Troopers spot troller out of bounds at Yakutat

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Yakutat
Type: Commercial fish closed season
On 5/6/13, while conducting an aerial patrol over Yakutat Bay for a spring commercial troll fishery, Yakutat Wildlife Troopers observed a vessel actively trolling approximately two miles into an area not open to commercial trolling. Troopers made note of the vessel and contacted the operator upon its return to the Yakutat boat harbor. Investigation revealed Mark Sappington, 49, of Yakutat, engaged in commercial trolling for salmon in a closed season. The proceeds of his catch were seized and Sappington was issued a summons for a mandatory appearance in Yakutat District Court.

Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter:

Animal, May 1 — An eagle, trapped inside a fishing vessel. Alaska State Troopers notified.

Environmental, May 2 — Two callers reported 20 to 40 eagles feasting on discarded fish fillets conveniently left in the back of a pickup truck, and the sheer number of eagles made it difficult for other drivers to safely access vehicles parked nearby. An officer scared the eagles away and advised the owner of the pickup to properly dispose of the fish.

Welfare check, May 4 — Caller asked for assistance getting an emergency message to her brother, who was at sea onboard a fishing vessel. The U.S. Coast Guard was able to contact the vessel.

Assist other agency, May 4 — Alaska State Troopers requested use of the Unalaska Department of Public Safety morgue for a body being transported from Akutan to Anchorage.

Halibut fisherman lacked permit, troopers say

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Ketchikan
Type: No halibut permit
On 5/3/13 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Ketchikan Post, cited Chevalier Cook, 29, of Ketchikan, for operating commercial halibut gear in state waters without a Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission interim use permit, and for illegally possessing commercially taken halibut. A mandatory court appearance was set for 5/21/13 in Ketchikan District Court.

Icicle helicopter used to rescue hunters

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Estus Point across from Hagemeister Island
Type: Search and rescue
On 5/5/13 at 0830 hours, a Togiak village public safety officer received a report that Roy Petersen, 31, Ryan Andrew, 29, and a 13-year-old were overdue from a hunting trip. Investigation revealed the three hunters left Togiak on the morning of 5/4/13 in a 16-foot Lund and were traveling down the coast from Togiak. One of the VPSOs was hunting in Matogak Bay and observed the hunters pass by. The wave conditions were becoming more concerning at that time. On 5/5/13 at 1700 hours, a VPSO and a chartered pilot in a Super Cub were deployed from Togiak. The hunters were located walking on the beach in the area of Estus Point. According to the adults, the waves were increasing and they beached the Lund, but they forgot to place the anchor outside of the boat. The tide came up and the Lund was overturned and carried out away from the beach. One of the adults attempted to swim out to retrieve the Lund, but was unsuccessful. An Icicle Seafoods helicopter was chartered and deployed from Togiak. All three hunters were rescued by the helicopter and brought to Togiak where they were determined to be in good condition.

Prince William Sound shrimper cited

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Unakwik Inlet, Prince William Sound
Type: Shrimp gear
On 4/24/13 Richard Corazza, 29, of Anchorage, was cited by the Valdez Wildlife Trooper for operating more commercial shrimp pots than allowed by regulation, and failing to display 12-inch vessel identification numbers. Corazza was allowed to operate 30 shrimp pots on his fishing vessel, but investigation revealed he operated 58 pots. Arraignment set for 5/23/13 in Valdez District Court.

Fisherman failed to turn on VMS, troopers say

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sand Point
Type: Vessel monitoring system
On 4/24/13 Dutch Harbor Wildlife Troopers issued two summonses to Nick August Carlson, 45, of Anchorage, for failing to have his VMS activated during a parallel Pacific cod fishery in 2010 and 2011. Arraignment set for 5/21/13 in Valdez District Court.

Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter:

Disorderly conduct, April 21 — An intoxicated man, who believed his roommate was not keeping their stateroom as clean as required by their captain, moved his roommate's belongings into a common area and then threw a tantrum when he was chastised about his behavior. The captain, who did not wish to fire the inebriate, determined that a time-out was in order and arranged for the inebriate to stay elsewhere for the night.

Roads, April 22 — Officer advised three men who were using a fishing buoy to play soccer in the roadway that though flat ground is a rare commodity in this community, the roadway does not constitute a viable option.

Suspicious activity, April 23 — Woman reported her ex-husband had violated a protective order by contacting her while he was at sea. An officer instructed the woman to contact Alaska State Troopers since the violation occurred outside of city jurisdiction.

Fire safety, April 24 — Caller reported yellow fluid leaking from a bulk liquids trailer. Fire officers contacted a responsible party and learned that the fluid was simply fish oil. The responsible party agreed to clean the accumulated fluid.

Disorderly conduct, April 27, 0122 hours — An officer investigated a minor brawl after being flagged down by a bar employee, and learned that two crewmen had engaged in fisticuffs after one accused the other of failing to pull his own weight at work. The victim did not wish to pursue charges.

Trespass, April 27, 0125 hours — Two men who had been fighting were issued trespass advisements, per UniSea security.

Criminal mischief, April 27, 0151 hours — Two drunken crewmen who had already been asked to leave the Harbor View bar due to their inimical behavior returned to their vessel and engaged in repeated displays of machismo, strewing one another's belongings about a stateroom, punching one another, breaking sunglasses and agreeing to meet on the dock for a duel to settle their differences. Neither man wished to pursue charges against the other. The captain of the vessel agreed to deal with his two model employees in the morning, but was perturbed that neither of them would be spending the night in jail.