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Tag: Gulf of Alaska

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.

Tanusha

Tanusha

Tanusha
Photo: craftsmenunitedinc.com

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.

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