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QDXWLFDO PLOHV IURP &RDVW; *XDUG &2067$ Kodiak and the closest communication Hi-Sites were ORFDWHG LQ &ROG; %D\ D FLW\ LQ $OHXWLDQ ,VODQGV (DVW Borough, Alaska, and Attu Island, the largest and westernmost island in the Near Islands group of the Aleutian Islands. The captain's testimony indicated that one of the ves- sel's small radio antennas may have been damaged by a bird strike, and it was unknown to what extent the damage affected communications. However, he was able to communicate with other vessels via VHF radio earlier in the day on October 21. $V UHTXLUHG E\ &)5 3DUW WR D WKH ÀVKLQJ vessel had a radiotelephone that broadcasted in the KLJK IUHTXHQF\ UDQJH RI 0+] 3ULRU WR WKH vessel sinking, distress calls had been sent on two dif- ferent frequencies. Due to the vessel's remote location ZKLOH WUDQVLWLQJ WKH $PFKLWND 3DVV LQ WKH $OHXWLDQ Islands, several calls for help failed and the vessel was OHIW ÁRXQGHULQJ LQ WKH IULJLG VHDV The casualty occurred at night, which effectively GHFUHDVHG WKH UDQJH RI WKH 66% WUDQVPLVVLRQV &RDVW; *XDUG &2067$ .RGLDN KDG UHFHLYHG RQH XQLGHQWL- ÀHG 0D\GD\ DW WKH DSSUR[LPDWH WLPH WKH YHVVHO VDQN WKDW WKH FDSWDLQ FRQÀUPHG ZDV KLV YRLFH +H VHQW GLV- WUHVV FDOOV XVLQJ WZR IUHTXHQFLHV WKH ÀUVW RI ZKLFK had an estimated range of 1,000 miles and may not KDYH VXFFHVVIXOO\ UHDFKHG &2067$ .RGLDN 7KH latter, with an estimated range of 1,500 miles, was OLNHO\ WKH FDOO KHDUG E\ WKH &RDVW; *XDUG EXW IDLOHG to include the vessel's name, location, or the nature of the distress. Lessons Learned ☑ ☑ ☑ ☑ ☑ ☑ ☑ ☑ ☑ ☑. Upon the conclusion of the review of the record and report of the casualty, it was determined that the pri- mary casual factors leading to the casualty were: • LUUHVSRQVLEOH YR\DJH SODQQLQJ FRQVLGHULQJ WKH forecasted weather conditions, • IDLOXUH WR PDLQWDLQ ZDWHUWLJKW ERXQGDULHV • RYHUORDGLQJ RI WKH YHVVHO·V FDUJR KROG • H[SRVXUH WR KHDY\ ZLQG DQG KLJK VHDV 8QIRUWXQDWHO\ FRPPHUFLDO ÀVKLQJ FRQWLQXHV WR UDQN as one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States. :KLOH WKH &RDVW; *XDUG DQG LWV ÀVKLQJ LQGXVWU\ SDUW- QHUV FRQWLQXH LQ WKHLU HIIRUWV WR LPSURYH ÀVKLQJ YHV- VHO VDIHW\ UHFRUGV VKRZ WKDW ÀVKLQJ YHVVHO FDVXDOWLHV account for more than 40 percent of the most serious incidents of major marine casualties. It is hoped that through promulgation of vessel casualty reports and via continuing efforts, this number will decrease. Acknowledgments: Proceedings gratefully acknowledges Marine Board of Investi- JDWLRQ PHPEHUV &'5 0DOFROP 0F/HOODQ /&'5 6FRWW :KLWH DQG /7 0LFKDHO %HQVRQ DQG DSSUHFLDWHV VXSSRUW IURP &$37 'DYLG )LVK 0U 7LP )DUOH\ DQG 0U .HQ 2OVHQ 8 6 &RDVW; *XDUG 2IÀFH RI ,QYHVWLJDWLRQV DQG &DVXDOW;\ $QDO\VLV DQG 0U Jack Kemerer, chief, Fishing Vessel Safety Division. About the author: Ms. Krista Reddington most recently worked as a technical writer in WKH 2IÀFH RI 6WDQGDUGV DQG (YDOXDWLRQ DW 8 6 &RDVW; *XDUG KHDG- TXDUWHUV %HIRUH ZULWLQJ IRU WKH &RDVW; *XDUG VKH ZDV D JRYHUQPHQW affairs associate for the American Waterways Operators. www.uscg.mil/proceedings Spring 2012 Proceedings 77