Unalaska, AK – A fishing vessel stranded south of Saint George Island since Thursday night will be towed to Dutch Harbor.

The Zenith, a 107-foot freezer longliner based out of Seattle, began drifting about 25 nautical miles southwest of Saint George after an engine failure. The Coast Guard cutter Jarvis arrived on scene this morning at about 3 a.m., and at first light began preparing a tow line to bring the vessel to Dutch Harbor.

Coast Guard cutters are not designed for towing operations, but Petty Officer Sara Francis said this is a special circumstance.

"There was no other vessel nearby capable of moving the vessel or taking the crew," Francis said.

Francis said no injuries have been reported in the incident. The Zenith is owned by Seattle-based Jubilee Fisheries. Jubilee personnel director John Bruce said the boat has sixteen crew members and was fishing for Pacific cod when the engine troubles occurred.

A salvage tugboat from Dutch Harbor-based Magone Marine Service has been contracted to bring the Zenith into port. Owner Dan Magone said his crew expects to leave Saturday morning and take over for the Jarvis about halfway between Saint George and Dutch Harbor.

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