Coast Guard News Archive Icy Mist Crew Rescued
Aug 1st, 2009 by admin
Coast Guard saves Icy Mist fishermen in hurricane force wind
Feb 25, 2009
JUNEAU, Alaska – A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter crew safely hoisted all four Icy Mist fishermen from the western shore of Akutan Island in winds up to 120 mph at approximately 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Dan Oliver, 45, Clint Packer, 43, Kevin Fisner, 36, and Terry Meyer, 29, were able to make thier way ashore and up a hill to a stable, unobstructed area to conduct safe hoist operations following earlier attempts to rescue the fishermen from the vessel.
“Alaska routinely tests our rescue crews,” said Cmdr. Todd Trimpert, chief of response for the Seventeenth Coast Guard District. “Demanding hoist takes on a whole new meaning in category 3 hurricane winds.”
The cause of the incident is not known at this time and the Marine Safety Detachment Unalaska will be investigating the cause of the incident.
The fishermen were taken to Dutch Harbor. There are no reports of injuries.
Coast Guard, ADEC, Icy Mist owner working to remove potential pollutants from vessel
Feb 26, 2009
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Coast Guard, Alaska Dept. of Environmental Conservation and the owner of the 58-foot fishing vessel Icy Mist have developed a plan for removing fuel, lube oil and hydraulic oil from the vessel grounded on Akutan Island 40 miles east of Dutch Harbor.
According to the crew of the vessel approximately 2,700 gallons of diesel, 150 gallons of lube oil and 200 gallons of hydraulic oil are on board along with 60,000 pounds of pacific cod.
“Our primary focus is the protection of the environment by the safe removal of the oils on board,” said Capt. Mark Hamilton, commander Sector Anchorage.
Magone Marine has been contracted to conduct lightering operations. Using a commercial helicopter, they plan is to pump the fuel and oils into barrels for removal. Salvage of the vessel will be addressed after the potential for release of pollutants on board is minimized.
“This is a marginal time of year for this type of operation,” said Dan Magone, owner Magone Marine. “Given the location and conditions removal of the vessel is extremely challenging. Small boat operations are out of the question and any removal of the wreck is likely to be protracted.”
Current weather on scene is 40-mph winds and 12-foot seas. The Coast Guard is currently conducting an overflight of the Icy Mist and Magone Marine is staging equipment to begin lightering operations during the next allowable-weather window.
Personnel from Marine Safety Detachment Unalaska and Sector Anchorage are conducting an investigation into the cause of the incident.