F/V Alaska Ranger; 120nm W. of Unalaska Is., Bering Sea, AK

120nm W. of Unalaska Is., Bering Sea, AK | 2008-Mar-23

Initial Notification: SAR - SINKING - FISHING VESSEL ALASKA RANGER - 120NM WEST DUTCH HARBOR - BERING SEA IC: DISTRICT SEVENTEEN MISLE: 396604 WEATHER: Visibility 7 NM, Sea State 6-8FT, Ceiling 3500, Air N/A, Sea 35.6F, Wind N 25KTS SITUATION: 230250U: District Seventeen received a relayed report from COMMSTA Kodiak that the Fishing Vessel Alaska Ranger, 184FT catcher/processor with 47 people on board, was sinking and making preparations to abandon ship approximately 120NM West of Dutch Harbor. The flooding was due to a lost rudder and the crew attempted to seal the affected space but were unable to prevent progressive flooding. District Seventeen launched the ready HH-60 Medium Range Recovery Helicopter from St. Paul Island and the ready C-130 from Anchorage and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter MUNRO, conducting a patrol 110NM to the north of the distress position. As of 0540U all Alaska Ranger personnel have abandoned ship and HH-60 6007 is on scene conducting hoist operations. MUNRO's embarked HH-65 Short Range Recovery Helicopter is also enroute. A staging area has been developed in Dutch Harbor for survivors. The Coast Guard Cutter MUNRO and sister ship Alaska Warrior remain enroute with ETAs of 0830U and 0630U respectively. Vessel has 145,000 gallons of diesel on board.