A boat seizure and arrest in Southeast

State troopers have seized the commercial fishing vessel Silver Surfer and arrested a Ketchikan man following a "remote operation" in Southeast Alaska. More details in this press release.

Trident closes sale of Ketchikan plant to Silver Bay

Here's the press release.

Silver Bay to acquire Trident's Ketchikan plant

Here's the press release.

USCG cutter aids injured fisherman in B.C. waters

Details in this news release.

Meeting merry-go-round

The Alaska Board of Fisheries might hold its Southeast meeting in Ketchikan after all.

Fish board postpones Ketchikan meeting

Here's the announcement.

Another legal matter

Back in January, we received the news that the F/V Tlingit Lady had been forfeited to the state in an illegal fishing case in Southeast Alaska.

Now Silver Bay Seafoods is in federal court seeking a sale of the seiner, claiming more than $100,000 is owed against the mortgaged vessel. Here's the lawsuit.

Court filings indicate the boat is under arrest in Ketchikan.

Heck of a halibut deal

Ketchikan-based Waterfall Resort, which bills itself as the most popular fishing lodge in Alaska, is touting a new program to allow anglers to "take home twice the halibut."

"To make this program possible, Waterfall Resort is partnering with commercial fishermen to purchase surplus halibut quota and then offer it exclusively to guests at our cost," the lodge says.

More details in this press release.

Box 'em up!

The state has received an application for a proposed "live geoduck clam boxing facility" at Ketchikan.

See the project details here.

Diver death reported at Ketchikan

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Ketchikan
Type: Death investigation
On 10/8/13 at approximately 1030 hours, a mayday went out from the F/V Ostrich, which was outside of Ketchikan. It was reported that there was an injured diver in need of assistance. The U.S. Coast Guard responded and assisted with transporting the diver to a hospital in Ketchikan. Troopers learned that after arriving at the hospital, 32-year-old Levi Adams, of Leawood, Kan., was declared deceased. The cause and circumstances of his death are under investigation. Next of kin for Adams has been notified.

Note: The U.S. Coast Guard said today "a person involved in the sea cucumber fishery died in a diving accident" on Tuesday. The Coast Guard, however, failed to name the victim.

Vessel reported aground at Ketchikan

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Ketchikan
Type: Agency assist
On 7/20/13 at approximately 0216 hours, the Alaska State Troopers in Ketchikan received a report of a fishing vessel grounded on the beach near Sunset Drive. Investigation revealed the F/V Kelly Anne, out of Washington, had run aground. No injuries were reported. The U.S. Coast Guard was notified and responded. USCG investigation continues.

Is this cutter too dinky for Alaska?

The 110-foot island class cutter Chandeleur.

The U.S. Coast Guard intends to transfer the cutter Chandeleur from Miami, Fla., to Ketchikan to replace the Acushnet, which was decommissioned in March.

But some folks, including Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, are unhappy with the swap.

The Chandeleur is a 110-foot "island class" patrol boat, while the Acushnet was a 213-foot "medium endurance" cutter.

Murkowski, in this press release, suggests the replacement cutter is too small and "will have difficulty making it far out into just the Gulf of Alaska."

She's also concerned the Chandeleur won't arrive in Ketchikan for months pending an overhaul, as this Coast Guard letter explains.

The Chandeleur is named after the Chandeleur Islands, a chain of barrier islands off Louisiana.

After power loss, Southeast boat calls for help

From the U.S. Coast Guard:

June 1, 2011

Coast Guard cutter tows disabled boat to Ketchikan

The Coast Guard cutter Naushon on Tuesday towed the disabled 33-foot fishing vessel Ocean Point to Ketchikan from 16 miles south of Duke Island.

Sector Juneau command center watchstanders received a call via VHF-FM channel 16 from the operator of the Ocean Point reporting he lost engine power after setting out his fishing gear.

The watchstanders issued a Marine Assistance Request Broadcast and the good Samaritan crew of the 34-foot fishing vessel Thomasina responded, reporting they were willing to assist the Ocean Point.

The Thomasina began towing the Ocean Point to Ketchikan, but two hours later they reported to Sector Juneau they were not making progress and were concerned about being pushed in the wrong direction during the tide change.

The cutter Naushon crew got under way at 12:30 p.m. to assist the Ocean Point.

The Naushon crew began towing the Ocean Point at about 3:26 p.m. and safely moored the Ocean Point in Ketchikan at 10 p.m.

Sinking reported at Ketchikan

A 60-foot wooden boat, the Diehless, has sunk in Ward Cove near Ketchikan. Built in 1916, the local boat isn't used for commercial fishing. The U.S. Coast Guard said it was notified at 7 a.m. today. The owner said he awoke to the sound of a bilge alarm around 4 a.m. Sunday. The stern and engine room were flooded. The owner was able to abandon ship safely. USCG photo