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.

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