A fishing vessel sank Tuesday night near Shelter Island, according to the Coast Guard.
Prior to sinking, the three people aboard the 29-foot Mugs C were able to broadcast a mayday call, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a news release. The people were able to abandon ship to an inflatable skiff.
The trio were recovered by the good Samaritan vessel Silvertip, and they were taken to Auke Bay.
Lt. Maren Balke said there were no medical concerns following the incident, and the cause of the sinking appeared to be instability adn water coming over the Mugs C’s gunnels.
The fishing vessel remains sunken off Shelter Island with no sheening or other signs of pollution observed, according to the Coast Guard. However, some minor debris was recovered from the nearby shore.
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Juneau and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, in coordination with other resource agencies, are monitoring the owner’s response to the pollution onboard the vessel, according to the Coast Guard. People should stay clear of the area while salvage and recovery operations continue.
• Contact the Juneau Empire newsroom at (907)308-4895 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com.
