The crew contacted the U.S. Coast Guard, which dispatched the USCGC JOHN WITHERSPOON to assist. On October 29th, the U.S. Coast Guard cutter successfully took the disabled fishing vessel in tow. However, as the USCGC JOHN WITHERSPOON towed the F/V GREAT PACIFIC near Kayak Island, the Coast Guard cutter itself suffered a main engine failure. Unable to maintain the tow, the cutter was forced to release the tow line, leaving the F/V GREAT PACIFIC unmanned and adrift in the Gulf of Alaska.
All five crew members were evacuated by the U.S. Coast Guard, but the F/V GREAT PACIFIC drifted without anyone aboard for five days across the Gulf of Alaska. During this period, the Marine Exchange of Alaska operations center in Juneau monitored the vessel’s movements closely, tracking its position and alerting other ships around the drifting vessel.
The situation grew increasingly dangerous as the vessel drifted closer to shore. According to the Marine Exchange of Alaska, the F/V GREAT PACIFIC “got eerily close to running aground near Cape St. Elias”, which could have resulted in significant environmental damage and the total loss of the vessel.
As the vessel was at risk of running aground, the T/B BETTY intervened, intercepting the drifting vessel and securing a successful tow. The fishing vessel was safely delivered to Port Etches, situated between the Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound.
Following the recovery, the vessel underwent an underwater assessment to determine its seaworthiness and the extent of damage from both the initial mechanical failure and its days adrift.
This incident underscores several critical aspects of maritime safety in Alaska waters. Even with modern equipment and U.S. Coast Guard assistance, mechanical failures can cascade in unexpected ways. The incident also highlights the importance of coordinated maritime monitoring. The Marine Exchange of Alaska played a crucial role in tracking the unmanned vessel and ensuring other maritime traffic was aware of the hazard, preventing potential collisions or additional emergencies. The evacuation of all crew members before the situation deteriorated further exemplifies the U.S. Coast Guard’s commitment to prioritizing human life and safety.
For commercial fishermen operating in Alaska’s waters, this incident underscores the essential need for vessel maintenance, comprehensive emergency preparedness, and prompt implementation of response protocols.
While the F/V GREAT PACIFIC is repaired and assessed, maritime safety authorities will likely review the incident to find out what went wrong and find ways to reduce risks in Alaska’s tough marine conditions.
Seaworthiness and Psychological Trauma
Under Federal Maritime Law, vessel owners owe their crew an absolute duty to provide a seaworthy vessel, meaning that all equipment, including drive shafts, engines, and safety systems, must be in proper working order. When a vessel fails due to poor maintenance or mechanical breakdown, it’s not just a matter of property damage. Crew members who experience the terror of being adrift in rough seas, facing potential sinking, or being evacuated in emergency conditions have valid legal claims. The Jones Act recognizes that psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression, from traumatic maritime experiences qualifies for compensation. A broken drive shaft or equipment failure that leaves a crewmember stranded at sea isn’t just bad luck, it may be evidence of unseaworthiness.