A fishing boat carrying 2,600 gallons of fuel sank off the western shore of San Juan Island on Saturday, releasing an oily sheen that spread for 2 miles in critical habitat for the Northwest’s endangered orcas. The crew aboard the F/V Aleutian Isle radioed for help Saturday, saying they were taking on water. They abandoned their sinking ship and clambered into the skiff they normally use to maneuver the boat’s purse-like net to capture salmon. Two other salmon-fishing boats, the F/V Marathon and the F/V Intruder, rescued the five-person crew before the U.S. Coast Guard arrived. The 58-foot F/V Aleutian Isle sank to the seafloor in more than 100 feet of water about 2 p.m. How much of the boat’s fuel spilled is unknown. >click to read< 07:55
Tag Archives: fishing vessel sinks
$18,000 penalty for diesel spill after fishing boat sinks
In August 2022, a 58-foot fishing boat sank off the western shore of San Juan Island, kicking off a complex, lengthy response to prevent additional diesel from spilling out of the sunken vessel, and to eventually raise the boat back to the surface. Now, the Washington Department of Ecology is penalizing Matthew Johnston, the boat’s owner, $18,000 for the spilled diesel. Johnston actively participated in cleanup efforts and fully cooperated with Ecology’s investigation, the agency said in a news release. This penalty is based on strict liability under Washington State law for spills to Washington waters, regardless of fault. Ecology’s investigation did not find that the spill was caused by negligent or reckless operation. The incident happened on Aug. 13, 2022, when Johnston noticed water rising from the aft scuppers on his boat, F/V Aleutian Isle. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 18:14
Sea Harvest fishing trawler had ‘excellent’ record: Families of lost fishermen pray for miracle
The Sea Harvest fishing trawler that sunk with 20 crew on board had been serviced before it rapidly took water and sunk offshore from Hout Bay. The families of two fishermen still missing at sea remained hopeful yesterday for their loved ones’ return, after the search for 11 fishermen was called off on Sunday. Sea Harvest spokesperson Anthea Abraham said the vessel went for mandatory service. Faadiel Groenewald, 27, and Wilfred Swiers, from Pella near Atlantis, are among those presumed drowned after the trawler, FV Lepanto, sunk at around 35 nautical miles offshore. more, >>CLICK TO READ< 08:11
No hope for 11 missing fishermen
Hopes of finding the remaining 11 fishermen aboard the sunken MFV Lepanto owned by Sea Harvest were dealt a major blow when the search-and-rescue operation was called off on Sunday. The SA Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) launched an investigation after the vessel sank about 34 nautical miles offshore of Hout Bay on Friday afternoon. At least five fishing vessels reached the search area, locating and recovering nine of 20 local fishermen from a life raft. “The nine survivors were not injured and they were brought to the Port of Table Bay aboard a fellow fishing vessel during the night. They are in the care of their fishing company. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:52
9 crewmen rescued, search continues for 11 fishermen missing at sea in Cape Town
The South African Maritime Safety Authority’s (SAMSA) Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), said they received a distress call notifying them of the fishing vessel FV Lepanto, reported to be rapidly sinking, west of Slangkop Lighthouse, at around 15:34 on Friday. “The distress call, received by Telkom Maritime Services, prompted an immediate response. Nearby fishing vessels, FV Harvest Mzansi and FV Armana, responded to the mayday call and proceeded to the scene,” said SAMSA’s Tebogo Ramatjie. Ramatjie added that the FV Armana had successfully rescued nine crew members, leaving 11 others still unaccounted for. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:32
Fishing vessel sinks off Lizard Point
A fishing vessel sank off the coast of Lizard Point yesterday (Saturday, October 12) – and two people had to be rescued. On social media, the Lizard Lifeboat reported the request to launch was called-in at 12:33PM after hearing distress calls from the “Crig A Tana” fishing boat. At the scene, there was no sign of the stricken “Crig A Tana” vessel, but the crew were safe, despite having been forced to abandon the vessel after it started to suddenly sink. The two people who were rescued are also members of the lifeboat crew themselves. >click to read< 08:45
Rescuers thanked after Peterhead fishing boat sank off Shetland
Rescuers have been praised after eight crew members were saved when a fishing boat sank following a collision with another vessel. The Peterhead-based Guiding Star went down following the incident with her sister vessel Guiding Light 45 miles (72km) off Shetland on Thursday. Three crew were rescued by the Shetland Coastguard helicopter, and five were taken on board the Guiding Light. The skipper and owners said they wanted to thank all involved. Video, >click to read< 07:50
Eight crew ‘safe and well’ after fishing vessel sinks following collision with another vessel
The crew of the Peterhead based F/V Guiding Star H360 declared a mayday before abandoning ship to a life-raft after a collision with another vessel – their sister boat F/V Guiding Light. HM Coastguard coordinated the response after being alerted just after 12pm today (6 October). The coastguard helicopter based at Sumburgh was a key part of the rescue effort, with rescue teams from both Sumburgh and Lerwick waiting to support if required. Other vessels nearby also responded to calls for help. All crew members were accounted for after being picked up by assisting vessels and the coastguard helicopter. >click to read< 19:37
Fishing vessel sinks off San Juan Island; Coast Guard responding to oil spill
All five crew members aboard the F/V Aleutian Isle were rescued by a good Samaritan as the vessel sank, the Coast Guard announced. Around 2 p.m., Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound got a report that the Aleutian Isle was taking on water near Sunset Point and was in need of emergency assistance. An Air Station Port Angeles MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, a Station Bellingham 45-foot response boat, and the 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Swordfish (WPB-87358) all responded, the Coast Guard said. Once it knew that all crewmembers were accounted for, the Coast Guard started a pollution survey and began response efforts with partner agencies. Around 5 p.m., a visible oil sheen covering nearly 2 miles was seen on the water. >click to read< 07:37
UK fishing vessel sinks off Mizen Head
Shortly after 9 o’clock (yesterday) morning Valentia Coast Guard was alerted to a vessel in difficulty approximately 60 miles South West of Mizen Head. The UK registered fishing vessel F/V Piedras was reported to be taking on water and had lost propulsion. Shortly after raising the alert the crew of 11 decided to abandon the vessel and transfer to another fishing vessel, the F/V Armaven. No injuries were reported. Early (yesterday) afternoon, the vessel sunk in the area where it was initially reported to be in difficulty. >click to read< 08:46
Coast Guard retrieve 5 fishermen from life raft after fishing vessel sinks off Oregon coast
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued five people from a life raft late Monday after a fishing boat sank approximately 20 miles offshore from the mouth of the Umpqua River. The captain aboard the 67-foot fishing vessel F/V Desire, homeported in Neah Bay, Washington, used a VHF-FM marine-band radio to hail Coast Guard Sector North Bend watchstanders at about 9 p.m. Monday and report their vessel was taking on water. He also reported the five people aboard were preparing to abandon ship into a life raft. >click to read< 16:28
Coast Guard rescues two after fishing vessel sinks near Barnegat Light, New Jersey
The Coast Guard rescued two men 33 miles east of Barnegat Light early Tuesday morning. Watchstanders at Sector Delaware Bay were notified at 5:30 a.m. via Channel 16 that a 68-foot fishing vessel, F/V Viking Stariper had begun taking on water and its crew requested assistance. They informed the watchstanders that they had begun to make preparations to abandon ship into a life raft. “The crew’s use of their emergency equipment helped Coast Guard search crews locate them quickly and prevent loss of life today,” >click to read< 15:43
Innovative Longline Fishing Boat Sinks off Finnmark
Norway’s Accident Investigation Board has opened an investigation into the loss of the recently-built longliner Fay, which sank off Norway’s northern Barents Sea coast on Saturday. All 12 members of her crew were safely evacuated by helicopter. According to the Fay’s captain, Ken-Åke Grahn, the ship lost auxiliary generator power off Honningsvåg. Without power for the Fay’s hydraulics,,, >click to read< 09:17
Fishing vessel sinks, leaks fuel in Seward Harbor
The weekend sinking of a fishing vessel in the Seward Harbor has prompted a cleanup effort as plans to salvage the vessel unfold. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation said in a report that it is monitoring the response to the Nordic Viking, which sank at the “T-dock” in the Seward Harbor and was reported to DEC Sunday by the local harbormaster. It’s not clear why the ship sank. >click to read<17:44
Pillar Point fishing vessel sinks, no injuries
A Pillar Point Harbor fishing vessel sank roughly five miles off the coast early Thursday morning. Two adults were rescued from the boat; there were no known injuries. The U.S. Coast Guard reported catching a distress signal over the radio at around 6 a.m. indicating that the “Virginia J” was taking on water. A helicopter and a 47-foot rescue vessel from the Coast Guard’s San Francisco Sector fleet were deployed and the Coast Guard issued its own emergency broadcast over the radio to alert other boaters of the incident, said Sarah Wilson a spokeswoman for the U.S. Coast Guard. Within five minutes of receiving the call, another Pillar Point Harbor fishing vessel – the “Redeemer” – was able to respond and take the two adults on the sinking vessel aboard. >click to read<14:06
Coast Guard rescues 3 after fishing vessel sinks off Myrtle Beach
Coast Guard crews rescued three fishermen Friday after their fishing vessel sank 45 miles east of Myrtle Beach. The fishermen reported their 33-foot fishing vessel, Aunt T, was sinking and had to abandon ship into their life raft.Coast Guard Sector Charleston Command Center watchstanders were notified by an emergency position indicating radio beacon activation and later connected via satellite phone with one of the fishermen stating the situation at 12 a.m. A Coast Guard Air Station Savannah MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew launched and hoisted the fisherman from their life raft at approximately 1:19 a.m. They were taken to Myrtle Beach International Airport where EMS was waiting. >click to read<08:45
Coast Guard Saves Four Fishermen from sinking New Bedford Fishing Vessel
A New Bedford-based fishing vessel sank Wednesday night off Martha’s Vineyard, but its crew of four is fine thanks to their fast action in taking safety measures, the Coast Guard said. The Sea Star radioed at about 6:20 p.m. that it was quickly taking on water, listing heavily and crew members were donning their emergency suits, Petty Officer Nicole Groll, a Coast Guard public affairs specialist said about 9:10 p.m. Wednesday. >click to read< 22:21
3 rescued, 2 still missing after fishing vessel sinks near Dutch Harbor
A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew and four good Samaritan crews responded to the sinking of fishing vessel Exito after it began taking on water 14 miles northeast of Dutch Harbor, Alaska, Tuesday evening. Three of the vessel’s five crewmembers were located by the good Samaritan crew of the Afognac Strait. The crewmembers were brought on board the vessel and are being transferred to Dutch Harbor. The Jayhawk aircrew and good Samaritan crews on the commercial fishing vessels Commitment, Blue North and Northern Lead continue to search for the remaining two crewmembers of the Exito. The crewmembers brought on board the Afognak Strait reported that one of the remaining crewmembers had put on immersion suit and was last seen preparing to abandon ship. Coast Guard Sector Anchorage watchstanders received a phone call at 9:38 p.m., Tuesday, from the owner of the Exito reporting that the vessel was taking on water and the crew was preparing to abandon ship. Coast Guard 17th District watchstanders diverted Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley and requested the launch of the Air Station Kodiak Jayhawk. Link 15:37 About F/V Exito
