Maritime Injury Law Blog

Published on: September 16, 2025

Alaska Opens Pacific Tuna Harvesting as Warm Waters Bring Opportunity

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has launched a new commercial fishing opportunity in Southeast Alaska waters, issuing commissioner’s permits for Pacific tuna harvesting in response to unusual conditions that have drawn these warm-water species into the eastern Gulf of Alaska.

Commercial harvesters can now obtain the specialized permits, which remain valid through December 31^st, 2025, marking the first formal recognition of tuna as a targeted commercial species in Alaska waters. The permits become available immediately upon issuance, creating an unprecedented fishing opportunity in a region traditionally known for salmon and groundfish.

Rhea Ehresmann, who leads the Region 1 groundfish project for the ADF&G, explained that the permit system emerged from direct industry requests. “The commercial fleet approached us about targeting Pacific tuna, given the significant tuna presence we’re seeing in waters outside of Sitka,” she noted.

Published on: September 9, 2025

Grounded Alaska Fishing Vessel Reaches Port After 3,500 Gallon Fuel Spill

by Nigel Stacey

The commercial fishing vessel that ran aground near Alaska’s Afognak Island, spilling thousands of gallons of diesel fuel into surrounding waters, was successfully towed to safety Friday September 5^th, 2025, according to state environmental officials.

The 120-foot F/V SEA ERN arrived at Kodiak Harbor at approximately 7 a.m., completing a carefully coordinated salvage operation overseen by the U.S. Coast Guard and Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The vessel has since been moved to drydock at the City of Kodiak shipyard.

Environmental officials estimate between 3,000 and 3,500 gallons of diesel fuel leaked from the vessel after a 12-foot gash tore through its bow, rupturing two fuel tanks. The F/V SEA ERN was carrying approximately 16,290 gallons of fuel at the time of the grounding, with 12,790 gallons remaining aboard.

Published on: September 2, 2025

Coast Guard Suspends Search for Two Missing Individuals After Vessel Capsizes Near Gold Beach

by Nigel Stacey

The U.S. Coast Guard has ended its search for two individuals who were reported missing after a motorized catamaran capsized on Sunday night near Gold Beach, Oregon.

A third individual present on the catamaran was rescued and taken to Gold Beach for medical assessment by local emergency services. Reports indicated that all three people were wearing life jackets at the time of the incident.

At approximately 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, personnel at U.S. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River were notified by Curry County 911 of an overturned 26-foot catamaran located approximately four miles off the coast of Gold Beach.

Published on: August 26, 2025

Meeting Fishing Vessel Safety Act Requirements: 2025-2026 Compliance Guide

by Nigel Stacey

Commercial fishing remains one of America’s most dangerous occupations, with fatality rates significantly higher than most other industries. The Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Act, enacted following tragic losses at sea, establishes minimum safety requirements that can mean the difference between life and death. Here is a comprehensive guide for mariners to ensure compliance for 2025-2026.

Determine Your Vessel’s Classification

Establish which regulations apply to your operation. The Fishing Vessel Safety Act applies to commercial fishing vessels, with different requirements based on vessel size, operation area, and crew capacity. Documented vessels operating beyond the U.S. Boundary Line (the dividing point between internal and offshore waters) or carrying more than 16 persons face the most rigorous requirements, while smaller operations have modified standards. Check your vessel’s documentation and operating parameters against current U.S. Coast Guard classifications. This determines everything from equipment requirements to training obligations.

Published on: August 19, 2025

Coast Guard Suspends Search for Missing Fisherman

by Nigel Stacey

The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search Wednesday afternoon for prominent West Coast fisherman Joel William Kawahara, recipient of the 2009 National Fishermen’s Highliner of the Year Award. Mr. Kawahara disappeared while fishing alone off the coasts of Oregon and Washington. The extensive search covered more than 2,100 square miles of ocean before being called off.

Mr. Kawahara, known throughout the West Coast for his work on the Pacific Fisheries Management Council, the North Olympic Salmon Coalition, and Save Our Wild Salmon, was last heard from at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, August 8, 2025, while aboard the F/V KAROLEE. He had departed alone the week prior for what appeared to be a routine fishing trip.

For several days following the last contact, the F/V KAROLEE continued traveling a constant southerly course at approximately 4 mph. Fellow fishermen spotted the vessel near the Columbia River bar and attempted to hail it by radio, receiving no response.

Published on: August 12, 2025

Coast Guard Announces Suspension of Search for Missing Crew Member Near Newport, Oregon

by Nigel Stacey

The U.S. Coast Guard has officially suspended its search efforts for the missing fisherman off the coast of Newport, Oregon.

At 4 p.m. Sunday, August 10^th, 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard was notified that the 40-foot F/V DAS BUG had capsized in Yaquina Bay Jetty with four people aboard. A 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew rescued three individuals and transferred them to emergency medical services. The individuals were then taken to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital and treated for hypothermia.

Crews from U.S. Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay and Air Station North Bend searched for the missing person using a 47-foot lifeboat and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter in the evening. Additionally, an MH-65 Dolphin crew from U.S. Coast Guard Air Station North Bend conducted a search at first light. No evidence of the missing person was found before the search was suspended.

Published on: August 5, 2025

Titan Submersible Implosion Was “Preventable,” Says Final Coast Guard Report

by Nigel Stacey

On August 5, 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation released its report on the Titan submersible loss. The sub imploded in June 2023 while on a dive to the Titanic, killing all five people on board.

The Report of Investigation (ROI), which is over 300 pages long, details the key findings and contributing factors that led to the incident. It also includes 17 safety recommendations. These recommendations are designed to improve oversight of submersible operations, enhance coordination among federal agencies, and address differences in international maritime policy.

Based on the U.S. Coast Guard report, OceanGate’s director of marine operations, who was responsible for crew and client safety, testified that the company ignored his safety concerns. He stated that the company prioritized “image and marketing” over building a safe and reliable operation.

Published on: July 29, 2025

Joint Medevac 180 Miles West of Astoria, Oregon

by Nigel Stacey

On Thursday, July 24, 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard medevaced a Canadian fisherman from his vessel approximately 180 miles off the coast of Astoria, Oregon.

The rescue operation began shortly after 1 a.m. when the Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Victoria, British Columbia, received an emergency call about a crew member experiencing a medical emergency about 300 miles west of Astoria. Victoria officials then notified the U.S. Coast Guard in Seattle.

After consulting with a flight surgeon who recommended a medevac, the U.S. Coast Guard maintained contact with the fishing vessel as it moved closer to shore. A U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Astoria MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter was dispatched. A Royal Canadian Air Force CC-295 Kingfisher from 19 Wing Comox provided crucial overhead support, including weather reporting and communications.

Published on: July 29, 2025

New State Funding Boosts Alaska Seafood Workforce Development

by Nigel Stacey

Alaska’s seafood industry is getting a significant boost in workforce development thanks to new state funding through the Technical and Vocational Education Program (TVEP). This initiative supports five key programs for both seafood harvesters and processors.

For processors, the Alaska Seafood School will offer three programs focusing on crucial areas: food and processing regulations, automated equipment and refrigeration, and plant management.

Fishermen across Alaska will benefit from two TVEP-funded projects launching this fall: the Skipper Apprentice program in Bristol Bay, providing essential training and mentorship for new crew, and the innovative “Scaled Seafood” project, offering vital fisheries business training.

Published on: July 22, 2025

Coast Guard Responds to F/V Navigator Fire, Sinking Off Santa Cruz

by Nigel Stacey

The U.S. Coast Guard, working with multiple partner agencies, responded to a boat fire and subsequent sinking approximately one mile off the shore of Santa Cruz early Wednesday morning on July 17^th, 2025. The F/V NAVIGATOR, a 45-foot vessel that had been fishing for squid, was at anchor when fire broke out onboard. The two fishermen aboard the vessel were rescued.

At 7:40 a.m., U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders received an urgent report that a 45-foot vessel was ablaze with two people on board. Watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast to alert mariners in the area. A boat crew from U.S. Coast Guard Station Monterey was deployed, and coordination efforts began with local partner agencies.

Agencies involved in the response included: