It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Roger Fitzgerald, an 85-year-old maritime writer. He was best known for his column titled “In Search of the Simple Life”. His column brought joy and amusement to commercial fishermen spanning from Seattle to the Bering Sea and beyond. The…
The U.S. Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the “catastrophic implosion” of the privately-owned underwater vessel TITAN. The vessel was destroyed while en route to the wreckage site of the TITANTIC, resulting in the tragic loss of all five individuals on board. On Sunday, June 18, 2023, the TITAN…
On June 15th, the U.S. Coast Guard Base Seattle celebrated the change of command ceremony hosted by U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound. During the event, Capt. Mark McDonnell assumed command of Sector Puget Sound, relieving Capt. Patrick Hilbert from his position as the commander. The ceremony was overseen by…
On Sunday June 11th at approximately 2:25 p.m., U.S. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River watchstanders received a call from a witness reporting that a boat had overturned. Two individuals entered the water east of Tongue Point on the Columbia River, near Astoria. Responding promptly to the distress call was a…
After 17 years, the HUBBARD, an Alaska-built ferry, embarked on its maiden voyage. The ferry, which measures 280-feet long, took an additional four years to enter service due to the need for crew quarters, an amenity that was not part of the vessel’s original design. U.S. Coast Guard regulations limit…
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued three people on Monday morning, May 29th, after their vessel sank in the waters off Cape Arago beach, about 15 miles southwest of Coos Bay. At about 8 a.m. the U. S. Coast Guard received a distress call reporting that a fishing boat was taking…
The 77- year-old F/V PACIFIC PRODUCER, which operates in the waters of the Pacific, has recently come under scrutiny due to numerous violations and safety issues. The 169-foot long vessel has been docked in Tacoma on the Foss Waterway since August of 2022, after smashing into a private pier. As…
The weather has turned warm, and in many places, high temperatures are breaking records. The air may be warm, but the water is still cold. In Washington State, the average summer water temperature is just 55 degrees. This may not sound that cold, but it can be deadly. Warm air…
The 2023 Fishermen’s Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, May 7th at 2 p.m. at Fishermen’s Terminal. Please mark your calendar for this special event to honor those who have been lost at sea. The Seattle Fishermen’s Memorial is a charitable organization dedicated to promoting safety in the fishing…
The 276-foot F/V KODIAK ENTERPRISE caught fire early Saturday morning April 8th while moored at Trident Seafoods in the Tacoma Hylebos Waterway. The vessel was still burning as of Monday, April 10th. The U.S. Coast Guard, The Tacoma Fire Department, the Washington Department of Ecology, the Environmental Protection Agency, and…