Edmonds-based fishing boat sinks off Alaska; crew rescued
JUNEAU, Alaska - An Edmonds-based fishing boat sank Thursday night off the coast of southeastern Alaska, and all four crew members were rescued, the U.S. Coast Guard reported.
Officials said the 84-foot Mary Kay sank in about 600 feet of water, with a potential fuel load of 2,500 gallons of diesel aboard. It is not reported to be a hazard to navigation.
The sinking happened near Dixon Entrance, a waterway separating the north coast of Haida Gwaii (formerly known as the Queen Charlottes) from the southern Alaskan panhandle.
The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the cause of the sinking.
Lt. Ryan Erickson, a search and rescue controller at Coast Guard Sector Juneau, said it is unlikely the fishing vessel will be recovered due to the depth of the water where it sank.
Erickson praised the quick efforts of mariners who responded to the sinking and prevented any loss of life.
"We were very fortunate to have so many good Samaritans respond to this sinking, which limited the amount of time the crew was exposed to the elements," he said.
The Coast Guard was notified at about 10:46 p.m. Thursday that the vessel was taking on water off Cape Chacon near South Prince of Wales Island. Coast Guard Sector Juneau issued an urgent marine information broadcast, and several vessels and aircraft responded.
An 18-foot Alaska wildlife trooper skiff and a tender from the fishing vessel Irish Rose were first to arrive on scene and located the four crewmen of the Mary Kay in immersion suits and a liferaft.
The crew of the skiff took the four survivors aboard from the liferaft and transferred them to another fishing vessel, the North Wind.
The survivors reported no injuries and were taken to Ketchikan, Alaska, aboard the North Wind. They arrived there early Friday morning.
At least one of the crew members is from the Puget Sound area, KOMO News sources said.
Officials said the 84-foot Mary Kay sank in about 600 feet of water, with a potential fuel load of 2,500 gallons of diesel aboard. It is not reported to be a hazard to navigation.
The sinking happened near Dixon Entrance, a waterway separating the north coast of Haida Gwaii (formerly known as the Queen Charlottes) from the southern Alaskan panhandle.
The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the cause of the sinking.
Lt. Ryan Erickson, a search and rescue controller at Coast Guard Sector Juneau, said it is unlikely the fishing vessel will be recovered due to the depth of the water where it sank.
Erickson praised the quick efforts of mariners who responded to the sinking and prevented any loss of life.
"We were very fortunate to have so many good Samaritans respond to this sinking, which limited the amount of time the crew was exposed to the elements," he said.
The Coast Guard was notified at about 10:46 p.m. Thursday that the vessel was taking on water off Cape Chacon near South Prince of Wales Island. Coast Guard Sector Juneau issued an urgent marine information broadcast, and several vessels and aircraft responded.
An 18-foot Alaska wildlife trooper skiff and a tender from the fishing vessel Irish Rose were first to arrive on scene and located the four crewmen of the Mary Kay in immersion suits and a liferaft.
The crew of the skiff took the four survivors aboard from the liferaft and transferred them to another fishing vessel, the North Wind.
The survivors reported no injuries and were taken to Ketchikan, Alaska, aboard the North Wind. They arrived there early Friday morning.
At least one of the crew members is from the Puget Sound area, KOMO News sources said.
Glad they all had there survival suits, and had time to put them on, as well as deploy life raft safely -- and to be so promptly rescued. Being prepared, coupled with some luck, can indeed save your life!
I like how they make sure to mention they fuel load when the Pacific ocean covers fully half of the worlds surface.
 @Mesh The boat captains are required by environmental laws to disclose how much fuel they had on board regardless of what ocean they are in. Its small in comparison to normal vessels that travel that area.
 @Mesh HUH?
Â
 @Rockberry what he is saying it is a moot point of the fuel load of the F/V 2,500 gallons will dissipate in no time in the water of the pacific.
If a troopers 18' skiff went to their aid it sure wasn't rough seas.
@Klondiko Southeast AK doesn't have very rough seas this time of year. sometimes but when i purse seined there we wouldn't fish in high seas. and you'd be surprised what those skiffs are capable of! i've seen them playing in pretty crazy weather.
I am so glad to read all hands are safe!
You are talking life here - even if Capt Keith yells and screams, he is a human being, be respectful.
Any chance that yellin' and screamin' idiot Capt. Keith went down on it, was there?
 @Wormwood The boats called the Mary Kay, stated in the story, not F/V Wizard. Dont think every boat up there is all run by one Captain on a reality show.