End of the line for high-seas drifter

Federal officials intend to scrap the Bangun Perkasa, the high-seas driftnet vessel detained at Dutch Harbor since October.

They're seeking a contractor to "dismantle and dispose of the ship."

Marine surveyor Jack McFarland found the vessel to be old and poorly maintained. He put its value at $250,000.

See the contractor solicitation, the survey report and a bunch of photos here.

Now property of the USA

To a buyer, or the bottom? James Mason photo

A federal judge in Anchorage yesterday signed this forfeiture decree for the Bangun Perkasa, a suspected high-seas driftnetter authorities seized and took to Dutch Harbor last year.

The judge signed the decree after no one came forward to claim the vessel. The government may now sell it.

Or better yet, says Alaska Sen. Mark Begich, the Coast Guard should use the "pirate" for gunnery practice and sink her.

What's your vote?

The 'pirate' arrives

Here's the accused high-seas driftnetter Bangun Perkasa, now tied up at the Magone Marine dock in Dutch Harbor. NOAA has custody of the boat. Deckboss thanks James Mason for the fine photos.

Anybody want this thing?

Here's an update from the U.S. Coast Guard:

Oct. 15, 2011

Coast Guard transfers custody of Bangun Perkasa to NOAA

JUNEAU — The Coast Guard today transferred custody of the Bangun Perkasa, a 140-foot fishing vessel seized for illegal high-seas driftnet fishing 2,600 miles southwest of Kodiak, to the NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement.

NOAA will survey the Bangun Perkasa to determine the value of the vessel and its catch, which includes 30 tons of squid and 30 sharks.

NOAA will then coordinate the sale of the catch and the U.S. government will retain the proceeds of the sale.

Federal law provides a process where the owner is afforded a reasonable period of time to come forward and claim the vessel. If the owner is not identified within the statutorily allotted time, the Bangun Perkasa will be forfeited and sold.

Read the full Coast Guard press release here.