KODIAK, Alaska – Coast Guard personnel and contracted responders refloated the 44-foot fishing vessel Abby Louise seven miles southwest of Cordova and towed it to Cordova Harbor Sunday.
Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Valdez personnel monitored operations as responders affected repairs to a three-inch hole in the starboard bow and positioned float bags under the Abby Louise to raise the bow. Once this was complete the Abby Louise was towed about 30 yards toward shore to begin the dewatering process.
The Abby Louise’s fish hold, bow and engineroom were dewatered and at about noon the vessel was floating free with no signs of visible structural damage.
The crew of the 64-foot response vessel Alaskan Pacific took the Abby Louise in a side tow and the crew of the 31-foot response vessel Alena K provided an escort throughout the transit to Cordova Harbor as a safety precaution. The effort was conducted in accordance with the Coast Guard Captain of the Port approved salvage plan.
Coast Guard Sector Anchorage watchstanders maintained a communications schedule with the vessels to ensure a safe voyage to Cordova Harbor. The Abby Louise was moored at the Cordova boat yard at about 4:55 p.m.
Coast Guard MSU Valdez personnel reported no signs of pollution and continue to investigate the cause of the sinking of the Abby Louise. The crew of the good Samaritan vessel Lady Samantha rescued the three crewmen from the Abby Louise while the vessel was sinking Saturday. A Coast Guard rescue helicopter crew was also on hand and had delivered three dewatering pumps.