Bristol Bay homicide investigation

The Alaska State Troopers today posted this press release.

State records list a Henry Ayojiak, of Manokotak, as a Bristol Bay salmon setnet permit holder.

Container ship captain arrested

U.S. Coast Guard authorities in Seattle arrested the captain of a nearly 1,100-foot container ship on suspicion of operating the vessel while intoxicated. Details in this press release.

An update on the Northline barge

It appears the two sides in a lawsuit that resulted in the arrest of the Northline Seafoods processing barge over a debt obligation have reached a deal that could see the vessel's release.

The parties in a joint status report say they've reached an agreement whereby the owners of the vessel would file a special bond of $1,378,000.

The court has entered an order canceling a planned Friday hearing and directing the parties to file papers for the posting of the bond and the release of the vessel from arrest.

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.

Troller jailed at Sitka after drunken ruckus at sea

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka
Type: Multiple offenses
On 2/13/16 at 1347 hours, Alaska Wildlife Troopers and Sitka police responded on the P/V Courage to reports of a fishing vessel attempting to ram other boats near Cape Edgecumbe during the Sitka Sound winter salmon troll fishery. Investigation revealed Timothy D. Demmert, 33, of Klawock, was operating the 47-foot power troller F/V Emmanuel and had intentionally run over gear of other fishermen causing loss of the gear and loss of fishing time. Demmert refused a boarding at sea by troopers and was eventually boarded in Sitka harbor at 1824 hours where he was found to be under the influence of alcohol and in possession of a loaded shotgun. Demmert was arrested and remanded to Sitka jail on charges including DUI watercraft, misconduct involving a weapon, refuse boarding, interfere with commercial gear, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment. Bail was set at $10,000 cash performance bond. The investigation is continuing and more charges are likely to be forwarded to the district attorney's office.

Arrest made in Coast Guard double homicide

Federal prosecutors just issued the following press release:

Feb. 15, 2013

U.S. attorney announces arrest for murder of Coast Guard employees in Kodiak

ANCHORAGE — U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that James Michael Wells of Kodiak was arrested today for the murder of U.S. Coast Guard Electrician's Mate 1st Class James Hopkins and retired Chief Boatswain's Mate Richard Belisle.

Hopkins and Belisle, who was working as a Coast Guard civilian employee, were murdered at the U.S. Coast Guard Communications Station Kodiak on April 12, 2012.

Wells was arrested under a federal arrest warrant based on a criminal complaint.

Loeffler notes that the arrest comes after an extensive investigation led by the FBI and the Coast Guard Investigative Service, with support from the Alaska State Troopers.

It is anticipated that Wells will appear in court in Anchorage next week.