The 738-foot cargo vessel Pan Viva safely departed Dutch Harbor, Alaska, on Monday night, bound for Kalama, Washington, after narrowly avoiding a potential disaster due to severe weather in the North Pacific.
The vessel, carrying approximately 300,000 gallons of fuel and 21 crew members, had been at risk of running aground near Unalaska, Alaska, but a swift, coordinated response from federal, tribal, state, and industry partners ensured the safety of the crew and prevented an environmental catastrophe.
The Pan Viva had dropped anchor on Saturday after being beset by winds exceeding 60 mph and 29-foot seas, leaving the vessel unable to safely navigate through the storm. The ship’s anchor held, but the situation remained precarious due to the potential of the vessel being dragged aground in the severe weather.
“This potentially disastrous situation was avoided thanks to early notification by the Pan Viva and a swift, coordinated response,” said Rear Adm. Megan Dean, commander of the Coast Guard Seventeenth District. “This was an excellent example of our federal, tribal, state, and industry partners coming together to ensure safety of life at sea and prevent a maritime environmental accident.”
A Unified Response Amid Relentless Weather
Once the distress call was received, Coast Guard watchstanders immediately dispatched a forward-deployed MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Cold Bay, along with another Jayhawk helicopter and an HC-130 Hercules airplane from Air Station Kodiak. The Coast Guard Cutter Stratton (WMSL 752) was also diverted to assist, but the extreme weather hampered efforts to reach the scene, as sustained winds above 60 mph and low visibility continued to plague the area.
Additionally, the tug vessel Gretchen Dunlap, based out of Dutch Harbor, was on standby to assist but was initially unable to respond due to the storm. However, the tug’s crew staged an Emergency Towing System and made preparations to assist once conditions improved.
In the meantime, four non-essential crew members from the Pan Viva were airlifted to Dutch Harbor as a precaution, while the remaining 17 crew members stood by as the vessel’s anchor held position.
As weather conditions gradually improved on Monday afternoon, the Pan Viva was finally able to weigh anchor. The tugs Gretchen Dunlap and James Dunlap escorted the vessel out to sea, ensuring a safe passage away from danger. The Coast Guard Cutter Stratton remained on scene to provide additional support, as the vessel resumed its journey to Washington.
The incident prompted the mobilization of a Unified Command consisting of the Coast Guard, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, and Gallagher Marine Systems. In addition, an Incident Management Team was set up in Anchorage to coordinate response efforts, and oil spill response equipment was pre-staged around Unalaska as a precautionary measure.
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