Factory trawler sustains serious damage

American Dynasty's scorched superstructure. USCG photo

From the look of photos the U.S. Coast Guard released today, the fire aboard the American Seafoods factory trawler American Dynasty caused some pretty nasty damage.

Here's the Coast Guard press release:

March 19, 2010

Coast Guard investigates at-sea vessel fire

ANCHORAGE — Coast Guard Sector Anchorage is investigating an engine room fire that burned for more than three hours March 10 onboard the fishing vessel American Dynasty 50 miles northwest of Cold Bay.

"We are working to understand what caused the fire," said Lt. Cmdr. Brad Clare, Sector Anchorage chief of inspections division. "We have investigators in Dutch Harbor working with the ship owners to ensure proper temporary repairs are made before allowing the vessel to transit safely to Seattle for permanent repairs."

The 286-foot Seattle-based American Dynasty had reported a fire aboard the vessel, with a crew of 137. After a three-hour battle using three fire fighting teams, the crew extinguished the fire with no reported injuries or fatalities.

Upon receiving notification of the fire, the 17th Coast Guard District command center in Juneau launched the ready HC-130 Hercules aircraft from Anchorage, two MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters from St. Paul, and an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Cold Bay. The cutters Munro and Alex Haley were also diverted.

Upon receiving notification of the fire being extinguished, all Coast Guard assets were ordered to stand down except for the Kodiak-based Munro, which escorted the American Dynasty to Dutch Harbor.

The Coast Guard investigators in Dutch Harbor are working in cooperation with marine surveyors to determine the cause of the fire and assess the extent of the damage.