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Tag: United States Coast Guard

Ocean Eagle

Ocean Eagle

Ocean Eagle
Photo: uscg

On March 1, the 31 meter long tugboat Ocean Eagle ran aground on Mariposa Reef near Sitka, Alaska. The Ocean Eagle has proceeding through the Sumner Strait with a barge loaded with containers when it ran hard aground on a reef. The Coast Guard received a report the Ocean Eagle grounding and the tug had suffered water ingress in the engine room.

A Jayhawk Coast Guard helicopter was dispatched from Sitka and hoisted all five crew off the Ocean Eagle. No reports of injuries. Two Coast Guard cutters along with two tugs arrived on scene on March 2 to assist in salvage operations. A small sheen was spotted around the Ocean Eagle. The master of the Ocean Eagle stated the sheen was limited to a small amount of diesel fuel released from the tug’s day tank.

The following day, divers inspected the hull for damage.  Tugs completed dewatering the Ocean Eagle and was refloated. The barge remained aground as a section was almost up on the shoreline. Reports state the barge and tugboat had some 110,000 gallons of diesel fuel on board at the time. The Ocean Eagle is to be towed to Ketchikan and the barge is to be refloated and towed to Sitka.

Predator

Predator

Predator
Photo: uscg

On Feburary 13, the fishing vessel Predator ran hard aground near Akutan, Alaska. The fishing vessel had ran aground in 10 foot seas and 25 mph winds just off the shore.  The hull struck the seabed hard resulting in an 8 inch crack in the hull allowing water ingress into the vessel.  The three crew on board attempted to control the water ingress with the vessel’s pumps, but the flooding was too much for the pumps to handle.

The crew then requested assistance with a Coast Guard Jayhawk helicopter dispatched to the scene. The helicopter arrived a short time later  and hoisted off all three crewman to safety. No reports of injuries.

The Coast Guard stated they will monitor the Predator for any potential release of pollution. Additional reports state that salvage may not be possible due to the extent of hull damage already sustained to the fishing vessel.

Destination

Destination

Destination
Photo: saltydogboatingnews.com

On February 11, the 98 foot long fishing vessel Destination was reported missing and presumed lost in the Bering Sea northwest of St. George Island, Alaska. The Coast Guard received an automated EPIRB signal (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) from the fishing vessel around 7:15 a.m. Saturday morning.

The Coast Guard dispatched helicopters and directed two nearby vessels to search for the Destination. Citizens on St. George Island began searching the shoreline for possible survivors or any signs of the fishing vessel.

By 10 a.m. the beacon was found in a debris field that included a buoy and life ring that had the fishing vessel’s name on it. An oil sheen was visible in the water indicating the vessel may have foundered in the vicinity.

Destination
Photo: komonews.com

Conditions were reported to be typical in the area with snow showers, waves reaching 2 to 3 meters and winds gusting up to 30 miles per hour.

The Coast Guard confirmed there were six crew on board the Destination when the vessel departed from Seattle.

A Coast Guard cutter from Dutch Harbor was dispatched and expected to be on site to aid in the search and rescue efforts.