|
|
The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the probable cause of the sinking of the Alaska Ranger was uncontrolled, progressive flooding due to a lack of internal watertight integrity and to a breach of the hull’s watertight envelope, likely caused by the loss of a rudder.
It also recommended that: • The Coast Guard should seek from Congress the legislative authority to inspect and certify all commercial fishing vessels, to ensure there’s an appropriate level of safety to those on board.• The vessel’s owner, the Fishing Company of Alaska, should review and modify the procedures for enforcing its drug and alcohol policies to ensure full crew compliance. • The National Marine Fisheries Service and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council should amend their rules to allow for vessel owners who have permission to fish in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Island management areas to replace their ships even when they’re not a total loss. That recommendation will allow aging vessels to be replaced but allow the owners to continue fishing those waters.