The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:
(SEATTLE) — The U.S. Coast Guard will hold a media briefing to release the Report of Investigation, into the sinking of the fish processing vessel Alaska Ranger, on Jan. 12, 2011, at the Jackson Federal Building’s Eagle Room, located on the 2nd floor, at 1:30 p.m.
Capt. John P. Nadeau, Chairman of the Marine Board of Investigation into the sinking of the Alaskan Ranger, will meet with the media to present a brief of the Report of Investigation and answer any questions concerning the investigation.
The Alaska Ranger was 130 miles west of Dutch Harbor, Ak., when the rudder room’s high bilge water alarm sounded. The Coast Guard was notified and responded with the 378-foot Coast Guard Cutter Munro, an HC-130 aircraft, and two helicopters: an HH-60 Jayhawk and an HH-65 Dolphin. The fish processing vessel Alaska Warrior heard the distress call and changed course to assist. 42 of the 47 crewmembers were recovered alive. Four crewmembers were recovered deceased, and one was never found and is presumed deceased.
The National Transportation Safety Board participated fully in the Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation that was convened immediately after the sinking. With assistance from the Coast Guard, the NTSB conducted its own investigation and released a separate accident report on September 30, 2009. The NTSB report concluded that probable cause of the sinking of the Alaska Ranger was uncontrolled, progressive flooding due to a lack of internal watertight integrity. The NTSB attributed such flooding to a breach of the hull’s watertight envelope, likely caused by the physical loss of a rudder.
WHO: U.S. Coast Guard, Capt. John P. Nadeau, Chairman of the Marine Board of Investigation.
WHAT: Media briefing to release the Report of Investigation into the sinking of the fish processing vessel Alaskan Ranger.
WHERE: Seattle, Wash., Jackson Federal Building, Eagle Room, 2nd Floor, south side cafeteria seating area.
WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011, at 1:30 p.m.
Media wishing to attend will need to bring media credentials to enter the Federal Building, and should arrive and be setup no later than 1:15 p.m.
