Engine Troubles Force Cargo Ship Into Unalaska
Thursday, February 21 2013
The 72-hour track of the M/V Bangkok Bridge, starting Tuesday. Image courtesy of Rick Sypeck/Marine Exchange of Alaska
For the second time this month, a vessel transiting the Great Circle shipping route has sought safe harbor in Unalaska. The 876-ft Bangkok Bridge was drifting in Unimak Pass Wednesday after losing power to its engines.
Coast Guard Lieutenant Jim Fothergill says the cutter Munro had already loaded up Unalaska’s emergency towing system before the operation was called off.
“They were able to refire their engines probably around 11 o’clock [Wednesday] night.”
The Panamanian-flagged cargo ship was headed to Long Beach, but the Coast Guard ordered it to anchor in Unalaska in order to make repairs. Lieutenant Fothergill says it’s not clear what’s wrong with the engines, so the ship could be in port for several days.
“They’re going to complete the repairs and then a recognized class society is going to come out," Fothergill says. "That’s a third-party who is going to inspect their repairs and ensure the vessel is seaworthy, and then we’ll go from there.”
The vessel is anchored in Summer Bay, and Fothergill says there are no plans to move it.
Richard Peck on Friday, February 22 2013:
Semper Fi!!!
Stephanie Joyce on Friday, February 22 2013:
@JohnAdams Thanks for the points of clarification. You are right on both counts.
John Adams on Friday, February 22 2013:
Agree with BrianUnAK about the need for large response tug on standby in the Aleutians, and a vessel stalled in the North Pacific Great Circle route's busiest intersection suggests Unalaska would be her best home port.
Glad you're doing this reporting, Stephanie, and guessing some of your interviews are over the phone. LT Fothergill wasn't thinking of President James Monroe when he provided the name of the cutter responding. He was referring to the cutter named for Douglas *Munro* who deserves to be better remembered for the rescue of 500 Marines at Guadalcanal. His friend and shipmate Ray Evans also deserved the Medal of Honor for his heroism that day, but Munro remains the only Coast Guardsman to be so recognized.
Why their bravery mattered: the Marines they saved (and the National Guardsmen who reinforced them) were crucial to the defense of the airstrip called Henderson Field the following month. That early turning point in WWII had enormous significance for the defense of Australia and the reversal of the Empire of Japan's advance across the Pacific.
A minor point of clarification for your readers: a class society like Det Norske Veritas does not *insure* ships. Their inspections *ensure* that vessels are in good repair so that insurers can trust the owners' assertions of seaworthiness.
BrianUnAK on Thursday, February 21 2013:
another example of the need for a large sea going tug stationed here.