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.

Fishy activity reported along Russian boundary

The U.S. Coast Guard included the following in its enforcement report to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, which is meeting this week in Sitka.

U.S./Russian Maritime Boundary Line (MBL) Enforcement

Foreign F/V activity along the MBL increased dramatically in May. In April, there was less than one vessel per day along the MBL, increasing to an average of 15 vessels per day at the end of May. There have been numerous detections of Russian longline fishing vessels briefly crossing into the U.S. EEZ, but no clear evidence that they were fishing in U.S. waters. There is strong evidence that one Russian trawl vessel repeatedly entered the U.S. EEZ. As a result, the Coast Guard increased surface and air presence along the MBL to deter future incursions. Additionally, the Coast Guard communicated these incursions to the Russian Border Guard for further action.