ICE MAIDEN Sunk In Prince William Sound, Coast Guard Developing Salvage Plans

The 36-foot fishing vessel ICE MAIDEN capsized Sunday, July 3 in the Prince William Sound off Rocky Point, Alaska. Reports say the vessel capsized while hauling in a net full of salmon. Good Samaritan fishing vessels NEW VENTURE and AQUANATOR were fishing in the area and provided assistance and transported the crew to nearby Cordova. ICE MAIDEN then sank and came to rest on the seafloor in 35 to 45 feet of water, said Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Jason Boyle.

A salvage company, R&R Diving Services is contracted to carry out pollution response and salvage of the vessel. The company worked early Thursday, July 7, to commence salvage operations and try to raise and dewater the vessel.

Unfortunately, equipment on the salvage barge malfunctioned, and the ICE MAIDEN sank again, this time to a depth of about 180 feet, according to the Coast Guard. Boyle declined to name the specific piece of equipment that failed, but said that the cause of the malfunctioning is under investigation.

No injuries were reported in the initial sinking or from the salvage attempt. A light amount of diesel was spotted Thursday after the incident, and the salvagers are working to clean it up. Meanwhile, Boyle reported the Coast Guard is working with the salvagers to develop a new salvage plan.