KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
The crew of a Kodiak-based seiner is safe after running aground in the Shelikof Strait and puncturing the hull Tuesday morning. The captain of the 58-foot fishing vessel Polar Star radioed the Coast Guard just after 10 Tuesday morning saying the crew might have to abandon ship.
— (Polar Star 1 :23 sec "Mayday, Coast Guard … have to abandon ship.")
The boat’s operator was identified as Patrick Pikus (pike-us) of Kodiak. After relaying the coordinates, about 65-miles west of Kodiak City, the Coast Guard operator requested more information on the crew:
— (Polar Star 2 13 sec "Roger, 22.87. How many … suits, five survival suits.")
A Coast Guard C-130 Hercules and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Kodiak were diverted to the Shelikof Strait after their assistance was no longer needed at the scene of another call regarding smoke in the engine room of a charter boat out of Seward. They arrived around 11:30 a.m. to find the crew in a skiff near the grounded Polar Star. Pumping operations were underway and Coast Guard assistance was no longer needed. The aircraft left the scene after they were informed the crew were making temporary patches to the hull and were anticipating refloating on the high tide Tuesday night.
Coast Guard spokesman Walter Shinn in Juneau said this (Wednesday) morning that the Polar Star was in Geographic Harbor assessing the patch job and would make their way either to Kodiak or Homer. No injuries were reported and no pollution has been spotted. The Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Detachment in Kodiak will be investigating the incident.
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