Coast Guard terminates Coral voyage in Prince William Sound, Alaska

Fire Extinguisher (Photo credit: Steve and Sara)

Date: Jan. 22, 2013

KODIAK, Alaska — The Coast Guard terminated the voyage of a fishing vessel in Prince William Sound for safety violations Monday.

A boarding team from the Coast Guard Cutter Mustang escorted the 43-foot fishing vessel Coral to Whittier after they discovered the crew operating without functional fire extinguishers. The Coral's crew has been ordered to fix the discrepancy prior to getting underway again.

The Mustang crew conducted the boarding on the southwest side of Montague Strait and while inspecting the on board safety equipment found all three fire extinguishers on board were expired and two were inoperable due to water corrosion.

"The Coast Guard regularly conducts at-sea safety boardings throughout Alaska to ensure mariners are operating in compliance with federal safety regulations and promote the safety of life at sea," said Ensign Victoria Swinghamer, public affairs officer Coast Guard Sector Anchorage.

Free vessel safety checks can be obtained in most Alaska ports by contacting the nearest Coast Guard sector, marine safety detachment or contacting Ken Lawrenson, 17th District commercial fishing vessel safety coordinator. A dockside safety check doesn't exempt mariners from at-sea boardings but it can speed the process along and help ensure any issues have already been addressed before getting underway.