Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Freighter Keeps Going After Sinking Fish Boat

Compiled From Wire Services

A fish-processing vessel collided with a 984-foot container ship and sank in the Bering Sea. All 33 people aboard the boat scrambled into life rafts and were rescued.

The crew of the 198-foot boat was taken aboard another fishing vessel nearby.

Over the Coast Guard’s objections, the Panamanian-flagged container ship resumed its journey instead of returning to Dutch Harbor. The Coast Guard had wanted to question the 20 member-crew to determine how the collision occurred.

“They have refused, saying it would throw them off schedule,” said Coast Guard spokesman Tod Lyons.

The collision Wednesday night happened in clear weather with 6-foot seas and winds up to 23 mph.