Boat on the sea
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High Seas and winds caused a tow line to snap on a 330-foot barge being towed ten miles west of the entrance to the Columbia River Bar. The tug boat MIKI HANA called the Coast Guard to report it had lost control of the barge which was carrying 700,000 pounds of construction materials. The tug requested the Coast Guard’s presence on the scene due to the high danger involved in working in 20 foot seas and high winds. After a three hour battle, the MIKI HANA was reportedly able to regain control of the barge using an Orville Hook. A helicopter crew from Astoria Air Station responded to the MIKI HANA’s call for assistance.

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Yesterday, Coastal Villages Region Fund, in a deal with fishing giant American Seafoods, has acquired the 341-foot Alaska pollock factory trawler and three Alaska freezer longliners, the LILLI ANN, NORTH CAPE, and DEEP PACIFIC. In exchange for the vessels and their quota shares, Coastal Villages Region Fund will give up its equity interest in American Seafoods. The Coastal Villages Region Fund had utilized its Community Develop Quota to obtain an equity interest in American Seafoods. The deal for American Seafoods was financed by Bank of America and reportedly involves $750 million in refinancing. Coastal Villages Region Fund has indicated it wishes to move the home port of the NORTHERN HAWK and the other vessel from Seattle to Alaska.

The four vessels employ approximately 200 crewmen during the season. It is unknown how the purchase will impact current crewmen’s jobs.

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Saturday, the ANDREW J. BARBERI, a Staten Island Ferry, slammed into a docking pier injuring up to 40 passengers. The accident is blamed on mechanical failure, and there is no indication that drug or alcohol was involved in the accident. The vessel was carrying 250 passengers at the time of the accident. The ANDREW J. BARBERI was the ferry that was involved in a 2003 accident that resulted in 11 deaths. Investigation into this recent crash by the National Transportation and Safety Board may take years to complete. Fortunately, the injuries to most of the passengers were thought to be minor; however, a number of passengers were taken to local hospitals.

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Late Friday night three tribal fishermen died when their small fishing vessel capsized on the Columbia River near Wisham, Washington. One man survived the accident. The fishermen were part of the Yakima tribe and were participating in a commercial gill netting season for spring run Chinook salmon. The surviving fisherman was able to swim to shore. None of the crewmen were wearing personal flotation devices. The circumstances of how the accident happened are unclear. Winds were reported to be blowing 30 miles an hour at the time of the accident. Another tribal fishing boat reportedly sank on Thursday, but those fishermen luckily escaped injury.

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The 82-foot fishing vessel, Sea Clipper, suddenly rolled and began taking on water Sunday about 13 miles out of Humboldt Bay. The vessel’s fishing gear apparently snagged on the bottom causing the vessel to roll 90 degrees and begin taking on water. The Captain of the vessel immediately issued a May Day call on channel sixteen, setting a Coast Guard rescue effort in motion. The crew of the vessel donned survival suits and launched their survival craft, however, they were able to cut the snagged net free and get the vessel righted. When the Coast Guard arrived on the scene the Sea Clipper’s decks were flooded. With additional pumps provided by the Coast Guard, the Sea Clipper was able to pump out its compartments and start making its way back to Humboldt Bay. Also responding to the May Day call were two good Samaritan vessels, the Lion and the Pacific Ram.

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The Coast Guard has rescued two persons from a capsized boat on Fresh Water Bay approximately five miles northwest of Port Angeles. The two people in the water were spotted from shore, and the Coast Guard was called. The Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter and 25 foot response boat to the scene. The two rescued boaters were not wearing life jackets and were reported to have been suffering hypothermia.

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A fisherman from the 88-foot fishing vessel KAYLA ROSE has been airlifted for medical treatment. The fisherman reportedly injured his arm and was slipping in and out of consciousness, and the crew of the vessel called the Coast Guard for emergency evacuation. The man was taken to Atlantic Regional Medical Center in New Jersey for treatment of his injuries. The circumstances of how the fisherman was injured are unknown at this time.

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A warrant was issued by King County Court for the arrest of Deadliest Catch crewman Jake Harris. One of the stars of the television series about crab fishing in Alaska, Harris, failed to appear in Seattle Court on Wednesday for a hearing related to charges of reckless driving. Previous charges of DUI and hit and run had been dropped against Harris. The lawyer for Harris told reporters for People magazine that the failure to appear for the hearing was a scheduling mistake by Harris. Harris contests the charges against him.

It is important for crewmen on all fishing vessels to clear up any pending legal matters before departing for the fishing season. Failure to appear for trials and hearings can result in arrest warrants being issued and additional charges.

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Saturday, a tank barge reportedly exploded at the LBC tank Terminals near Sunshine, Louisiana. Early investigation indicates the barge was loading benzene at the time of the accident. The Iberville Parish Fire department responded to the explosion and was able to bring the fire under control. Two workers were stated to have been injured in the explosion; the extent of injuries are unknown. The Coast Guard will be investigating the cause of the explosion. Water traffic remains open on the river.

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The 102-foot fishing vessel MUIR MILACH has been involved in an oil spill in Squalicum Marina. An estimated 50 gallons of diesel oil were spilled during transfer operations at the Sawtooth dock in Bellingham. A sheen of oil 100-200 yards long was on the water in the marina. Clean up efforts are underway. The Department of ecology warns that one quart of oil has the potential to foul more than 100,000 gallons of water. The MUIR MILACH was involved in a previous oil spill in 2007. The vessel was reportedly fined $7,500 for that incident.

Contact Information
Stacey & Jacobsen, PLLC Seattle, Washington
4039 21st Ave W. #401
Seattle, WA 98199
Phone: 206-282-3100 Toll Free: 877-332-5529 Fax: 206-282-1149
Stacey & Jacobsen, PLLC Anchorage, Alaska
205 E Benson Blvd #321
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: 907-751-2588 Toll Free: 877-332-5529

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