Two Foreign Vessels Deemed Unsafe by USCG

August 25, 1999

Two foreign freight vessels remain moored in Dutch Harbor until numerous Safety of Life At Sea (SOLAS) discrepancies are corrected to meet USCG inspectors' requirements. The vessels are identified as No. 1 Pohah, a 377-ft. Panamanian freight ship and M/V Dhara, a 217-ft. Korean freight ship. According to USCG Marine Science Technician First Class Harry Chichester, a Boarding Officer assigned to the Marine Safety Detachment in Unalaska, foreign vessels coming through Dutch Harbor this year have been detained by the USCG at a pretty high rate. These two bring the number of vessels detained in Dutch Harbor up to 10 since January. Dhara was the worse offender of the two, with 11 discrepancies, as well as not properly reporting the vessel lost main propulsion. "As it was coming into port, it lost propulsion, but neither the operator nor the ship's agent reported the casualty to the USCG, which is required by law," Chichester said. Inspectors discovered a total of 19 violations on both vessels, ranging from unsatisfactory lifeboat and fire drills to the main propulsion failure. The vessels will not be allowed to get underway until all discrepancies have been corrected to the satisfaction of USCG inspectors and federal law. Earlier, the USCG in Dutch Harbor detained 279-ft. Panamanian-flagged freight ship Savannah for five safety violations. Savannah was released after correcting the deficiencies and passing a USCG inspection.

Two Foreign Vessels Deemed Unsafe by USCG

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