USCG Investigating Fatal Sinking
The U.S. Coast Guard has launched a formal marine casualty investigation into an incident involving the commercial crabbing vessel Mary B II, which capsized off Newport, Oregon, January 9, 2019, resulting in the loss of three lives and loss of the vessel.The crew of the 42-foot fishing vessel Mary B II were attempting to cross the Yaquina Bay Bar when the vessel capsized in rough waters with all three crewmembers on board.Rear Adm. David Throop, Coast Guard 13th District Commander, authorized the investigation pursuant to the authority contained in Title 46, United States Code, Section 6301 and the regulations promulgated thereunder.The probe will be led by Cmdr. Karen Denny, the executive officer of Marine Safety Unit Portland, who will issue a report upon the investigation's completion.
Port Closures for All of Pacific Northwest Entrances
The Coast Guard's two Captains of the Port have closed all maritime entrances in the Pacific Northwest, Friday, due to severe sea conditions and large amounts of debris in the water. In Oregon, the ports of Chetco River in Brookings; Coos Bay; Umpqua River in Winchester Bay; Siuslaw River in Florence; Yaquina Bay in Newport; Depoe Bay; Tillamook Bay in Girabaldi; and the Columbia River are closed to all traffic. In Washington the port of Grays Harbor in Westport; and Quillayute River in LaPush are closed. Several storms carrying strong winds and heavy rainfall crossed the Pacific Northwest over the last week and have caused flooding and landslides in parts of Oregon and Washington.
Vessel Allision near Newport, Ore.
U.S. Coast Guard air and boatcrews assisted three men after a 55-foot commercial fishing vessel allided with a jetty near Newport, Ore., Monday evening. The crew of the fishing vessel Eclipse contacted the Coast Guard via VHF-FM radio at 8:15 p.m., reporting that they had lost propulsion and had struck the jetty and began taking on water. Two crewmembers were able to make their way onto the jetty, and one man was helped safely to shore by a shore party from Station Yaquina Bay, in Newport and waiting emergency medical services. The second crewmember, reportedly exhibiting signs of mild hypothermia, was safely hoisted by a Coast Guard aircrew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Facility Newport. He was transported to AirFac Newport and transferred to waiting EMS.
Ocean Observing Conference to be Held in Newport, OR
The Newport Ocean Observing Conference, sponsored by the Yaquina Bay Ocean Observing Initiative, will be held April 30 and May 1 in Newport, Oregon, a growing center of marine research on the U.S. West Coast, with approximately $1 billion in marine research infrastructure investments in recent years. The conference will inform businesses and other potential partners about the burgeoning economic opportunities in the Newport region. The agenda will include presentations on the current state of major marine research projects on the Oregon coast…
Sunken Ship Newport Dock to be Replaced
According to a May 16 report from the Daily Journal of Commerce, more than 50 years ago, dock builders in Newport sunk two concrete Navy ships in Yaquina Bay and built on top of them. Now the S.S. Pasley has cracked and leaked oil into the bay. Its instability caused port officials to change their plans to rebuild the docks. The Pasley will be removed and a traditional dock will be built in its place. The S.S. Hennebique, a nearly identical 1944 concrete ship, will remain, with a future construction phase adding a dock in front of it. (Source: The Daily Journal of Commerce)
People & Company News
Maritime Surveys Ltd., Shoreham, Sussex, U.K., recently took delivery of the first SeaBat 8160 multibeam echosounder system from RESON A/S. The SeaBat 8160 was installed on one of Maritime's survey vessels, the Scotian Shore. Alastair MacDonald, managing director of Maritime Surveys, commented on the success of the sea trials: "The SeaBat 8160 delivered the highest quality multibeam survey data in a swath width of 1,300 meters at 3,000 meters water depth, even when experiencing a near 20 degree roll and 12 degree pitch. The excellent data quality combined with the system's portability makes the 8160 extremely valuable for our operations." During these trials the system was supported by GSE Rentals of Aberdeen who supplied a TSS POS M/V 320 system.
Japan Radio Adds New Staff
In an effort to continue its ever widening expansion program within the marine electronics market in both North and South America, Japan Radio Company has added key personnel to its U.S. headquarters offices, JRC North America, Seattle, Wash. Ray Carter has joined the company as national sales manager, with experience in the commercial fishing electronics industry. Carter had previously served as general manager for Yaquina Bay Marine Supply in Newport, Ore. Matthew Wood was elected as the new Western Regional Manager, responsible for sales administration on the U.S. West Coast, in Central and South America, as well as coordination of JRC projects in the Russian Federation.
