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Kodiak Island News

30 Aug 2023

Report: Submerged Rock Led to Fishing Vessel Grounding

Challenger courtesy of Alward Fisheries

A captain’s decision to navigate close to shore in an area with uncharted rocks led to the grounding and capsizing of a fishing vessel in Alaska last year, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said.The Challenger struck a submerged rock while fishing for salmon along the shore of Kodiak Island, Alaska on August 7, 2022. The vessel began taking on more water than the onboard pumps could handle. The captain and three crewmembers abandoned ship and were rescued by a nearby Good Samaritan fishing vessel, and the vessel capsized soon after.

17 Aug 2023

Fish Factory Vessel Leaking Ammonia in Tacoma

(Photo: U.S. Coast Guard)

A 77-year-old fish factory vessel with a checkered history is reportedly leaking ammonia in Tacoma, Wash.The U.S. Coast Guard said on Wednesday it is responding to the incident on board the U.S.-registered Pacific Producer, a 169-foot-long seafood processing vessel with a long string of health, safety and labor violations.Coast Guard and Washington Department of Ecology crews in HAZMAT suits are currently working to locate leak. The vessel poses no immediate threat to the public…

16 Mar 2020

USCG Medevacs Injured Fisherman

The U.S. Coast Guard medevaced an injured fisherman Saturday from a boat 170 miles southwest of Kodiak Island, Alaska.A Coast Guard helicopter crew from Air Station Kodiak hoisted the 49-year-old man from the 58-foot fishing vessel Alaskan Dream at approximately 1:15 p.m. He was transported to Air Station Kodiak and placed in the care of awaiting local EMS.Watchstanders in the Coast Guard 17th District command center in Juneau received the initial call from the Alaskan Dream at about 9 a.m.…

21 Oct 2019

Video: USCG Cutter Crew Member Airlifted

(Screenshot from U.S. Coast Guard video)

An ailing U.S. Coast Guard crew member aboard the Cutter John Midgett has been airlifted and transported to emergency medical service personnel in Kodiak, Alaska, the Coast Guard said.At 10 a.m. on Saturday, District 17 Command Center watchstanders received a call from the 378-foot high endurance cutter requesting a medevac for the 40-year-old male who was reportedly experiencing symptoms of a stroke. The ship was approximately 150 nautical miles southeast of Kodiak when the medevac request came in.At 12:54 p.m.…

23 Jan 2018

Update: Alaska, Canada Tsunami Alerts Lifted

Image: USGS

Alaska and parts of western Canada braced for a possible tsunami on Tuesday after a magnitude-7.9 earthquake struck the Gulf of Alaska, sparking evacuations in coastal Alaska and a tsunami warning for California that was later lifted. In Alaska, people packed into high schools and other evacuation centers after the quake hit shortly after midnight local time (0900 GMT). Officials had warned residents as far south as San Francisco to be ready to evacuate coastal areas but by 5:15 a.m. PST (1315 GMT) the U.S.

24 Aug 2017

Bay Ship and Yacht to Perform Maintenance on Balclutha

Bay Ship & Yacht has been chosen for the third time to perform maintenance on the 131-year-old historic ship, Balclutha. (Photo: Business Wire)

Bay Ship and Yacht Co. has announced it has once again been honored with the contract to perform maintenance on the historic sailing ship Balclutha. This is the third time the reputable ship yard has been chosen to perform much-needed detailed maintenance on the 131-year-old ship. A three-mast, steel-hulled square-rigged sailing ship, the Balclutha is one of the last of her kind. “The Balclutha is truly a gem of American history. It is a rare day that you are able to see one of these grand old ladies high and dry in dock,” said Richard Maguire, Business Development Manager, Bay Ship & Yacht.

22 Apr 2015

Tug Crew Commended for Emergency Rescue Tow

Crew members of Crowley's tugboat Alert receiving USCG commendation (Photo: Crowley)

Crowley crews commended by U.S. Captain Rodney Layton and his crew aboard Crowley’s Prevention and Response tugboat (PRT) Alert were recently recognized by U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Capt. Paul Mehler III, sector commander captain of the port, for their “professionalism, courage and flawless performance in extreme conditions” during the emergency rescue tow of the drill barge Kulluk off the southern point of Kodiak Island. Capt. Mehler was joined by other USCG members including Sector Chief Gustin…

13 Mar 2015

USCG Aids Fishing Boat Taking on Water

A U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew assisted the crew of the fishing vessel Alaskan Pride after they began taking on water in Izhut Bay near Kodiak Island, Alaska, Thursday. The Jayhawk crew lowered a dewatering pump to the crew of the fishing vessel, which allowed them to control the onboard flooding and proceed to port in Kodiak. Coast Guard Sector Anchorage watchstanders received a report from the crew aboard the 35-foot fishing vessel Alaskan Pride that their vessel had a possible puncture in its bow and requested Coast Guard assistance once their pumps could no longer keep up with the flooding. The Jayhawk crew responded and delivered the dewatering pump.

14 Jan 2015

Ailing Fisherman Medevaced Near Alaska

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Diana Honings

A U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew medevaced an ailing fisherman from the fishing vessel Irene H in the Shelikof Strait near Kodiak Island Tuesday. The Jayhawk crew rendezvoused with the Irene H, safely hoisted the man aboard the helicopter and transported him to awaiting emergency medical services in Kodiak for further care. Coast Guard 17th District command center watchstanders received a request for assistance from the crew of Irene H when the…

22 Apr 2014

NOAA Begins Hydrographic Survey Season

Photo courtesy of NOAA

New data will update nautical charts around the country. As sure as spring arrives, NOAA vessels and independent contractors are hitting the seas for the nation's 180th hydrographic surveying season, collecting data for over two thousand square nautical miles in high-traffic U.S. coastal waters. "Nautical charts are the foundation for the nation's maritime economy, and NOAA hydrographers spend months at sea, surveying critical areas to ensure safe navigation for the shipping, fishing, and boating communities," said Rear Admiral Gerd Glang, director of the Office of Coast Survey.

22 Apr 2014

Arctic Energy Exploration Efforts Heat Up

The first ever cargo vessel to sail from Murmansk to Shanghai via the Northern Sea Route, without the assistance of icebreakers, recently completed its maiden crossing, cutting a 65-day journey on the return leg down to 19 days. ABB’s Azipod electric propulsion technology helps to make the year-round journey possible. (Photo: ABB)

Oil and gas—and also mining—are the drivers today propelling Arctic maritime operations and the construction of new vessels able to operate in extreme latitudes. While the gas and oil resources can be recovered in the Arctic or far north and shipped to markets by sea or pipeline, the cost of doing must be balanced upon the global market price for those commodities. Ships and marine structures able to operate in the harsh conditions of the extreme latitudes require special designs and construction techniques.

19 Jun 2013

Crowley's 'Alert' Tugboat Commended for Alaska Rescue Tow

Crew of the 'Alert': Photo credit Crowley

Representative Eric Feige from the Alaska State Legislature presents a letter of commendation to the 'Alert's crew for their rescue tow of drill barge 'Kulluk'. The captain and crew were recognized for their  courage, teamwork and professionalism during the emergency rescue tow of the drill barge Kulluk off the southern point of Kodiak Island. Typically used for tanker escorts to and from the Alyeska Valdez Marine Terminal, the 10,192-horsepower Alert departed Valdez in response…

17 Apr 2013

Key Salvage Issues for 2013 – and Beyond…

This is a good time to look aft and reflect on the accomplishments achieved in 2012, as well as to the distant horizon to see what challenges loom in 2013, and beyond. It is fair to say that the Coast Guard and salvage industry have come a long way in the last few years with implementation of a salvage and firefighting final rule; first published in December 2008, delayed until February 22, 2011, to provide for harmonization with the changes to the vessel and facility amendments for response plans.

12 Feb 2013

Places of Refuge

The concept of force majeure has been broadly accepted since mariners initially encountered the perils of the sea. Persons and governments ashore have been obligated, at least by natural law, to accept and succor those in distress at sea. Concomitant with force majeure is the notion of providing a ship in distress with a place or port of refuge. A place of refuge is where a ship could go to avoid or ameliorate the peril and then depart at the earliest opportunity. While the original need for force majeure and a place of refuge was to reduce the risk to the lives of those on board the ship…

03 Jan 2013

Stranded Kulluk Rig Update

Kulluk Fly-over: Photo credit USCG

Rear Adm. "“My primary concern is ensuring the unified command has the personnel, assets and equipment they need to safely salvage the Kulluk,” said Ostebo. Ostebo is also working with the unified command to ensure that the public, stakeholders and elected officials are kept up to date on the response and its objectives. “This is a very large and complex response and it is important that the American public and our elected officials understand the dangerous and difficult challenges being faced by the response crews,” said Ostebo.

01 Jan 2013

Gulf of Alaska Storm Rig Under Tow Again

'Kulluk': Photo credit USCG

Battling the storm a tug and a support vessel succeed in getting lines aboard the abandoned Shell drill rig 'Kulluk'. The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley returned to the Kulluk’s location Sunday evening, after repairing their fouled port propeller in Kodiak, and relieved the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Spar as on scene commander. The crews of the response vessels Alert and Aiviq re-established the tow of the Kulluk Monday morning and plan on towing the mobile drill…

30 Dec 2012

Tugboat Engine Failure Imperils Alaska Drillship Tow

'Kulluk' & Tugboats: Photo credit USCG

Tugboat 'Aiviq' experienced total engine failure, casting it & the Shell drilling rig  'Kulluk' adrift in stong winds & heavy seas, S. of Kodiak Island. The US Coast Guard cutter Alex Haley was sent to assist, establishing a tandem tow of both Aivig and Kulluk, which effectively prevented their drift towards shoal water, then, due to the severe weather the tow-line parted and became entangled in one of the cutter's propellors. The USCG recalled the vessel to base. Meanwhile the Royal Dutch Shell despatched tugboat…

09 Oct 2012

Annual Event Honors Coast Guard Heroes

The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced the 2012 Coast Guard Foundation Award for Heroism will be presented to Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, for its rescue of eleven people in January 2012, at the 32nd Annual Salute to the United States Coast Guard event on Thursday, October 11, 2012 in New York City. On January 24, 2012, Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak was called into action to assist mariners of the 58-foot fishing vessel, Kimberly, in distress in treacherous weather conditions on Portage Bay. The boat reported being grounded in ice and hypothermic conditions as the results of category 3 hurricane level winds, 20-foot seas and heavy snow.

04 Oct 2010

This Day in Coast Guard History – October 4

1918-There was an explosion at the T.A. Gillespie Company munitions yard in Morgan, New Jersey. Coast Guardsmen from Perth Amboy responded. When fire threatened a trainload of TNT, these men repaired the track and moved the train to safety, thus preventing further disaster. Two Coast Guardsmen were killed in this effort. 1956-Two U.S. Air Force F-89 aircraft crashed in rugged mountain terrain about four miles from Mount Olympus, Washington. For seven days, the Coast Guard directed a highly coordinated search for the lost plane and crews. Finally, aircraft and helicopters from the CG Air Station, Port Angeles, Washington, assisted by aircraft and ground search elements from other services, located and evacuated the two crew members on 5 October.

14 Dec 2009

USCG Medevacs Master from Luna Spirit

A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew safely completed the medevac of a 61-year old Filipino master from the Luna Spirit 150 miles southeast of Kodiak Island at about 10 a.m. Dec. Raul Sempio was hoisted from the 590-ft Panamanian-flagged vessel and flown to Kodiak where emergency medical personnel transported him to Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center. The man was suffering from symptoms of a stroke. His condition was reported as stable. Coast Guard personnel were contacted the evening of Dec. 9 by the crew of the Luna Spirit requesting the medevac for the master. An MH-60 helicopter from Kodiak was launched at 9 a.m. to conduct the medevac.

12 Oct 2001

Kvichak Delivers Law Enforcement

The deployment of catamarans as law enforcement patrol vessels has become a trend among the U.S. patrol agencies. The Alaska Department of Public Safety (ADPS) recently joined this trend by taking delivery of a 65 x 25 ft. aluminum catamaran, the Cama'i. Constructed by Kvichak Marine Industries and designed by Crowther Multihulls, the Cam'i is scheduled to patrol the waters around Kodiak Island, the Alaska Peninsula and Bristol Bay. According to Captain Al Cain of ADPS, research shows that catamarans offers a safe, stable work platform in the open seas, this along with increased fuel efficiency and increased usable deck space are factors for choosing the catamaran for the new patrol vessel. ADPS requires a top speed of approximately 25 knots and a cruising speed of 20 knots.

10 May 2004

News: Kvichak Delivers Cama'i, Awarded Contract

Kvichak Marine Industries has delivered the Cama'i, a 69 x 25-ft. aluminum catamaran to the Department of Public Safety Division of Alaska State Troopers. Designed by Crowther Multihulls, the Cama'i is scheduled to patrol the waters around Kodiak Island, the Alaska Peninsula and Bristol Bay. The State Trooper mission requires a vessel with a top speed of 25 knots and a cruising speed of 20 knots. These speeds are attained by the propulsion choice of twin Caterpillar 3196 engines 660 bhp at 2300 rpm, driving 30-in. propellers through Twin Disc MG 5114A marine gears. The Cama'i will be used for protection of life and property, enforcement of commercial fishing regulations, search and rescue missions, and support of multi-agency law enforcement efforts.

11 Jun 2004

Supply Boats Auctioned off

On a gray Wednesday morning, five supply and anchor handling tug supply boats were auctioned off on the U.S. Federal Courthouse steps in Lafayette, Louisiana. About 26 people attended the auction with ten registered bidders signing in and showing proof of deposit. At 10:00 o’clock a.m. after the Clerk of the Court read the court orders and terms and conditions of the sale, individual bidding started on the 180’ x 40’, 2700HP “Seacor Osprey” at $5,000. The “Osprey” had been originally built as a straight platform supply vessel by Halter Marine in 1981, converted to an oil recovery / emergency response vessel in 1994 and had been cold-stacked since 2001.