Browsed by
Tag: United States Coast Guard

Discovery Ashore

Discovery Ashore

Discovery
Photo: hawaiinewsnow.com

On the morning of August 9, the 75 foot long passenger ship Discovery (MMSI: 367379890) ran aground near the Kewalo Basin in Honolulu, Hawaii.  The reason why the passenger ship went ashore is under investigation. Witnesses stated the Discovery had been struck by two large swells by the stern of the vessel causing the vessel to lose propulsion. The passenger ship nearly capsized in the surf before it grounded just off the seawall. There were no injuries to the 2 crew members on board at the time of the incident.

The United States Coast Guard launched its 45 foot response boat to the scene, but the Discovery could not be reached due to the extreme shallow water along with the waves reaching 10 to 12 feet breaking along the shoreline. Not until later that night were authorities able to reach the Discovery and begin salvage operations. The vessel’s 8 marine batteries along with 2,275 gallons of diesel fuel and 36 gallons of hydraulic oil was removed. Initial attempts to pull the Discovery free using the tugboat Miki’oi failed. Reports state another attempt to refloat the vessel would be done when conditions were favorable.

Reports state the Discovery has sustained some damage to its hull and will require repairs before it could be put back into service. The incident is under investigation.

Sea Ranger

Sea Ranger

Sea Ranger
Photo: USCG

On the morning of August 1, the 110 foot long tug vessel Sea Ranger sank in the Gulf of Alaska some 130 miles south of Cordova, Alaska. The Sea Ranger contacted the United States Coast Guard that the vessel was taking on water and requested assistance.  The Coast Guard responded by sending an HC-130 Super Hercules aircraft from Kodiak with a dewatering pump. The helicopter arrived and able to deliver0 the pump to the crew and returned to back to shore.

Two hours later the Sea Ranger contacted the Coast Guard stating the vessel was in trouble. The tug vessel had suffered a fire in the engine room and the main engine was now inoperative. With no power for the dewatering pumps, the crew of four were unable to stop the water ingress. The Coast Guard deployed a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter along with an HC-130 Super Hercules airplane to assist. The helicopter arrived a few hours later on scene and hoisted all 4 crew members off the Sea Ranger.  The crew were flown to Cordova and found to be in good condition. The tug vessel was last reported to be in sinking condition and was assumed lost.

Miss Jessie

Miss Jessie

Miss Jessie
Photo: USCG

On the early morning of July 25, the 37 foot long fishing vessel Miss Jessie ran aground just south of Humboldt Bay near Eureka, California. The Miss Jessie contacted the United States Coast Guard that the fishing vessel had become disabled and had washed ashore. The Coast Guard dispatched the 47 foot motor lifeboat from Humboldt Bay along with a MH-Dolphin helicopter to assist. The helicopter arrived on scene and hoisted all 5 crew off the Miss Jessie to safety.  There were no injuries reported.

The Coast Guard reported that the Miss Jessie had some 800 gallons of diesel fuel still on board, but there were no signs of pollution released. Authorities are monitoring the vessel while efforts are made to refloat the fishing vessel.  Reports state the Miss Jessie was eventually pulled back into open water a few days later.

This isn’t the first Miss Jessie to require assistance in this area.  In April 2018, the 45 foot long fishing vessel Miss Jessie had suffered steering failure just south of Humboldt Bay off  Table Bluff, California. The Coast Guard responded and the 47 foot motor lifeboat towed the fishing vessel back to harbor.