On the morning of January 12, the United States Coast Guard reported a barge caught fire on the Mobile River near the Africatown Bridge, Mobile, Alabama. The barge was moored when a fire started in the cargo hold containing vehicle scrap metal. The fire quickly spread engulfing a large portion of the scrap metal. Reports state that river traffic was halted in the area near the barge while the Mobile fire department deployed fireboats to extinguish the blaze. The crew on board the barge were evacuated with no reports of injuries.
The United States Coast Guard was also on site and monitoring the situation. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
On the early morning of January 5, the 41 meter long, 485 gt fishing vessel Arctic Sea (IMO: 7819216) ran aground in the Bering Sea just off St. George Island, Alaska. The fishing vessel with 9 crew on board had run aground in a gale. The vessel was stranded a few hundred feet off the high cliffs of the north shore of the island. The Arctic Sea had sustained hull damage with water ingress. The crew sent out a distress call as conditions worsen with swells reported to between 10 to 20 feet and wind gusts reaching up to 65 knots. The crew donned survival suits and launched the vessel’s life raft preparing to abandon ship if necessary.
Photo: Marinetraffic.com
The 37 meter long fishing vessel North Sea (IMO: 7915905) responded and stood by to assist as conditions prevented the vessel approaching any closer to the stranded Arctic Sea. MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Cold Bay and an HC-130 Super Hercules crew from Kodiak, and diverted the cutter Alex Haley to the area, according to Ransom The United States Coast Guard dispatched a rescue MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Cold Bay assisted by a HC-130 Super Hercules from Kodiak to the scene. The cutter Alex Haley was diverted towards the area. The MH-60 helicopter would reached the stranded Arctic Sea and was able the hoist all 9 crew safely on board.
Reports state all 9 crew were flown to St. Paul Island where they were met by medical personnel. No reports of injuries to the crew.
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.
