F/V Raven Adrift; North of Alaska Peninsula, Bering Sea, AK

North of Alaska Peninsula, Bering Sea, AK | 2003-Oct-15

Initial Notification: On Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 15, 2003, the F/V Raven, an 85'crabber, was poised north of the Alaska Peninsula to begin crabbing when heavy seas caused it to take on considerable water, producing a 30-40 degree starboard list. Fearful of capsizing, the captain put out a MAYDAY and all five crewmen were lifted from the vessel by a Coast Guard helicopter. Northeasterly winds caused the unmanned crabbing to drift parallel to the coast until the afternoon of Oct. 16 when it was in a position 12 to 15 miles due north of Amak Island. With winds shifting to the north the Coast Guard became very concerned that it might ground on Amak Island, the site of a sea lion haulout, classified as an endangered species. At this point the Coast Guard asked NOAA to get involved and provide a "most likely" trajectory for the vessel. NOAA's trajectory had the F/V Raven just missing the east side of the island and grounding on the barrier islands outside of Izembek Lagoon, a National Wildlife Refuge being very sensitive with its large number of transient waterfowl waiting to migrate southward. The CGC Morgenthau was on scene shadowing the Raven but was unable to attach a towline due to the heavy seas. Instead, it attached a drogue, which slowed the movement of the vessel. Meanwhile the owner hired Dan Magone from Unalaska to attempt to come to the scene and offer assistance. Dan arrived when the Raven was only 1 nautical mile off the NE coast of Amak Island, and in a dramatic rescue was able to get a line on the vessel only 0.3 nm from the island and keep it from grounding. The Raven was towed to the lee of the island where it was stabilized, outfitted with a better tow bridle, and then was towed to King Cove to be repaired. The case ended with no pollution entering the water.