: USCG

On September 1, the 38 meter long, 215 gt fishing vessel Sea Ern (IMO: 7308542) ran aground in the Izhut Bay, Gulf of Alaska off Afognak Island, Alaska. The Sea Ern had run aground off a sandy beach just a few meters off the shoreline.  The fishing vessel sustained hull damage with a 12-foot by 1-foot gash in its bow. Two fuel tanks in the aft of the fishing vessel were ruptured releasing some 3,000 to 3,500 gallons of diesel fuel. A large oil sheen could be seen around the fishing vessel. There were no injuries to the 3 crew on board the vessel during the incident. The vessel MS Kennedy assisted in rescuing all 3 crew from the Sea Ern.

Sea Ern
Photo: USCG

Authorities state that booms were deployed around a nearby fish hatchery and some sorbent materials were being used at the site of the grounding. Contractors were being deployed to help recover the pollution while stabilizing the vessel. The Sea Ern had an additional 12,790 gallons of diesel fuel and 300 gallons of other oil products still onboard. Both Alaskan authorities and the United States Coast Guard are monitoring the situation. The cause of the grounding had not been disclosed.  Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Sea Ranger

Sea Ranger

Sea Ranger
Photo: USCG

On the morning of August 1, the 110 foot long tug vessel Sea Ranger sank in the Gulf of Alaska some 130 miles south of Cordova, Alaska. The Sea Ranger contacted the United States Coast Guard that the vessel was taking on water and requested assistance.  The Coast Guard responded by sending an HC-130 Super Hercules aircraft from Kodiak with a dewatering pump. The helicopter arrived and able to deliver0 the pump to the crew and returned to back to shore.

Two hours later the Sea Ranger contacted the Coast Guard stating the vessel was in trouble. The tug vessel had suffered a fire in the engine room and the main engine was now inoperative. With no power for the dewatering pumps, the crew of four were unable to stop the water ingress. The Coast Guard deployed a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter along with an HC-130 Super Hercules airplane to assist. The helicopter arrived a few hours later on scene and hoisted all 4 crew members off the Sea Ranger.  The crew were flown to Cordova and found to be in good condition. The tug vessel was last reported to be in sinking condition and was assumed lost.