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Arctic Sea

Arctic Sea

FV Arctic Sea

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.

Arctic Sea
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.

Valor III

Valor III

 

Valor III
Photo: lincolnchronicle.org

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.

 

Robert S. Pierson

Robert S. Pierson

Robert S. Pierson
Photo: wxyz.com

On the evening of November 26, the 192 meter long, 20236 dwt self-unloading bulk carrier Robert S. Pierson (IMO: 7366403) ran aground on the Detroit River south of Belle Isle along the shoreline of William Milliken State Park, Michigan. The Robert S. Pierson departed from Windsor, Ontario with 18,000 tons of stone bound for Lorain, Ohio when it stranded in the mud some 30 feet off the shoreline.

The United States Coast Guard was alerted and 2 tugboats were dispatched to help free the bulk carrier.  The tugs would work through the night and was able to free the Robert S. Pierson the following morning.

The vessels then proceeded to Windsor where it would be inspected.  There were no reports of injuries or pollution released. The cause of the grounding was not disclosed.