By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Alaska State Troopers rescued a man from his sinking vessel Saturday afternoon offshore of the 2900 block of Halibut Point Road.
The skipper, Calvin “Mark” Bigelow, 62, was the only person aboard the foundering 40-foot F/V Safari when he was picked up by troopers on the P/V Courage.
Hanson Maritime raised the partially submerged troller Sunday and towed it from near Kasiana Island to Eliason Harbor.
The F/V Safari is tied up at Eliason Harbor this afternoon. The boat became partially submerged near Kasiana Island Saturday. (Sentinel Photo)
Troopers said Bigelow called for help when his vessel started capsizing and was “rapidly sinking” about a quarter mile from the Channel Club, about three and a half miles from town.
The fire hall said a number of witnesses called 911 shortly after 4 p.m. about the vessel in distress. Police officers also responded, going to the shore nearby to offer assistance.
Troopers said in a report on Saturday that the vessel had become unstable in a heavy gust of wind, which caused it to list severely and take on water. (The local FAA logged a gust at 28 mph out of the east at 3:15 p.m.)
The Coast Guard went to the scene to investigate the incident, respond to any fuel spill, and oversee the boat recovery. Bigelow was uninjured, but reported his cat was missing, police said. The Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment said today the cause is still under investigation but that the fact that the Safari was “riding light” may have contributed to its instability.
Fire Chief Dave Miller said a local rescue team was assembled and ready to help, but the troopers said they had the situation under control.
Hanson Maritime Saturday night installed a containment boom, and anchored the vessel to prevent it from drifting, said Ahna Hanson, spokeswoman for Hanson Maritime. Some 300 gallons of diesel and about 200 gallons of oily water were removed from the Safari, and about 100 gallons of fuel was recovered from the area inside the containment boom, she said.
