Cutter interacts with Bering fisheries during patrol

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Bertholf carried out fisheries enforcement and assistance during a 130-day deployment patrolling the Bering Sea.

The 418-foot Bertholf conducted 24 boardings of commercial fishing vessels, and responded to a disabled fishing vessel 80 nautical miles northeast of Dutch Harbor, a Coast Guard press release said.

"The fishing vessel Seabrooke had lost all electrical power, including navigation equipment and steering as a significant storm was approaching their position," the press release said. "Bertholf arrived on scene and placed the disabled vessel in tow using a bridle that Bertholf's crew handcrafted. Bertholf was relieved of the tow by commercial salvage vessel Makushin Bay who towed the disabled vessel safely into port at Akutan."

Two foreign-flagged trampers were boarded, the Coast Guard said.

The Bertholf also patrolled along the maritime boundary line between the United States and Russia.

Coast Guard finds violations on two factory boats

A boarding team from the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Bertholf found violations aboard two factory fishing vessels in late April.

But the Coast Guard is withholding the names of the vessels involved, as "the violations are still under investigation by NOAA," Petty Officer Sara Francis told Deckboss.

An April 28 Coast Guard press release said one boat was targeting Pacific cod and the other rex sole.

"Both crews had exceeded their bycatch limits and had logbook errors," the press release said.

"The boarding officer was able to educate the master on logbook etiquette and issued three violations, which will ultimately improve fisheries management in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska," said Lt. Matthew Lisko, assistant weapons officer aboard the Bertholf.

The cod boat was a longliner working in the Bering Sea, while the other boat was a trawler operating in the Gulf of Alaska, Francis said.