SitNews - Stories in the News - Ketchikan, Alaska

 

Whale entangled in net successfully freed

 

May 31, 2006
Wednesday


Petersburg, Alaska - The United States Coast Guard received a transmission Tuesday afternoon from the fishing vessel Fin that a humpback whale was entangled in its gill net in Frederick Sound outside Petersburg and the crew of the cutter Anacapa launched its small boat to assess the situation.


jpg Whale entangled

Coast Guard Petty Officers Justin Olson and Brian Williams work with NOAA disentangler Don Holmes in Frederick Sound near Petersburg to free a whale that became trapped in a gill net. Official Coast Guard photo by Lt. Herbert Law, Coast Guard cutter Anacapa.


When the small boat arrived on scene, it was determined that the master of the Fin was in no immediate danger and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was notified. NOAA requested the Coast Guard's assistance in taking photos and disentangling the whale. The Anacapa's small boat and crew returned to Petersburg and transported Don Holmes, a NOAA disentanglement expert, and his gear to the scene. On scene the Coast Guard acted as a platform from which the specialist could attempt to free the whale. 


jpg whale rescued

Coast Guard Petty Officers Justin Olson and Brian Williams work with NOAA disentangler Don Holmes in Frederick Sound near Petersburg to free a whale that became trapped in a gill net. Official Coast Guard photo by Lt. Herbert Law, Coast Guard cutter Anacapa.



With the cooperation of the Coast Guard and NOAA, disentanglement efforts were a success and the whale was observed swimming normally out into the open waters of Frederick Sound. The captain of the Fin continued with his fishing trip as planned.

The Coast Guard cutter Anacapa is a 110-foot patrol boat stationed in Petersburg.

 

Source of News & Photos:

United States Coast Guard
www.uscg.mil

 




Publish A Letter on SitNews
        Read Letters/Opinions

Contact the Editor

SitNews
Stories In The News
Ketchikan, Alaska