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Unified Command stood down after bulk carrier reached open sea

After the 'Pan Viva' has departed Dutch Harbor, Alaska on the night of Oct 14, enroute its intended destination in Kalama, Washington, the Unified Command managing the incident has stood down, and all response operations have been completed.   The potentially disastrous situation was avoided thanks to early notification by the 'Pan Viva' and a swift, coordinated response by the Coast Guard Seventeenth District. It was regarded as 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. On Oct 12, the Coast Guard had received notification from the vessel with approximately 300,000 gallons of fuel and 21 people aboard, which dropped anchor northeast of Unalaska after being beset by weather and in danger of running aground.   Coast Guard watchstanders dispatched a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew forward-deployed to Cold Bay, and a second MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and HC-130 Hercules airplane from Air Station Kodiak. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton (WMSL 752) was also diverted to assist but experienced sustained heavy weather with winds in excess of 60 mph while attempting to transit to the scene. Tug vessel Gretchen Dunlap, based out of Dutch Harbor, was also unable to assist due to weather but staged an Emergency Towing System aboard and made ready to respond once weather subsided.   On-scene weather at the time in the vicinity of the 'Pan Viva' was up to 58-mph winds and 29-foot seas with two-mile visibility.   As the 'Pan Viva' evaluated the effectiveness of its anchor holding position, a Jayhawk helicopter crew hoisted and transported four non-essential crew members to Dutch Harbor. This precautionary measure reduced potential evacuation time for the remaining 17 crew members in case the situation worsened. On Oct 13 the weather had continued to prevent the 'Pan Viva' from recovering its anchor and getting underway. The tug 'Gretchen Dunlap' arrived on scene to assess the ship’s ability to weigh anchor, but weather conditions continued to prevent further action.   The Unified Command was stood up consisting of the Federal On-Scene Coordinator from the Coast Guard, a State On-Scene Coordinator from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, and an Incident Coordinator from Gallagher Marine Systems. Sector Western Alaska and U.S. Arctic stood up an Incident Management Team in Anchorage. Oil spill response equipment was also pre-staged around Unalaska.  The 'Pan Viva' successfully weighed anchor on the late afternoon of Oct 14 amid improving weather. The tugs 'Gretchen Dunlap' and 'James Dunlap' escorted the vessel out to sea, and the Coast Guard Cutter 'Stratton' remained on scene as the 'Pan Viva' resumed its transit.  Report with photo: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3937144/vessel-beset-by-weather-departs-dutch-harbor-alaska/

Bulk carrier resumed its voyage

The 'Pan Viva' has successfully weathered a severe storm off the Alaskan coast and resumed its voyage, averting a potential environmental disaster and alleviating concerns of a possible grounding off Unalaska, Alaska, on Oct 15. The U.S. Coast Guard cleared the ship to return to sea. Since Oct 12, the ship had been battling fierce winds of up to 58 knots and seas over 20 feet. Despite this, the ship managed to anchor, reporting no mechanical failures and remained stable throughout the ordeal. As a precautionary measure, a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew evacuated four crew members to Dutch Harbor. The Coast Guard Cutter Stratton and a commercial tug remained on standby in the Udegak Pass, ready to provide additional assistance if needed. The Pan Viva was moved to a temporary anchorage on the night of Oct 14 before getting underway again the following morning, en route from Dandong, China to Kalama, Washington, with an ETA as of Oct 21. Report with photo: https://gcaptain.com/cargo-ship-pan-viva-weighs-anchor-after-weathering-fierce-alaskan-storm/

Bulk carrier waiting for weather improvement

The 'Pan Viva', anchored near Unalaska, was not expected to depart until at least the morning of Oct 14, as poor weather conditions persisted. The tug 'Gretchen Dunlap' and two pilots were deployed on the afternoon of Oct 13 to assess the ship’s situation and determined the bulk carrier should stay in place until the storm passes. Unalaska has faced storm-force winds and rough seas since the morning of Oct 11. The Unified Command, based in Anchorage, was leading response efforts and monitoring the situation for potential safety and environmental impacts. The group is made up of local, state and federal stakeholders including the Coast Guard, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and representatives for the Pan Viva from Gallagher Marine Systems. The group was assessing the condition of the Pan Viva’s 700 to 800 feet of anchor line, which has been out for an extended amount of time and part of which has been dragging along the seafloor. Responders are checking for kinks that could cause problems as the anchor is raised. Responders were aware the ship’s anchor is near the GCI Aleutians-AU fiber optic cable, which connects Unalaska to a statewide internet network. Any decisions made to move the 'Pan Viva' factor in the cable. The vessel had prepared the second anchor to be available in case the first were to fail. The first anchor appeared to be holding. The 'Pan Viva' did not intend to make a port call in Dutch Harbor, but came to the area for safe harbor during this weekend’s intense storm. The original destination was Kalama, Washington, and the ship was expected to continue there once underway, weather permitting. The four crew members aboard the 'Pan Viva' who were evacuated from the vessel by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew on the afternoon of Oct 12, remained in Dutch Harbor. It’s up to the ship’s agent to coordinate their return to the vessel, which will not involve another Coast Guard helicopter. All the crew on board were in good standing. The crew’s safety and the environment were the top priorities as the Coast Guard and other members of the Unified Command continue to monitor the situation. Report with photo and video: https://gcaptain.com/cargo-ship-pan-viva-holds-steady-battling-fierce-storm-off-alaska-coast/