Bering Sea ship survivors testify at hearing

SEATTLE – Crew members who survived last month’s sinking of the fishing boat Alaska Ranger in the Bering Sea have told a Seattle hearing that the ship had sailed through rough ice on recent voyages and that crew members and officers drank on board in violation of ship policy.

The trawler took on water in its rudder room and went down March 23. Five people including the captain were killed. The Coast Guard and the Ranger’s sister ship, the Alaska Warrior, rescued 42 crew members.

Federal officials are conducting hearings into the sinking.

Crewman David Hull said Wednesday that the ship’s captain was sometimes overruled by the fish master – the crew member in charge of fishing operations. Another crew member, Ryan Shuck, says he witnessed the ship’s fish master and a previous captain argue about sailing the ship through ice.

All three survivors who testified Wednesday say drinking took place aboard the ship despite a zero-tolerance policy.