(SitNews) - Coast Guard Sector Juneau personnel responded to the sinking of the 80-foot fishing vessel Eyak approximately 16 miles south of Sitka Harbor on Monday after Sector Juneau watchstanders received a call on VHF channel 16 from a crewmember aboard the Eyak stating they had run aground by Calligan Island and were taking on water. Watchstanders requested the launch of an Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew.

The United States Coast Guard also requested Alaska State Troopers and Sitka Mountain Rescue to assist in the recovery of 4 adults from the 80 foot tender F/V Eyak that had run aground south of Sitka. The captain was identified as David Castle, 48 of Sitka. Crew members were identified as Anna Zallau, 29, Charles Wlaslewski, 23, and Debra Rose, 49, all of Port Alexander.

Alaska State Trooper and Sitka Search and Rescue crews arrived on scene and assisted with dewatering of the vessel. The Coast Guard helicopter crew arrived on scene and monitored the dewatering efforts until the crew of the Eyak was evacuated from the sinking vessel by the Alaska State Troopers and Sitka Search and Rescue crews. According to the Alaska State Troopers, the vessel sustained damage to the hull and was taking on water.

The Alaska Wildlife Trooper vessel and a Sitka Mountain Rescue vessel with divers responded to the scene and recovered the captain and crew members from the sinking vessel at 7:55 am Monday. The vessel flipped and sank shortly after and only a small portion remained above water. No one was injured and all rescued parties refused medical attention. A Good Samaritan vessel was reported on Monday to be attempting to pull the vessel to a better suited grounding location.

Alaska State Troopers and Alaska Wildlife Troopers had initially received information on Monday that no survival suits or life vests were available to the captain and crew. It was confirmed on January 20th the captain and crew were all wearing survival suits when search vessels arrived. A life raft was also deployed and one crew member was in it.

"We will assess the sinking to mitigate any pollution impact or hazards to navigation,” said Lt. Stacey Tate, command duty officer, Sector Juneau. "Protecting Alaska's pristine maritime environment is a priority to all of us who work and live here."

Sector Juneau USCG personnel will monitor the sunken vessel for signs of pollution until the owner can salvage the vessel.

The vessel was reported to have approximately 500 gallons of fuel onboard at the time of the sinking.

Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News: 

Alaska Department of Public Safety
www.dps.state.ak.us

USCG
www.uscg.mil

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