January presents additional challenges for maritime personnel. The onset of icy conditions increases the risk associated with daily operations, making routine movements more hazardous and demanding heightened vigilance. Frozen equipment can fail when needed, and visibility drops during winter storms. The structural icing that builds up on vessels can affect…
On Monday, January 5th, 2026, nine fishermen spent more than seven hours stranded on their vessel near St. George Island during hurricane force winds. The individuals were subsequently rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard. The F/V ARCTIC SEA ran aground near the remote island of St. George, located 750 miles…
On Sunday, December 14th, 2025, a fisherman was rescued after his vessel caught fire approximately 100 miles west of Clearwater, Florida. At 3:27 p.m., the U.S. Coast Guard’s Southeast District was alerted by an emergency position radio beacon, prompting them to dispatch a Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter rescue team. The…
A recent study has revealed key insights into the dramatic drop in eastern Bering Sea snow crab populations during 2018–2019, marking one of the largest ever recorded marine mortality events. Led by NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center biologist Erin Fedewa, the groundbreaking study examined energy reserves in snow crabs before,…
When most people think about dangerous jobs, they picture dramatic accidents such as explosions, falls, or machinery malfunctions. However, a significant yet often overlooked risk affecting America’s 400,000 maritime workers is chronic fatigue. This silent hazard can undermine safety across commercial fishing vessels, cargo ships, offshore platforms, and seafood processing…
Have you ever thought about how safety regulations for commercial fishing vessels get decided? The U.S. Coast Guard wants to hear from people like you. They’re looking for new members to join the National Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Advisory Committee, a group that meets twice each year to help develop…
On Monday, November 17, 2025, four individuals were rescued near Grays Harbor, Washington, after their vessel began taking on water and was reportedly sinking. The crew of a nearby good Samaritan F/V LADY NANCY pulled the individuals from the water and performed CPR on one person who was unresponsive. The U.S.…
On October 27, 2025, the F/V GREAT PACIFIC, a 134-foot U.S. fishing trawler carrying five crew members, lost power approximately 100 miles south of Yakutat, Alaska. The vessel suffered a broken drive shaft, leaving it dead in the water and adrift in rough 30-foot seas. The crew contacted the U.S.…
If you’re injured while working on a vessel in Alaska, your maintenance payments should reflect the actual cost of living there, not just employer-set rates. Many vessel owners underpay maritime workers during recovery, disregarding the higher costs in remote locations. While this article will address the specific rates and challenges…
The waiver of the Jones Act which allows Finland to construct four Arctic Security Cutters for the U.S. Coast Guard represents a significant point at which Arctic geopolitics, fishing rights, and maritime policy intersect. This crucial decision highlights the challenges arising from longstanding protective laws and the conditions presented by…