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Tag: United States Coast Guard

Wind Walker

Wind Walker

Wind Walker
Photo: Visit Sitka Facebook Page

Just after midnight on December 1, the 50 foot long fishing vessel Wind Walker (MMSI: 367610250) capsized and sunk in the Icy Strait near Point Couverden, Alaska. The Wind Walker had sent out a distress call stating the vessel was “overturning” which was received by the nearby 85 meter long, 6096 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Hubbard (IMO:9812808). The Hubbard relayed the message to the United States Coast Guard. The Coast Guard also received an EPIRB alert from the Wind Walker suggesting the vessel had foundered after it capsized.

Hubbard
Ferry Hubbard

The ferry Hubbard was first to reach the area of the distress call. The search found seven cold-water immersion suits and two strobe lights in the sea. The Coast Guard was conducting the search of the area with a Jayhawk helicopter and a 45-foot response boat. The search is also being assisted by the Hubbard and other fishing vessels for the missing crew of the Wind Walker. Unconfirmed reports state there were 5 crew on board the Wind Walker at the time. The Coast Guard stated the fishing vessel had been in rough conditions with heavy blinding snow with 60 mile per hour winds and seas with 6 foot swells. The Coast Guard has stated they have the cutter Healy is now in the search area and the cutter Douglas Denman was being directed to the area to assist in the efforts.

Virginia Wave

Virginia Wave

Virginia Wave
Photo: wpri.com / uscg

On the early morning of November 18, the 24 meter long, 168 gt fishing vessel Virginia Wave (MMSI: 367696380) ran aground in Narragansett Bay south of Jamestown, Rhode Island. The vessel stranded during low tide and alerted authorities. The vessel remained aground until about 9 a.m. when it was able to refloat itself on the rising tide.  No reports of injuries.

The United States Coast Guard reports the Virginia Wave released some diesel fuel into the water.  The incident is under investigation.

Stuyvesant

Stuyvesant

Stuyvesant
Photo: U.S. Coast Guard

On the afternoon of November 2, the 107 meter long, 11,014 dwt dredger Stuyvesant (IMO: 7915838) caught fire at the entrance to St. John’s River off Jacksonville, Florida. The fire started in the dredger’s engine room with the vessel requesting assistance. Both local authorities along with the U.S. Coast Guard dispatched crews to assist in extinguishing the blaze. Reports state the fire was quickly extinguished, but one crewmember of the Stuyvesant sustained injuries and taken ashore to treatment. No reports of pollution released.

The incident is under investigation.