Coast Guard

Published on: May 23, 2023

Violations and Safety Concerns Plague F/V Pacific Producer

The 77- year-old F/V PACIFIC PRODUCER, which operates in the waters of the Pacific, has recently come under scrutiny due to numerous violations and safety issues. The 169-foot long vessel has been docked in Tacoma on the Foss Waterway since August of 2022, after smashing into a private pier. As concerns over the safety of the men and women who work in the fishing industry mount, it is crucial to shed light on the alleged wrongdoings surrounding this vessel. Accountability and improved practices within the fishing industry are imperative.

Labor Issues

A joint investigation by OSHA and the U.S. Coast Guard found the crew living in deplorable conditions while working for an operator with a history of workplace violations. The F/V PACIFIC PRODUCER has been implicated in labor violations. Several crew members have come forward, alleging harsh working conditions, long hours, inadequate safety measures, and unfair wages. These reports highlight the exploitation faced by workers onboard the vessel.

Published on: May 16, 2023

Dangers of Cold Water

by Joseph Stacey

The weather has turned warm, and in many places, high temperatures are breaking records. The air may be warm, but the water is still cold.

In Washington State, the average summer water temperature is just 55 degrees. This may not sound that cold, but it can be deadly. Warm air temperatures can create a false sense of security for fishermen, boaters, and recreational swimmers.

When a human body enters cold water, it goes into shock. This “cold shock” can cause dramatic changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. Cold water drains heat from the body up to 4 times faster than cold air. Immersion in cold water without a lifejacket or immersion suit can be life-threatening for even the most experienced swimmers.

Published on: April 11, 2023

Fire Aboard Trident Seafoods F/V Kodiak Enterprise

by Joseph Stacey

The 276-foot F/V KODIAK ENTERPRISE caught fire early Saturday morning April 8^th while moored at Trident Seafoods in the Tacoma Hylebos Waterway. The vessel was still burning as of Monday, April 10^th. The U.S. Coast Guard, The Tacoma Fire Department, the Washington Department of Ecology, the Environmental Protection Agency, and several other agencies have responded to this incident.

It is reported that the fire spread throughout the ship, which authorities believe has an estimated 19,000 pounds of freon and 55,000 gallons of diesel onboard. It was reported that the fire had progressed to within 100 feet of the freon tanks.

These vessel freon tanks are designed with pressure sensitive valves that release gas in emergency situations, such as overheating. Freon gas can be toxic in confined spaces or when inhaled in large quantities, but the release of the gas into the atmosphere isn’t expected to put the public at risk.

Published on: March 7, 2023

Tagish Tugboat Recovery Mission

by Joseph Stacey

The U.S. Coast Guard has successfully recovered a partially submerged tugboat that was located at the National Guard Dock in Gastineau Channel, Alaska.

In late December of 2022, the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Juneau was notified after an oil sheen was discovered. Working together, the city of Juneau, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation assembled a response team to deal with the vessel.

A barge-and-crane system was deployed by the salvage firm Melino’s Marine Services, that was contracted to dewater, defuel, and dismantle the TAGISH tugboat. Pieces of the demolished vessel were then placed on a barge and shipped out-of-state for disposal. The operation took about two weeks.

Published on: November 30, 2022

U.S. Coast Guard Clamps Down on ‘Paper Captain’ Operators

by Nigel Stacey

The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River is clamping down on “paper captains” in the waters of Washington and Oregon thanks to Lt. Cmdr. Colin Fogarty, enforcement chief for the sector in Warrenton, Oregon. As an educated and licensed attorney, Fogarty, and his colleagues are highly skilled at proving Jones Act violations and enforcing the law.

Under the Jones Act section 12131 of title 46 of the United States Code, U.S. flagged vessels are required to be under the command of a U.S. citizen. In an effort to save money, some vessel owners hire foreign nationals to command U.S. flagged commercial fishing vessels, offering lower pay. A U.S. citizen, often a subordinate or a deckhand, is listed on paper as the captain. These “paper captains” are not qualified or properly trained to command a vessel. Not only are they breaking the law, but they are putting crewmembers at risk. Lack of proper training and human error cause a majority of maritime accidents.

“The employment of a foreign national as captain aboard a U.S.-flagged commercial fishing vessel is illegal,” said Lt. Cmdr. Colin Fogarty, the enforcement chief at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River in Warrenton, Oregon. “The practice of utilizing paper captains subverts U.S. laws and regulations designed to protect hard-working American fishermen and mariners.”

Published on: August 23, 2022

Response Continues After F/V Aleutian Isle Sinking

by Joseph Stacey

The coordinated response effort continues after the sinking of the F/V ALEUTIAN ISLE just west of San Juan Island, Washington, on Saturday, August 13^th. Groups participating in the response include the U.S. Coast Guard, the San Juan Office of Emergency Management, the Swinomish Tribe, and the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Overhead drone and helicopter footage has confirmed that the diesel fuel sheen appears to have dissipated. Beaches along the spill area have also been patrolled, and as of today no fuel spots or sheens have been located along the shore.

“I am proud of the interagency partnership and collaboration at all levels to respond to this pollution threat and minimize environmental impacts,” said Cmdr. Jon Ladyga, Federal on Scene Coordinator. “While optimistic about the on-water and shoreline assessments, we recognize that critical work remains”

Published on: August 17, 2022

F/V Aleutian Isle Sinks, Causing Pollution Incident

by Nigel Stacey

On Saturday, August 13^th watchstanders at U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound were notified that a fishing vessel located off the west coast of San Juan Island was taking on water and in need of emergency assistance. An Air Station Port Angeles MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, a Station Bellingham 45-foot Response Boat-Medium, and the 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Swordfish were launched in response to the plea for help.

By the time the U.S. Coast Guard arrived on the scene, the 49-foot F/V ALEUTIAN ISLE had capsized and sank. According to eyewitnesses, the boat went down quickly in just a matter of minutes. In a statement issued by the U.S. Coast Guard, the five crewmembers aboard the fishing vessel were rescued by a good Samaritan.

After it was determined that all five crewmembers were accounted for, attention turned to the pollution impact and a survey was initiated. By 5 p.m. just a few hours after the sinking, a 1.75 mile fuel sheen was observed. It is estimated that the vessel was carrying about 2,600 gallons of diesel and oil at the time of the incident.

Published on: July 26, 2022

Crewmember Medevaced from F/V Phoenix

by Nigel Stacey

The U.S. Coast Guard medevaced a 28-year-old man from F/V PHOENIX after it was reported that the crewmember was suffering from severe abdominal pain.

Watchstanders at the 17th District command center received a call from the F/V PHOENIX on Saturday, July 23^rd, at about 11:24 p.m. The vessel was located approximately 160 nautical miles northwest of Cold Bay, Alaska at the time of the call.

The U.S. Coast Guard directed the launch of an Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from the forward operation location at Cold Bay, which arrived on the scene at approximately 6:13 a.m. on Sunday, July 24^th.

Published on: June 28, 2022

Search for Missing Washington Diver Suspended

by Joseph Stacey

It is with great sadness that we report a 33-year-old diver from Edmonds, Washington is missing and presumed deceased. The diver has been identified as Hans Korompis, a talented young chef known for combining the flavors of his native Singapore with those of Central America and the Pacific Northwest.

Mr. Korompis and his diving partner entered the waters of Puget Sound near Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington on the morning of June 17^th. Mukilteo police and fire departments were summoned by a “diver-in-distress” call at about 9:15am. Visibility and conditions at the time of the disappearance were reported as poor.

Units from the U.S. Coast Guard, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, Everett Police, Everett Fire, Mountlake Terrace Police, Marysville Police and Washington State Ferries began searching, using search and rescue boats, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter, and several drones. The weeklong search proved unsuccessful and has been called off.

Published on: April 26, 2022

U.S. Coast Guard Releases Ice Accretion Study

by Joseph Stacey

The loss of the F/V SCANDIES ROSE on New Year’s Eve 2019 was the deadliest accidents since the 2017 capsizing of the F/V DESTINATION, in which all six crew members tragically died. The lawyers at Stacey and Jacobsen, PLLC understand firsthand how devastating these accidents are to those experiencing the loss of loved ones, as we represented the families and survivors in both heartbreaking cases.

These tragic sinkings and capsizing accidents are not altogether isolated. It is imperative for the safety of the industry that we better understand how ice accumulates on pot cages, netting, and the parts within each pot.

In December 2020, the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation requested that the U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC) study the icing factors that were involved in the loss of the F/V SCANDIES ROSE as well as the loss of the F/V DESTINATION. The U.S. Coast Guard recently released the results of this long awaited study regarding the ice accretion and ice accumulation on fishing gear. The study and experiments specifically focused on ice accretion and ice accumulation on the crab and cod pots used in the icy waters of the Alaskan Bering Sea.