Browsed by
Tag: United States Coast Guard

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.

 

Sea Puppy

Sea Puppy

Sea Puppy
Photo: uscg

On February 8, the fishing vessel Sea Puppy caught fire off St. Catherines Island, Georgia. The Coast Guard was alerted by the crew the vessel was on fire and sinking. The Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter from Savannah along with an 29 foot response boat from Tybee Island. The helicopter arrived on scene and hoisted all three crew off the Sea Puppy safely. No reports of injuries.


The fire gutted the vessel which a short time later sank. The Coast Guard remained on site to monitor the area for pollution. The incident is under investigation.

Pacific Star

Pacific Star

Pacific Star

On February 2, the 52 foot long fishing vessel Pacific Star suffered water ingress near Lituya Bay, Alaska. The fishing vessel reported to the Coast Guard the Pacific Star had sustained water ingress through a hatch in the stern of the vessel.  The pumps on board the fishing vessel were unable to control the flooding and there was the risk the vessel would sink.

The Coast Guard dispatched helicopters from the Sitka and Kodiak stations. An hour later the Jayhawk helicopter from Sitka arrived on scene. The helicopter lowered a dewatering pump to the Pacific Star. The crew of the Pacific Star were able to get the pump running and brought the flooding under control.

The Pacific Star proceeded under its own power to Graves Harbor while being escorted by the helicopter from Kodiak. There the crew were able to make repairs and dewater the Pacific Star.  The following day, the Pacific Star proceed back to Sitka escorted by another fishing vessel Sherrie Marie.  No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.