Tag Archives: F/V Blue North

$1.4 billion fishing industry stays afloat amid regulations, tragedies

It’s been two months since the missing crab vessel Destination was found on the ocean floor of the Bering Sea. The Seattle-based crew went missing in February.  All six people on board died when the crab boat went down in “Deadliest Catch” waters. You can see the memorial that still stands at Fisherman’s Terminal in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood.  It’s a grim reminder that Alaskan fishing is still coined the most dangerous job in the world, but the commercial fishing industry also has helped form the blueprint of the Pacific Northwest. Latest numbers from the state show it brings in $1.4 billion a year to our state.  Today, it employs more than 14,000 people. Today, the $35 million, 191-foot freezer liner Blue North glides across the Bering Sea, catching cod in a moon pool.  Video, click here to read the story 09:02

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

Video Release: Coast Guard conducts long-range medevac 230 miles northwest of St. Paul, Alaska

blue-north-medevacA Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew, forward deployed to Forward Operating Location Cold Bay, medevaced an injured fisherman off the 173-foot commercial fishing vessel Blue North approximately 230 miles northwest of St. Paul, Alaska, Wednesday evening. The Jayhawk crew hoisted the 41-year-old man and transferred him to an awaiting Air Station Kodiak C-130 Hercules airplane crew in St. Paul who transported him to Anchorage for medical care. Coast Guard 17th District watchstanders received a maritime medevac request from the crew of the Blue North Wednesday afternoon.  The vessel’s operator reported a crewmember had injured his neck while working aboard the vessel.  Watchstanders consulted the duty flight surgeon who recommended the medevac. The Blue North was approximately 285 miles northwest of St. Paul at the time of notification and the crew was instructed by watchstanders to transit toward St. Paul in order to be in hoist range of the helicopter aircrew. Video, Read the rest here 19:54

Blue North Fisheries debuts state-of-the-art commercial fishing vessel

The F/V Blue North is a 191 foot freezer longliner owned by Seattle based Blue North Fisheries. The vessel was designed in Norway and built by Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes. “I’m kind of pinching myself – we are finally here – we’ve got it,” said Patrick Burns who is the co-founder of Blue North. “It’s a state of the art vessel.” The $36 million fishing boat has been under construction for several years. It was delivered last week and has been receiving some final touches at Seattle’s Pier 91 as it prepares to make fishing history in Alaska’s Bering Sea. “This vessel is a game changer – it’s the greenest, most sustainable and highest tech commercial fishing vessel that’s ever been built in the United State and possibly the world,” said Kenny Down, President and CEO of Blue North Fisheries. Video, Read the story here 01:11