ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The United States Coast Guard (USCG), the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC), and the Fishing Company of Alaska (FCA) have formed a Unified Command to respond to the sinking vessel, Alaska Juris, in the Bering Sea.
The Unified Command has activated the fishing vessel Alaska Endeavor, the salvage tug Resolve Pioneer, and a Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak HC-130 Hercules aircraft to search the area northwest of Adak, Alaska, where the fishing vessel Alaska Juris was last seen. Searches by air and sea have been conducted, and so far, no signs of the vessel have been found. Ribbons of diesel sheen were located in the search area, with the source of the sheen unknown. Upon second pass of the search area, the captain aboard the Resolve Pioneer reported the sheen had dissipated naturally. No other sheens have been observed or reported at this time.
Through an abundance of caution, FCA has formally activated a State and Federally-approved oil spill response organization, Alaska Chadux, per FCA’s non-tank vessel plan.
"There have been no reports of injured personnel or major environmental impacts at this time," said Lt. Todd Bagetis, federal on-scene coordinator. "The safety of response personnel, the public and protection of the local environment are our top priorities.”
The fishing vessel, Alaska Juris, began taking on water at approximately 11:30 a.m.Tuesday, July 26. Good Samaritan crews from vessels Spar Canis, Vienna Express, Seafisher, and Ocean Peace assisted in the successful rescue of 46 mariners who abandoned ship after the vessel began taking on water. The crews of Seafisher and Ocean Peace transported them to Adak, Alaska, and they have since been transported to their respective homes.
Mariners are cautioned to avoid the area until further notice. Weather in the area is reported as 17 mph winds, 4-foot seas and fog.
USCG Media Contacts: (907) 209-8731
ADEC Media Contacts: (907) 465-5009
FCA Media Contacts: (281) 352-7740