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 morning of December 15, the 29 foot long fishing vessel Valor III sank in the Pacific Ocean 3 miles west of Newport, Oregon. The Valor III alerted the United States Coast Guard the vessel had suffered uncontrolled water ingress. The Coast Guard dispatched a motor-lifeboat to assist. When the lifeboat reached the fishing vessel, only the bow of the Valor III remained above water. Fortunately, a nearby vessel had arrived before the lifeboat and rescued 1 crew off the vessel and another from the water. Both crew members wore immersion suits and uninjured.
Reports state there was a large amount of debris in the water where the fishing vessel sank. The Coast Guard stated the cause of the sinking is under investigation.
On the morning of November 18, a barge being towed by the 31 meter long, 330 gt tugboat Malolo (IMO: 7614082) sustained damage in the Fisher Channel approximately 15 kilometers east of Bella Bella, British Columbia, Canada. The vessels were en route from Alaska bound for Seattle, Washington when the barge hull was holed. Divers were called out and found that part of the barge hull had been compromised and suffered water ingress, but was in stable condition and in no risk of sinking.
The Canadian Coast Guard was alerted and had the vessels moved to a nearby anchorage. Booms were deployed around the barge as a precautionary measured. Reports state another barge has been dispatched to help lightered the cargo.
Authorities have suggested the barge may have struck bottom on its voyage as why the hull was damaged. No reports of injuries or pollution released.