SEATTLE — The Coast Guard escorted a fishing vessel that was severely listing and in danger of capsizing approximately two miles south of the Columbia River entrance early Monday.
The 53-foot steel hulled fishing vessel Ashlyne crew made a mayday call to the Coast Guard after the vessel began listing for unknown reasons. The crew then reported their 70,000 pound catch of fish had shifted in the fish hold, causing further listing and reduction in vessel stability as the Ashlyne attempted to return to port.
A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew out of Coast Guard Air Station Astoria, Ore., and a 47-foot motor lifeboat out of Coast Guard Station Cape Disappointment, Wash., deployed to escort the vessel back to Ilwaco, Wash. The on-board pumps were able to keep up with flooding in the fish hold throughout the transit.
Ashlyne is home ported in Warrenton, Ore. No injuries were reported among the four man crew. Sea conditions were eight to 12 foot swells.
The Coast Guard has issued a captain of the port order restricting the Ashlyne from further movement until it is examined by Coast Guard marine inspectors, the cause of the flooding and loss of stability are determined and all repairs are made.
