One Dead After Boat Refrigeration Leaks Chemicals

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT
A refrigeration leak aboard a fishing vessel in St. Herman Harbor left one fisherman hospitalized and another dead yesterday.
The Kodiak Police Department and fire and rescue personnel responded to a report of the Freon leak aboard the boat Alpine Cove. Freon is a caustic chemical used to keep refrigeration systems cold on boats and also in some air conditioning systems in cars.
A press release from the police department said five crewmembers were evacuated from the boat and officers provided immediate medical attention until EMS personnel arrived. Two crewmembers were ultimately transported to the hospital where 30-year-old Cody Cecil of Everett, Wash., was pronounced dead.
The other crewmember, 56-year-old Francis Rutten of Snohomish, Wash., is still being treated at Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center for exposure to Freon.
Nearby vessels were evacuated yesterday by harbormaster staff as a precaution to the chemical release.
A preliminary investigation revealed that repair work was being done to the Alpine Cove on Tuesday night, but it is unclear if that work is related to the Freon leak. The incident is still under investigation by the police department and the Marine Safety Detachment of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Arlluk Update: Preliminary Investigation Rules Out Hull Damage

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Brianna Gibbs/KMXT

A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service research vessel is being stored on dry ground today after sinking early Friday morning in St. Herman Harbor. The sunken Arlluk was discovered by the Harbormaster around 3:30 a.m. on Friday. The Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment was notified and personnel arrived on-scene at 3:50 a.m. The wildlife service also contracted Lazy Bay LLC personnel help with refloating the 63-foot vessel.            Larry Bell is the assistant regional director for external affairs for the fish and wildlife service and said the Arlluk was refloated on Saturday.

Arlluk Refloated, Cause of Sinking Still Unknown

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Brianna Gibbs/KMXT

On Saturday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment salvaged a vessel that sank early Friday morning in St. Herman Harbor. The FWS research vessel Arlluk was discovered by the Harbormaster around 3:30 a.m. Upon discovery, a containment boom was deployed around the vessel to minimize pollution.

The Coast Guard MSD was notified and personnel arrived on-scene at 3:50 a.m. The wildlife service contracted Lazy Bay LLC personnel help with refloating the 63-foot vessel.

Petty Officer 3^rd Class Grant DeVyst said the cause of the sinking is still unknown, and the fish and wildlife service is leading the investigation. He said there was reported to be about 1,500 gallons of diesel fuel onboard when the vessel sank.

Bruce Woods is a spokesperson for the wildlife service and said the vessel served as an undercover drug boat before it was purchased by the FWS.