Crewmembers of the Coast Guard Cutter Mellon observe the fish processing vessel Steller Sea while waiting for a civilian tug boat service to arrive out of Dutch Harbor. The Steller Sea was left without propulsion or power after a brief engine fire Tuesday night. (Official Coast Guard photo courtesy of CGC Mellon crew)
JUNEAU, Alaska- The Coast Guard responded to a fish processing vessel that caught fire 90 miles north of Dutch Harbor Tuesday night.
The engine room of the 316 foot fishing vessel caught fire for unknown reasons at approximately 10:20 pm, and was extinguished by 11:15 p.m. No injuries have been reported among the 142 person crew.
The Coast Guard North Pacific Search and Rescue Coordination Center received a distress call from the Stellar Sea shortly after the fire broke out and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter (CGC) Mellon to assist.
Currently, the Stellar Sea is without power or propulsion and the CGC Mellon is on scene assessing the situation. The Mellon has taken the Stellar Sea into tow to maintain control of the vessel while waiting for a civilian tug boat service to arrive from Dutch Harbor.
Weather conditions on scene are mild, and the vessel and crew are in no immediate danger.
Source: USCG D17 Public Affairs
