On Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020, the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Juneau Command Center received a mayday call from F/V ELISE MARIE at 1900 hours local time. The vessel was taking on water and sinking near Icy Bay (approximately 160 nautical miles southeast of Valdez).
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The Coast Guard mobilized a C-130 Hercules airplane, an MH-60 helicopter, and cutter JOHN MCCORMICK to assist. The helicopter delivered a dewatering pump to the stricken vessel at 2100 hours which the fishing vessel crew used to buy time while additional help was in transit. Cutter JOHN MCCORMICK arrived the next morning at 1030 hours and started to tow F/V ELISE MARIE towards the Port of Yakutat. The Yakutat Police Department took over the tow near shore. The vessel arrived safely in port at 2330 hours on Oct. 22.
This incident demonstrates the dangers faced by commercial fishermen who work aboard fishing vessels in Alaska. BOATLAW, LLP has represented commercial fishermen throughout the pacific northwest for over forty years. The firm’s admiralty lawyers have a unique understanding of the perils faced by these mariners.
Source: Maritime Executive
