Coast Guard Racing To Rescue Seattle-Based Ship In Gulf Of Alaska

The Coast Guard is rushing to rescue 204 fishermen who are on a processing ship that lost power in the Gulf of Alaska Monday and is drifting aimlessly in high seas and strong winds. The Coast Guard received a report Monday morning from crewmembers aboard the Seattle-based processor Independence that they had an engineering problem with one of the ship's three rudders. Later in the day, a crewmember reported that the ship's steering had failed as well, leaving the ship adrift about 95 miles south of Kayak Island, which is 62 miles southeast of Cordova, Alaska. Weather conditions at the ship's location are 50-60 knot winds with 20-foot seas. Two Coast Guard Cutters, the Storis and Morgenthau, are en route to the ship, as is a C-130 aircraft. There are no reports of any injuries on board the Independence. Processing Ship Independence ~*~

Coast Guard Cutters Storis and Morgenthau