Man arrested at Ketchikan on drug, gun charges

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Ketchikan
Type: Drug search
On 8/21/21 at approximately 1147 hours, a boarding team with the U.S. Coast Guard in Ketchikan contacted AST to request that a Troopers K-9 team respond to the Thomas Basin harbor in Ketchikan for a canine sniff of the commercial fishing vessel Brown Sugar, which was being operated by the owner and sole occupant James Vandebunte, 58, of Wrangell. The USCG boarding team had discovered illegal drug paraphernalia and brought the vessel to the harbor for further investigation. AST obtained a search warrant prior to searching the vessel. Among other drug items seized were 180 net grams of suspected methamphetamine, multiple zip-top plastic baggies, digital scales, and a loaded .357-caliber pistol. Vandebunte (a convicted felon) was arrested for misconduct involving a controlled substance and misconduct involving weapons. Investigation continues.

Man cited, marijuana seized after Sitka boarding

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka
Type: Marijuana possession
On 3/22/14 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Sitka Post, contacted Gordon M. Jensen, 54, of Everett, Wash., during a routine boarding of the F/V Maverick. Investigation revealed Jensen was in possession of marijuana. He was issued a summons to appear in Sitka District Court and the marijuana was seized as evidence.

Boat escorted to port for lack of firefighting gear

From the U.S. Coast Guard:

July 21, 2011

Coast Guard terminates voyage of fishing vessel near St. Paul

KODIAK — The Coast Guard cutter Rush terminated the voyage of the 32-foot St. Paul-based commercial fishing vessel Nina Matrona II for a safety violation during a boarding Wednesday three miles northeast of St. Paul Island.

A boarding team found the vessel master operating without any firefighting equipment. The Coast Guard requires commercial fishing vessels between 26 feet and 40 feet to have two fire extinguishers.

The Nina Matrona II, a longliner, was fishing for halibut at the time of the boarding.

The Rush escorted the boat to St. Paul Island after the boarding was completed.

The crew of the Rush also boarded four other vessels in the vicinity of St. Paul Island.

The 378-foot Rush is a high-endurance cutter based out of Honolulu. It was launched in New Orleans in 1968 and is named after Richard Rush, a former treasury secretary.

Teen crewman breaks arm amid trooper boarding

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Valdez
Type: Medical assist
On 7/13/10, while on patrol during the Valdez salmon seine fishery, Trooper Beck had boarded a fishing vessel in Port Valdez. During the boarding, the skipper's 15-year-old son caught his arm between the seine skiff and seine boat, which appeared to cause a break. Trooper Beck transported the juvenile to the Valdez harbor to an awaiting ambulance. The juvenile was transported to the Valdez Providence hospital, where it was confirmed the arm was broke.

May we come aboard? Please?

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Dutch Harbor
Type: Fail to allow inspection of commercial fishing vessel
On 7/10/09 Mitchell S. Hull, 51 yoa, of Seattle, the skipper of the fishing vessel Ocean Peace, pleaded guilty to the offense of failing to allow inspection and boarding of a commercial fishing vessel. Hull was cited for the offense on April 29 in Dutch Harbor Captains Bay after he attempted to impede troopers from boarding and inspecting the F/V Ocean Peace. Troopers boarded and inspected the vessel and Hull was subsequently charged for the offense. At his sentencing Hull was fined $1,500 with none suspended.