Factory trawler needs a tow in Bering Sea

A tug was dispatched from Dutch Harbor today to assist the factory trawler Alaska Victory, which was reported adrift due to a "mechanical failure," a U.S. Coast Guard spokesman said.

The trawler, part of the Fishing Company of Alaska fleet, was located about 19 nautical miles west of Akutan.

It was drifting at only a knot to a knot and a half, and was not in any danger, said Coast Guard Petty Officer David Mosley.

The Coast Guard was notified of the situation shortly before noon.

A Magone Marine tug was on the way to retrieve the Alaska Victory, which is more than 200 feet long and has a crew of 48.

Search ends for man overboard

The U.S. Coast Guard reports it suspended its search at 5:50 p.m. yesterday for a missing crewman on the Bering Sea trawler Alaska Victory.

The Coast Guard has not identified the man, other than saying he is Japanese and 55 years old, not 50 as initially reported.

Man lost off Bering Sea trawler Alaska Victory

This just in from the U.S. Coast Guard:

May 25, 2011

Search on for man overboard 110 miles west of Togiak

JUNEAU — The Coast Guard is searching for a man reported overboard today from the 226-foot commercial fishing vessel Alaska Victory 110 miles west of Togiak.

The Coast Guard in Kodiak received notification at 6:45 a.m. by VHF radio from a crewmember aboard the Alaska Victory reporting a 50-year-old Japanese man fell overboard at 6:30 a.m. with no survival gear or life jacket on.

Crews aboard an HC-130 Hercules aircraft and a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Kodiak are searching for the fisherman.

The Hercules aircrew arrived on scene at 7:40 a.m. and the Jayhawk rescue helicopter aircrew are expected to arrive on scene at 10:30 a.m.

There are also four fishing vessels in the area searching for the overboard fisherman.

Conditions in the search area include seas of 6 to 8 feet, wind speed of 20 mph and an air temperature of 42 degrees.