Adrift Cargo Ship Rescued in Gulf of Alaska

Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau crew monitors the tow of the disabled 400-foot cargo vessel BBC Colorado in the Gulf of Alaska Oct. 9, 2016. U.S. Coast Guard Photo

A tugboat crew from Resolve Marine together with the U.S. Coast Guard helped rescue an adrift 400-foot cargo vessel with 12 people aboard during a multiple day operation in the Gulf of Alaska.

The Coast Guard says it received a distress call October 5 from the master of cargo ship BBC Colorado reporting that they had experienced a severe engine casualty, restricting their speed and maneuverability. With forecasted seas of 30-feet and winds in excess of 50 knots closing in on its location, the Colorado requested assistance.  Located approximately 500 miles away, the Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau was diverted to assist. 

While en route, the Morgenthau’s crew worked to create a rescue assistance plan for the Colorado as the Coast Guard issued a marine assistance request, leading to the response from Resolve Marines’ Dutch Harbor-based Resolve Pioneer tug, which departed Dutch October 7. 

Once within range of the BBC Colorado, the Morgenthau crew launched a helicopter to evaluate the condition of the distressed cargo ship, capture images of the vessel, and make radio contact with the master. 

The Resolve Pioneer arrived on scene Saturday and set up tow with the BBC Colorado. The Resolve Pioneer is currently making way for the state of Washington with the BBC Colorado in tow.

The Morgenthau has since resumed its mission of conducting fisheries enforcement in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea.

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