F/V MRS Capsize and Sinking

Location: The position of the vessel at the time of the sinking was Grindall Island, which is approximately 30 miles northwest of Ketchikan. An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), activated by the vessel at the time of the casualty, gave the vessel’s position as Lat. N 55° 24.2 Long. W 132° 6.6’.
Time/Date: The vessel reportedly capsized and sank at approximately 3:30 PM on October 14, 2005. ADEC was notified of the incident by the United States Coast Guard at approximately 8:00 AM on October 15, 2005.
Spill Id: 05119928701
Product/ Quantity: The U.S. Coast Guard estimated approximately 100 gallons of diesel fuel was onboard the vessel along with unknown quantities of lube and hydraulic oil at the time of the sinking. The U.S. Coast Guard estimate was based upon the vessel’s fuel tank size, time underway, and fuel burn rate.
Cause: The crew reported that while the vessel was making a turn, it capsized. The vessel was participating in a shrimp fishery at the time of the sinking. The boat capsized on the 14th; however it is unknown when it sank (that night or early the 15th).

A Coast Guard overflight on the morning of October 15 located a 300 yard long debris field and oil sheen off Chacina Point near the mouth of Cholmondeley Sound, Prince of Wales Island (Lat. N55 0 17’ Long. W132 0 02’). This is approximately 10 mile southeast of the EPRIB position and 20 miles west of Ketchikan.