On January 23, the 24 meter long, 160 gt fishing vessel Northern Endurance (IMO: 9095022) ran aground in Unalaska Bay near Priest Rock, Unalaska, Alaska. The fishing vessel ended up partially beached until the following morning until salvagers were able to pull it free. There were no reports of injuries, damage or pollution released. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident. Reports state the vessel may have gone aground due to various reasons, but the cause had not yet been disclosed.
On October 11, the 225 meter long, 75,026 bulk carrier Pan Viva (IMO:9453494) sustained stability issues in the Unalaska Bay off Unalaska Island, Alaska. The Pan Viva dropped anchor but struggled to remain stable with 58 knot winds and waves reaching 30 feet. The bulk carrier requested assistance and had four of the 21 crew on board airlifted off the vessel.
Photo: alaskapublic.org
Authorities are monitoring the Pan Viva with a tugboat and coast guard cutter on standby. Reports state that conditions are too dangerous to provide any assistance to the bulk carrier until conditions improve. There is concern that the Pan Viva may run ashore with the potential to release some 300,000 metric tons of fuel like the Selendang Ayu in 2004.
Photo: wikipedia
On December 8 2004, the 225 meter long 72,937 dwt bulk carrier Selendang Ayu (IMO:9145528) suffered engine failure and ran aground just north of Unalaska. With 60 mile per hour winds and 25 foot waves, helicopters attempted to rescue 24 crew off the vessel. Unfortunately a rogue wave struck one of the helicopters killing six crew. Later the Selendang Ayu broke in two releasing 336,000 gallons of fuel oil killing thousands of birds and other maritime wildlife. The environmental cleanup took until June 2006.
The 117 foot long fishing vessel Exito sank at the entrance of Unalaska Bay near Dutch Harbor, Alaska. The Exito had suffered water ingress while 14 miles northeast of Dutch Harbor in 8 foot seas and winds up to 35 miles per hour. The crew requested assistance with 4 nearby fishing vessels responding. The Coast Guard dispatched the Cutter Alex Haley along with a rescue helicopter from Kodiak to the scene.
Photo: fws.gov
The fishing vessel Afognak Strait was first to arrived on scene and rescued 3 of the 5 crew of the Exito. The three crew had abandoned ship together. The remaining two crew were last seen preparing to abandon ship, but are reported as missing. Reports state one of the missing crew had donned a survival suit, but it was unclear if they had escaped into a life raft.
Photo: nooa.gov
A Coast Guard helicopter along with 3 fishing vessels (Commitment, Blue North and Northern Lead) continue to search the area for the two missing crew. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident. The Exito had been transporting cargo between Dutch Harbor and Akutan on Akutan Island.
