Watchstanders at the 17th Coast Guard District Command Center received a distress alert from the fishing vessel emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) at 9:48 a.m. on Wednesday, January 15th from the F/V TANUSHA near Kodiak. A helicopter aircrew was launched from U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak and requested…
Maritime Injury Law Blog
Washington’s Dungeness Crab Season Opens South of Klipsan Beach
Washington’s commercial Dungeness crab season is set to begin January 15th, 2025 for coastal areas from Klipsan Beach on the Long Beach Peninsula south to Cape Falcon, Oregon, including the Columbia River and Willapa Bay. However, the opening date for the remainder of Washington’s Pacific Coast remains undecided. The Dungeness…
$7,000,000 Featured Verdict Awarded in Maritime Injury Case
Stacey & Jacobsen, PLLC was honored to be highlighted by ALM as the Featured Verdict on a recent case. Working with Andrews Buchsbaum in New York, Stacey & Jacobsen secured a $7,000,000 verdict for a permanently injured oiler in the featured case, Goss v. Sealift Inc., No. 1:19-cv-05123-CLP (E.D.N.Y. 2024).…
Defending Alaska’s Trawl Fleet
Alaska’s trawl fisheries report they are facing critiques from groups that some industry leaders call “radical organizations funded by out-of-state interests.” Often focused on environmental concerns and fishing methods, these groups have sparked a heated debate about the future of Alaska’s most productive fisheries. Trawling, a method used by most…
Peter Pan Seafood Pays $750,000 EPA Fine Settlement
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that PSF, Inc., formerly known as Peter Pan Seafood, has paid a $750,000 penalty for violating state and federal Clean Water Act permit requirements. These violations relate to seafood processing waste discharge limits designed to protect the marine environment. The violations occurred…
Man Charged with Illegally Harvesting 27 Dungeness Crabs in Washington
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has apprehended an individual for illegally harvesting Dungeness crabs in the North Sound area of Washington State. A WDFW officer observed the person crabbing from a local pier and conducted an inspection, uncovering 27 Dungeness crabs in the individual’s possession. Of these,…
Coast Guard Releases Names of Lost F/V Wind Walker Crew
The U.S. Coast Guard District 17 headquarters announced that the next of kin of the five individuals missing after the sinking of the F/V WIND WALKER have been notified. The agency also released the names of the missing crew members. GoFundMe accounts have been established for all five grieving families:…
Alaska Salmon Fishery 2024 Reports Sharp Declines in Catch and Value
Alaska’s commercial salmon fishery experienced significant setbacks in 2024, with double-digit declines in both catch numbers and market value. According to preliminary figures released by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), just over 101 million salmon were harvested across the state. This represents a 56% decrease compared to…
F/V Wind Walker Tragedy in Alaska’s Icy Waters
The icy waters off Alaska proved unforgiving early Monday morning as a tragic chapter unfolded. The F/V WIND WALKER, a 50-foot commercial vessel, capsized near Point Couverden, southwest of Juneau, leaving five crew members unaccounted for and a community dealing with grief and unanswered questions. The U.S. Coast Guard first…
King Cove’s Fishing Legacy and Future
The Pacific Marine Expo has been held in Seattle for more than 50 years, and the 2024 Expo (which ran from November 20th to the 22nd at Lumen Field Event Center) did not disappoint. One of the featured sessions focused on King Cove, Alaska, and the history surrounding this beautiful…