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.

A timeout for the Teri Lynn

A U.S. Coast Guard skiff tails the fishing vessel Teri Lynn on Sept. 6 in the western Gulf of Alaska. A boarding team from the cutter Acushnet ordered the boat to port at King Cove after finding safety violations including an inoperable high-water alarm system, inadequate fire extinguishing gear and an expired EPIRB. The Teri Lynn was able to sail the next day after fixing the problems, the Coast Guard said. The boarding team also ordered the cod boat St. Francis to port due in part to improper survival suits. USCG photo

Boat ordered to port on life raft, EPIRB violations

From the U.S. Coast Guard:

April 28, 2010

Cutter terminates voyage of fishing vessel for safety violations

KODIAK — The Coast Guard cutter Mustang terminated the voyage of the 42-foot commercial fishing vessel Varag due to safety issues following a boarding today 25 miles off of Middleton Island in the Gulf of Alaska.

A Coast Guard boarding team from the cutter found the vessel master operating without a life raft available for the crew and with an improperly mounted emergency position indicating radio beacon. The EPIRB's battery also was expired. The Coast Guard requires commercial fishing vessels to carry these items on board and to have them operational.

The vessel was being escorted by the Mustang's crew to Seward, but is now under tow by the cutter due to a loss of propulsion. They are expected to arrive Thursday in Seward. The crew will be required to correct the safety discrepancies and have their propulsion system looked at by the Coast Guard prior to getting under way again.

The Varag is homeported in Portland, Ore. The 110-foot multimission patrol boat Mustang is based out of Seward.

Ketchikan man arrested on assault charge

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Ketchikan
Type: Assault, criminal mischief
On 02-26-10, on behalf of the Alaska State Troopers, the U.S. Coast Guard Station Ketchikan conducted a welfare check on a female on board a privately owned M/V under way in the Tongass Narrows. The welfare check was conducted after AST received a report from the female of a disturbance on board the vessel. Investigation resulted in the arrest of 59-year-old Timothy A. Crawford of Ketchikan on charges of assault and criminal mischief. Crawford was transported to Ketchikan Correctional Center.

Some liquor, some beer, a rescue and a verdict

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Nome
Type: Importing alcohol — trial results
On 2/24/10 a Nome jury found Timothy L. Moore, 40, of Elim, guilty of felony alcohol importation. The verdict stems from an incident that occurred on 8/24/09 when Moore, Martin Saccheus and Wayne Moses conspired to purchase and import 84 bottles of alcohol and 72 cans of beer to Elim. Prior to their U. S. Coast Guard ocean rescue, Moore and Saccheus pitched the alcohol into the ocean to avoid being caught. Sentencing is scheduled for March.

Cutter calls safety timeout for Southeast boats

The following press release is from the U.S. Coast Guard. For some reason, it fails to name the vessels involved.

Jan. 7, 2010

Coast Guard crew terminates three Alaska fishing vessels

JUNEAU — The Coast Guard cutter Naushon terminated the voyages of two 50-foot and one 45-foot commercial fishing vessels Wednesday near Craig for safety violations.

A boarding team from the Naushon terminated the voyage of all three vessels between 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. One of the fishing vessels was terminated due to an expired life raft, while the other two were terminated due to lack of a primary lifesaving device. Two of the vessels also had expired documentation.

Life rafts aboard commercial fishing vessels must be repacked annually and the hydrostatic release must be replaced or serviced in the required timeframe depending on the type.

"Life rafts and flotation devices have made the difference between life and death many times in Alaska," said Capt. Melissa Bert, Sector Juneau commander. "We take the requirement to have them on board seriously."

All the vessels were escorted by the Naushon to Craig. Two of the vessels are homeported in Craig while the third hails from Klawock.

The vessels must clear the terminable offenses prior to getting under way. All three vessels were given a compliance option that may reduce or remove any potential fines provided that the vessels pass a dockside safety exam.

The 110-foot Naushon is based out of Ketchikan, Alaska. It was under way conducting random commercial fishing vessel boardings in the vicinity of Prince of Wales Island.

The Coast Guard conducts random boardings to help ensure owners and operators of commercial fishing vessels maintain required safety equipment.

To be better prepared for an at-sea boarding, voluntary dockside exams are available. Coast Guard personnel are available to examine safety equipment, inform the owner or operator of what's right and what needs to be corrected free of charge and penalty free.

For questions or to inquire about a free commercial fishing vessel safety exam contact the nearest Coast Guard Sector or Marine Safety Detachment.

Four crabbers cited for boarding ladder violations

From the U.S. Coast Guard:

Boarding teams in October issued fisheries violations to four Bering Sea crab boats lacking safe boarding ladders.

The boats were the Wizard, the Adventure, the Kiska Sea and the Kodiak.

Possible child sexual abuse reported in Kodiak

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Kodiak
Type: Sexual abuse of a minor, 1st degree
On 10/21/2009 at approximately 0950 hours, Alaska State Troopers and U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service received a report of a possible sexual abuse of a minor. Investigation revealed that 2-year-old female of Kodiak was possibly sexually assaulted. Investigation is ongoing.

Burglar tees off on Coast Guard golf shop

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Kodiak
Type: Burglary
On 06-18-2009 at approximately 0131 hrs U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Military Police responded to an alarm at the Pro Shop for the USCG Integrated Support Command (ISC) Golf Course on Anton Larsen Road. Investigation determined a minimum amount of stock was taken. Several windows and display cases were broken. Anyone with information concerning this burglary should contact Alaska State Troopers at (907) 486-4121.

Buoy bashing

From the U.S. Coast Guard:

May 28, 2009

Navigational aids targeted by vandals, thieves

JUNEAU, Alaska — The Coast Guard has set numerous seasonal aids to navigation, including the Mendenhall Bar and Holkahm Bay buoys, to aid mariners in safely navigating the waterways.

Coast Guard technicians have conducted regular servicing and discovered aids off their moorings, with batteries stolen or riddled with bullet holes. These and other acts of vandalism waste valuable time and taxpayer funds with repairs and replacement, as well as limit or negate visibility of the aids.

There are over 800 aids facilitating the flow of commerce throughout Southeast Alaska year-round. The Coast Guard aims to ensure that all aids to navigation are on station, displaying proper characteristics.

Persons who vandalize, obstruct or impair the usefulness of aids to navigation in any way are subject to a fine of $2,500 and up to one year in prison.

Vandalism or theft are most often reported in Gastineau Channel, lower Stephens Passage, and Olga and Neva Straits near Sitka.

In 2007, McDonald Rock Lighted Buoy in Stephens Passage was shot by a large-caliber rifle and sunk. The cost of a replacement buoy was over $28,000.

Boaters who notice discrepant, missing or damaged aids, or witness anyone vandalizing or stealing aids, are requested to contact the nearest Coast Guard unit or the District 17 Command Center at (907) 463-2001.