ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The motor vessel Golden Seas departed Dutch Harbor en route to the United Arab Emirates at 9:45 a.m. Monday after successful engine tests were conducted.
The Coast Guard placed a deficiency report on the vessel’s engine Dec. 8 requiring third party certification of repairs. At-sea tests were conducted Monday after the Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment in Dutch Harbor received certification that repairs had been made to the Golden Seas’ engine Sunday.
The Golden Seas experienced a turbo-charger failure Dec. 3 reducing the vessel’s power, setting it adrift in 30-foot seas toward the Aleutian Island of Atka. Within 24 miles of the island winds and seas abated allowing the Golden Seas to regain enough power to steer away from Atka Island.
The Tor Viking II and the Coast Guard Cutters Alex Haley and Spar were dispatched from Dutch Harbor and Kodiak to assist the Golden Seas. The Tor Viking II and the Alex Haley traveled more than 400 miles one way, while Coast Guard helicopters traveled more than 600 miles to be in position to rescue the 20 vessel crewmembers if needed.
“Allseas Marine is extremely grateful for the assistance the U.S. Coast Guard, Alaska’s Department of Environmental Conservation and the crew of the Tor Viking II provided to the crew of the Golden Seas,” said Darrell Wilson, Allseas Marine spokesperson. “We are also extremely grateful for the professionalism displayed by the ship’s crew in expertly maneuvering the ship away from danger, during a winter Alaskan storm with strong winds and high seas.”
