The investigation into the sinking of the F/V Katmai is officially over.

The National Transportation Safety Board released their report on the
disaster, and it concluded that the boat had a number of stability
problems that made it unable to withstand extreme storm conditions in
the Bering Sea. As a result, seven lives were lost when the
head-and-gut vessel flooded in 2008.

After suffering a mechanical failure on Friday, the factory trawler Alaska Victory was successfully towed into Captains Bay this weekend.

According to the Coast Guard, the 205-foot fishing vessel experienced trouble with its reduction gear on Friday morning. The Alaska Victory was 17 nautical miles north of Akutan at the time, and it began drifting at a speed of about one knot an hour. A Magone Marine Service tug responded to the situation, and was able to bring the vessel to Unalaska on Saturday. The Alaska Victory ultimately moored at the OSI Dock on Sunday after offloading its catch.

Fishermen heading out tomorrow for the opening of the Bristol Bay red king crab season may not do it again for a few years.  The quota was cut by 47 percent this year, down to 7.8 million pounds.  And some crabbers, like Dewey Hostetler of the Bering Star, are already anticipating the fishery could be closed next season. 

“After seeing the reduction this year over last and seeing what the survey says, it’s a very realistic possibility that we don’t have one next year. For sure, that wouldn’t surprise me one bit. I’d be surprised if we did have one, personally.”

Even though the red king crab season hasn’t opened yet, at least one boat is already getting knocked around by rough weather.

KUCB’s Alexandra Gutierrez has more.

A Fishing Company of Alaska vessel is currently adrift in the Bering Sea.

The Coast Guard received a report of a mechanical failure aboard the 205-foot Alaska Victory early this morning. At the time of the call, the factory trawler was about 17 nautical miles north of Akutan Island, and drifting at a speed of one knot per hour.

According to Petty Officer David Mosley, the Coast Guard is monitoring the situation and Magone Marines Services has sent the tug Double Eagle out to meet the Alaska Victory. He adds that the vessel isn’t at risk of running aground at the moment.

It might be easier to get flights in and out of Unalaska starting in December.

ACE Air Cargo is adding scheduled passenger flights to and from Anchorage on its Beechcraft 1900 Model C.  The plane will hold up to nine passengers each way, and they’re planning on having anywhere between one and four flights a day.

Sherrie Pugh, who does fleet support for Fishing Company of Alaska, says the extra capacity is a relief.

About twenty years ago, it wasn’t uncommon for workers at the Unisea seafood processing plant to get injured on the job. The safety standards were more relaxed, and there wasn’t a culture of prevention.

“Back in the early nineties, it wasn’t uncommon to have an ambulance here once or twice a week,” says Gregg Bishop, who is the head of safety and environmental compliance.

That’s all changed.

The amount of crab that’s available for harvest in the region has been set, and Bristol Bay Red King Crab is seeing big cuts.

The total allowable catch for the fishery has been set at 7.8 million pounds. That’s a 47% drop from last year’s quota.

Meanwhile, the St. Matthew Blue King Crab fishery is seeing a boost. The quota has been set at 2.4 million pounds, up from 1.6 million last year.

Arne Fuglvog has been replaced. Senator Lisa Murkowski announced today that Stefanie Moreland will serve as her new fisheries advisor.

Most recently, Moreland has served as the federal fisheries coordinator for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. She has also worked for the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission.

In addition to advising the senator on fisheries issues, Moreland will also be handling Arctic policy. She is expected to start the job in early November.