Maritime News

Published on: July 22, 2025

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

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:

Published on: July 22, 2025

Injured Maritime Worker Medevaced to Honolulu

by Nigel Stacey

A 41-year-old crew member suffering from a fractured arm and possible head injury was successfully medevaced from a cargo ship located approximately 1,000 miles northeast of Oahu on July 19^th, 2025. The bold rescue, coordinated by the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) Honolulu, brought the injured mariner to safety after a multi-day transit.

The incident began around 3:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17^th when JRCC Honolulu watchstanders received a call from Eastaway Ship Management. It was reported that a crew member aboard their 892-foot, Singapore-flagged cargo ship, the EA CHARA, had sustained a significant injury far out in the Pacific.

Following a consultation with a duty flight surgeon, who strongly recommended a medical evacuation, JRCC Honolulu established communication with the EA CHARA. This allowed them to monitor the patient’s condition as the cargo ship altered course and headed towards Oahu.

Published on: July 16, 2025

Tsunami Warning for Southern Alaska Coast

by Nigel Stacey

A powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off Alaska’s Aleutian chain today, triggering a TSUNAMI WARNING for a 700-mile stretch of the state’s southern coast, from Homer to Unimak Pass. The quake, hitting 54 miles south of Sand Point shortly after 12:30 p.m., has put coastal communities on high alert.

Communities like King Cove, Unalaska, and Kodiak have issued immediate calls for residents to move to higher ground. Unalaska officials specifically advise moving at least 50 feet above sea level or a mile inland. Emergency shelters are reported to be open in Kodiak.

While initial reports indicate no significant damage from the first waves in Sand Point, authorities are treating this seriously. “We’re making sure communities are notified so they can activate their evacuation procedures,” stated Jeremy Zidek of the state’s emergency management division.

Published on: July 15, 2025

Dredging Project Begins at Unalaska Dutch Harbor in Alaska

by Nigel Stacey

A critical infrastructure project is officially underway in Alaska, which will significantly enhance navigation and strengthen the economy for one of the nation’s most vital fishing ports. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Alaska District has announced the beginning of dredging operations for the Unalaska-Dutch Harbor Channels Project. Work began in June, targeting a shallow bar that has been a challenge for larger vessels attempting to enter Iliuliuk Bay and access Dutch Harbor.

Dutch Harbor, consistently ranking among the top fishing ports in the United States by volume and value, is the cornerstone of the Alaskan and national seafood industry. However, the shallow bar at the entrance to Iliuliuk Bay has historically restricted the size of ships that can safely navigate the channel, particularly during certain tides. This hurdle has caused delays and increased operational costs for fishing fleets and cargo vessels as well as limiting growth and efficiency within the port.

The $9.2 million project, awarded to J.E. McAmis Inc. of Chico, California, is a collaborative effort with the City of Unalaska. Funded 75% by the federal government and 25% locally, the completed project should alleviate the historically long navigational constraints. The primary objective is to remove approximately 172,000 cubic yards of sediment from the channel. This will create a new, expanded channel measuring 600 feet by 600 feet, with a significantly increased depth of 58 feet. This deeper and wider passage will allow larger, more modern vessels to access Dutch Harbor with greater ease and safety, regardless of tidal conditions.

Published on: June 17, 2025

Morning Midas Still Ablaze Off Alaskan Coast

by Nigel Stacey

The U.S. Coast Guard is actively working to extinguish a persistent fire aboard the car carrier MORNING MIDAS, located approximately 220 miles south of Adak, Alaska. The first salvage vessel has now reached the scene, joining the ongoing efforts.

The incident began on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025, when smoke was detected on a deck full of electric vehicles. The MORNING MIDAS was transporting cargo from Yantai, China, to Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico, when the fire erupted. Despite the crew’s emergency response and the activation of onboard fire suppression systems, the blaze intensified, forcing all 22 crew members to abandon ship.

The crew evacuated via lifeboat and were subsequently rescued by the merchant vessel COSCO HELLAS. Currently, the tug vessel GRETCHEN DUNLAP is on site with salvage personnel working to assess the conditions.

Published on: June 10, 2025

Tragedy at Sea: Surviving Two Weeks Adrift After Fishing Vessel Sinks

by Nigel Stacey

Alec Frydman was a young man pursuing a new path in life when he signed on for his first trip aboard a commercial fishing vessel. Tragically, that first voyage turned into a nightmare. In his powerful first-person account published in The Atlantic (June 2025), Alec recounts a violent storm that sank the fishing vessel, claiming the life of the captain and leaving Alec alone in a life raft for 14 days. He was the sole survivor. His harrowing story of survival has drawn national attention—and ultimately led him to seek legal counsel from maritime attorney and partner Nigel Stacey of Stacey and Jacobsen, PLLC.

Without warning, Frydman found himself alone, dehydrated, and without working emergency equipment. He survived through prayer, mental discipline, grit, and sheer willpower. His experience underscores the hazards encountered by maritime workers and emphasizes the necessity for well maintained, operational safety equipment.

Many survival tales share common themes of endurance, resilience, and the thin line between hope and despair. Alec’s account stands out for its emotional depth and clarity. Drifting without food, water, or contact, he entered what he describes as a “liminal” state, cut off from past and future, afloat in the terrifying now.

Published on: June 3, 2025

Seattle’s Expanding Maritime Sector

by Nigel Stacey

The maritime industry in Washington state, particularly within the Puget Sound region, is a thriving sector that offers diverse career opportunities both on shore and at sea. This part of the state’s economy contributed more than $45.9 billion in 2022 and provided more than 174,300 jobs.

These maritime professions are often financially rewarding, providing substantial wages. The average annual compensation for maritime workers in Washington state, including benefits, is estimated at $112,000. Even entry-level union positions can range from $55,000 to $140,000, highlighting the earning potential in this field.

To sustain this growth, there’s a strong focus on workforce development. Seattle is strategically positioning itself as a global hub for the maritime and clean energy economy, highlighting its commitment to future growth and innovation.

Published on: May 14, 2025

Empowering Alaska Fishermen Through Insurance Cooperatives

by Stacey & Jacobsen, PLLC

House Bill 116 is currently under consideration by the Alaska State Senate, representing a potential turning point for the state’s commercial fishing industry. This legislation would authorize Alaskan fishermen to form their own insurance cooperatives, which would lower operating costs and ensure the financial stability of smaller operators facing increasingly difficult economic conditions. Having passed the House unanimously, the bill is now before the Senate, with a strong possibility of enactment this session.

The bill originated from the Joint Legislative Task Force Evaluating Alaska’s Seafood Industry, which analyzed and identified growing financial strains on commercial fishermen. As Representative Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, and Senate President Gary Stevens have emphasized, the combination of record-high operating costs and record-low fishing market prices calls for innovative solutions to support this vital sector of Alaska’s economy.

The primary concern driving this legislation is the increasing cost and decreasing availability of traditional insurance for fishing vessels. Underwriters are reportedly increasing premiums and becoming more selective with their customers. This has created a significant barrier for many independent fishermen seeking insurance. By enabling fishermen to collectively pool their resources, they can create a larger, potentially lower-risk insurance pool, theoretically leading to more attractive rates and greater access to coverage.

Published on: May 12, 2025

Coast Guard Suspends Search for Missing Captain After Fishing Vessel Sinks Near Westport

by Stacey & Jacobsen, PLLC

The sinking of the 68-foot fishing vessel F/V CAPTAIN RALEIGH near Grays Harbor, Washington, has sent a wave of grief through Pacific Northwest fishing communities. The tragic incident has left Newport captain Jon Stevenson, a seasoned mariner, missing. In the wake of this devastating event, an outpouring of support for the Stevenson family has begun, including a vigil held by the Fishermen’s Wives in Newport on Saturday evening and the launch of a GoFundMe campaign.

The U.S. Coast Guard has called off the search for the 44-year-old captain of the F/V CAPTAIN RALEIGH, which sank Friday morning near the entrance to Grays Harbor. Three other individuals who were aboard the 68-foot vessel were rescued from the water by a U.S. Coast Guard boat crew.

The F/V CAPTAIN RALEIGH issued a distress call around 8:15 a.m., reporting they were rapidly taking on water and onboard pumps were failing. U.S. Coast Guard Sector Columbia watchstanders immediately broadcast an urgent marine information notice and dispatched rescue assets, including boat crews from Station Grays Harbor and an aircrew from Air Station Astoria.

Published on: May 6, 2025

Rock Crab Fishing Returns to Northern California

by Nigel Stacey

After nearly a decade, commercial fishermen in northern California are once again permitted to harvest rock crab. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has announced the reopening of the commercial fishery along the coast from the California Oregon border south to the north jetty of Humboldt Bay. This long stretch of rock crab habitat has been closed since 2015 due to persistent domoic acid contamination.

The initial closure of this fishery stemmed from the most extensive recorded bloom of domoic acid along the West Coast. Emergency regulations were enacted, and despite subsequent declines in toxin levels, the area remained off limits through a series of state declarations due to a lack of consistent testing in the years that followed.

A turning point arrived with renewed engagement from commercial fishermen, who proactively began submitting rock crab samples from both central and northern California waters. These efforts proved successful, as recent testing now confirms that domoic acid levels in the newly reopened zone are safely below the federal action level of 30 parts per million for crab viscera.