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Articles Posted in Fishermen

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A Coast Guard aircrew medevaced a 24-year-old crewman from the fishing vessel Carol D near Baranof Island in Sitka, Saturday.

The helicopter crew hoisted and transported the patient to awaiting emergency medical service personnel in Sitka.

The call came in Friday night reporting a crewmember aboard the fishing vessel Carol D was suffering from medical complications from an infected tooth.

The vessel had pulled into Snipe Bay to avoid heavy weather but weather in Snipe Bay prevented a safe transfer of the patient to the air station crew. Given a weather window and likely deterioration imminent the Coast Guard aircrew launched at sunrise on Saturday and completed the hoist and transfer at 7 a.m.

by Tom Evans, Injury at Sea. Continue Reading

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The Coast Guard medevaced an injured fisherman Tuesday from a 63-foot commercial fishing boat operating about 150 miles offshore from Yaquina Bay, Oregon.

The call for help came in Tuesday at about 1:30 p.m. from a satellite phone aboard the 63-foot commercial fishing boat Piky.

The crew member reported that Nathanial Miller, 24, who was working aboard Piky, suffered a serious eye injury and vision loss after a line slipped while he was reeling in a tuna, and a swivel tackle hit him in the eye.

The Piky’s captain transitted toward shore to close the distance and shorten response time for the medevac.

A helicopter crew from Columbia River, and an HC-27J Spartan medium-range surveillance, search and rescue aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento, California, deployed to assist the injured fisherman.

Once on scene, the Jayhawk aircrew hoisted the man, while the Spartan aircrew provided air cover, and communication and logistic support. The Jayhawk aircrew flew Miller to Oregon Health & Science University Hospital in Portland and transferred his care to medical professionals shortly after 6 p.m.

by Tom Evans, Injury at Sea. Continue Reading

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A Coast Guard helicopter aircrew medevaced an injured fisherman north of Kodiak Island, Alaska, Monday. A small boat transported the crewman to shore from the 42-foot commercial fishing vessel Rubicon. The helicopter aircrew transported the man safely from the nearby beach and transported the crewman to awaiting emergency medical services in Kodiak.

The call came in at about 12:45p.m., when the wife of the fishing vessel’s master requested a medevac for an injured crew member. Coast Guard launched a helicopter aircrew to respond. The crewman was delivered safely to waiting EMS personnel within the hour.

by Tom Evans, Injury at Sea. Continue Reading

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The 52-foot fishing vessel Stormie B was aground and taking on water in 4-foot seas, 23-mph winds, in Sukhoi Bay, Alaska, Thursday.

A Coast Guard helicopter arrived on scene at 3:11 p.m. and lowered dewatering equipment and a rescue swimmer. The Stormie B crewmembers were able to deploy the dewatering equipment to control flooding.

There are no reports of injuries or pollution, and the cause of the vessel’s grounding is under investigation.

At 2:23 p.m., Coast guard watchstanders heard a broken, unreadable high frequency radio communication from Stormie B. They issued an urgent marine information broadcast and requested the launch of aircrews from Air Station Kodiak.

Good Samaritan fishing vessel Buccaneer arrived on scene at approximately 3:35 p.m. and remains in the vicinity to maintain communication. The Stormie B’s owner is working with local salvage resources to develop a salvage plan.

by Tom Evans, Injury at Sea. Continue Reading

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American Seafoods reports that 86 crew of the 272-foot trawler, American Dynasty, which carries up to 142 crew, have tested positive for COVID-19. The American Dynasty has returned to its homeport of Seattle and is currently on lockdown. Crew members are in quarantine and being monitored by medical personnel.

While American Dynasty was docked in Bellingham one crew member became ill and was taken to hospital. That crewman tested positive for COVID-19 and remains in hospital.

According to American Seafoods, all crew were tested for COVID-19 before boarding the vessel. Only those who tested negative for the virus were allowed to board.

The novel coronavirus may be an inconvenience for some but other individuals have more severe symptoms that can lead to permanent mental and physical impairment, or death. COVID-19 outbreaks and positive tests among workers have been reported by a dozen other companies.

The U.S. Coast Guard, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Seattle/King County Health Department, Whatcom County Health Department, and the Port of Seattle, are investigating and working with American Dynasty to determine how this outbreak happened and how future outbreaks can be prevented.

by Tom Evans, Injury at Sea. Continue Reading

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COVID-19 outbreaks and positive tests among workers have been reported by Blue Harvest Fisheries, Bristol Seafood, Bornstein Seafoods, High Liner Foods, Ocean Beauty Seafoods, Pacific Seafood, Peter Pan Seafoods, Thai Union and Trident Seafoods.

Exposure occurs through personal contact in cramped living quarters and close working conditions. Social distancing guideline are impractical in meat and seafood processing plants and vessels.

The novel coronavirus may be an inconvenience for some but other individuals have more severe symptoms that can lead to permanent mental and physical impairment, or death.

The U.S. Coast Guard, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and county and port health officials are all investigating and working with these companies to determine future outbreaks can be prevented.

by Tom Evans, Injury at Sea. Continue Reading

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Operational flights of Coast Guard aircraft continue as required, and crews and aircraft are ready to respond to any requests for assistance.

During the planning phase of every search and rescue or medical evacuation mission, Coast Guard District 17 follows protocols to determine potential survivor exposure to COVID-19. Air Station Kodiak maintains appropriate personal protective equipment for aircrews during missions and has decontamination procedures and equipment for the crews and aircraft upon their landing. This capability is deployable anywhere Coast Guard aircraft can land.

Kodiak Coast Guard personnel and their families remain focused on the health and well-being of the entire Kodiak community, especially during this pandemic crisis. Many Coast Guard family members are actively serving the local community as doctors, nurses, and other front line healthcare providers. Many Coast Guard dependents are serving as teachers and educators providing essential online education to the Kodiak community.

Active Duty members and their families are actively volunteering in the community by providing meals, delivering groceries, sewing cloth masks, and providing financial support to those in need.

Coast Guard senior leaders also are members of the Kodiak Emergency Services Committee and the Kodiak Economic Task Force, as well as serving as part of the Kodiak Incident Command System.

Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak remains ready to serve Alaskans and the United States, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

by Tom Evans, Injury at Sea. Continue Reading

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The Coast Guard has suspended the search for a possible person in the water near Dutch Harbor. Still missing is 33-year-old Steven Mencer, last seen wearing a neon green pullover rain jacket with orange and black pants.

Mencer was reported missing at approximately 8:25 a.m. when he failed to report to crew check-in aboard the 164-foot fishing vessel Alaska Mist, moored at the Coastal Transportation Northern Dock in Dutch Harbor. Mencer was last seen at sea aboard the vessel approximately 45 minutes prior to being reported missing.

Coast Guard boat and aircrews searched a total of 63 square miles for Mencer over approximately 7.4 hours.

“After an exhaustive effort today, we suspended our search for Mr. Mencer at 8:20 p.m.,” said Lt. Danny Piazza, the 17th District command duty officer at the time of suspension. “Despite our best efforts, we were already at a disadvantage due to the water temperature and reports that Mr. Mencer was not wearing a PFD. Our thoughts are with Mr. Mencer’s family and friends.”

by Tom Evans, Injury at Sea. Continue Reading

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The Coast Guard is searching for a person in the water near Dutch Harbor Alaska, Thursday. Missing is 33-year-old Steven Mencer, last seen wearing a neon green pullover rain jacket with orange and black pants.

Mencer was reported missing after failing to report to crew check-in while the Alaska Mist, a 164-foot fishing vessel, was moored at Coastal Transportation Northern Dock, Thursday.

The master of Alaska Mist notified Coast Guard at 8:28 a.m., Thursday. Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and directed the launch of aircrews from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the 17th District command center at (907) 463-2000.

by Tom Evans, Injury at Sea. Continue Reading

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Coast Guard medevaced an injured 49 year old fisherman with a serious finger injury liable to infection Saturday from F/V Alaskan Dream southwest of Kodiak Island. The Coast Guard duty flight surgeon was concerned at risk for infection for what would on the surface seem to be a non-major injury.

The Coast Guard helicopter crew hoisted the 49-year-old man from the 58-foot fishing vessel Alaskan Dream at about 1:15 p.m. and transported him to Air Station Kodiak and delivered to awaiting local Emergency Medical Services.

The call from the Alaskan Dream was at about 9 a.m., reporting that a crew member had sustained a serious injury to his finger, approximately 170 miles southwest of Kodiak. The Coast Guard duty flight surgeon was concerned at risk for infection in any such injury, and recommended the medevac.

by Tom Evans, Injury at Sea. Continue Reading

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