Unalaska, AK – An 83-foot fishing vessel went aground on the Alaska Peninsula near Chignik on Thursday evening. The wooden-hulled F/V Unimak went aground on a rocky beach near cliffs. The Coast Guard is currently investigating why. The three men aboard the boat abandoned ship into a life raft, were rescued by the F/V Sylvia Star and taken to Chignik. When the Coast Guard flew over the vessel on Friday it was still fully intact and hard aground. Dan Magone was in the area and responded immediately. He and his crew have already removed the diesel out of the day tank, put absorbents into the engine room to prevent pollution, and removed batteries, paint and other potentially hazardous items from the ship. They are staged and ready to pump out the other 800 gallons of fuel and other pollutants, but are currently on weather hold. The area is experiencing gales. Magone reported to the Coast Guard that the waves washed most of the cod from the fishing vessel onto shore. Reportedly bears, sea lions, and gulls are feasting on the bounty.
Unalaska, AK – Students in Unalaska saw the galaxy from a whole new perspective last week - from the inside of a giant inflatable dome. KUCB's Anne Hillman joined their journey into space.
Unalaska, AK – When Unalaska hosted the annual Alaska Historical Society - Museums Alaska joint annual conference last week, community members learned about topics ranging from Aleut art in Russian museums to Russian-American history. KUCB's Anne Hillman spoke with one presenter about Russia's view of Alaska now, 142 years after the sale.
Unalaska, AK – The sailboat The Explorer of Sweden concluded its 9,000 mile nautical journey from Norway to Unalaska on Tuesday through the Northeast passage. Geoff York joined the expedition to observe how the changing sea ice is affecting human settlements and animal populations. KUCB's Anne Hillman spoke with him on board the 57-foot yacht.
Unalaska, AK – Adak Fisheries, the lone fish processing plant in the western Aleutians, officially filed for bankruptcy on September 11. According to court documents, Adak Fisheries owes money to between 100 and 199 different creditors. Independence Bank told the court they alone are owed about $6.5 million from three different loans in 2007, 2008, and 2009. The bank says the lines of credit were issued based on bogus invoices sent by Adak Fisheries and were secured by all of the processing plant's assets, including their equipment and inventory. An email sent from the plant's lawyer to the bank said they plan on selling the equipment to Trident Seafoods or another bidder and eventually liquidating all of their assets. The Fisheries also owes $1.3 million to Aleut Enterprises.
Unalaska, AK – The Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge has a new leader. Steve Delahanti started as the new refuge manager about three weeks ago. He had worked for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for 23 years, most recently in Minnesota, and said at the moment he's just trying to learn about the region and the local ecosystems.
"It's just beautiful and the wildlife abundance is unparallel. And again, because I'm new to Alaska and marine issues, so many things are new to me. It's fascinating with marine mammals and the seabird nesting colonies on Bogoslof, for example. And coming into port here in Unalaska, it's a million dollar view. It's just gorgeous," he said.
Unalaska, AK – The first-ever Unalaska CROP Walk took place over the weekend. Eighteen participants aged 3 to 70 walked 10 kilometers, or about 6 miles, around the community to raise money for the food bank at U-SAFV and for international organizations that feed the hungry. Dan Wilcox organized the walk with other volunteers at the United Methodist Church. He was encouraged by the participation for a first time event.
Unalaska, AK – In the last week of August the City of Unalaska hosted a group of state legislators and government representatives. The Legislative Fly-in cost the city just over $20,500. The food for the guests and the community reception cost $5,300. Accommodations cost more than $4,600. The city only spent $10,000 on airfare because some of the 17 participants were flown in by the state as part of the energy hearing.
Unalaska, AK – The Museum of the Aleutians is hosting the joint annual conference of the Alaska Historical Society and Museums Alaska this week. Over 115 museum professionals, historians, educators, and others will visit the community and attend a lectures and discussions.
"The leading historians, the leading writers, museum professionals, people who have contributed immensely to the history of Alaska and of our region in particular will be coming here and discussing topics that are related to the history of our region," said MOTA director Zoya Johnson.