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Tag: United States Coast Guard

Das Bug

Das Bug

Das Bug
Photo: nationalfisherman.com

On the afternoon of August 10, the 40 foot long fishing vessel Das Bug capsized approximately 2 miles off the Yaquina Bay Jetty near Newport, Oregon. The Das Bug was proceeding towards the direction of Yaquina Bay Jetty in 7 foot swells when it lost stability. The fishing vessel had suddenly rolled over in less than a minute. Three of the 4 crew on board were thrown into ocean, but were fortunate to be able to cling to the overturn hull.

The Coast Guard dispatched a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat from Yaquina Bay and rescued the 3 crew members. They were safely taken ashore where they were taken to hospital for treatment. Reports state the crew were being treated for hypothermia.

Das Bug
Photo: lincolnchronicle.org

The Coast Guard launched a search and rescue operation looking for the missing crew member. Deploying the 47-foot Motor Lifeboat along with a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter conducted a search for over 8 hours, but there were no signs of the missing crew member. The search was suspended.

Authorities have not release any further details on the environmental impact or salvage of the Das Bug.

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.