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In August 2022, a 58-foot fishing boat sank off the western shore of San Juan Island, kicking off a complex, lengthy response to prevent additional diesel from spilling out of the sunken vessel, and to eventually raise the boat back to the surface. Now, the Washington Department of Ecology is penalizing Matthew Johnston, the boat's owner, $18,000 for the spilled diesel. Johnston actively participated in cleanup efforts and fully cooperated with Ecology's investigation, the agency said in a news...
The coronavirus pandemic roared into 2022 but vaccinations slowed its spread and the story faded from the public consciousness. Fewer people reported their positive tests and infections. People are still getting infected and hospitalized, however. Skagit Count now over 15,000 COVID-19 cases Jan.12 New COVID-19 hospitalizations swamping county Jan. 26 Indoor mask mandate ends statewide March 21 Feb. 23 Skagit one of 12 state counties with high COVID-19 transmission Jul. 6 New Skagit COVID-19 cases drop dramatically Sep. 7 Wearing masks indoors...
When you read this the fishing vessel Aleutian Isle will be in Mitchell Bay. Plans were to move it there Monday afternoon. The vessel was successfully lifted to the surface Saturday, Sept. 17. Crews worked through that evening to dewater the vessel. Their first efforts removed 250 gallons of waste oil. They next removed any diesel fuel remaining onboard. Throughout the raising process some fuel escaped. The U.S. Coast Guard reported that pollution mitigation strategies were effective. Responders...
By Ken Stern Since last Wednesday, divers contracted with the Washington Department of Ecology or the U.S. Coast Guard made dives to the sunken Aleutian Isle, probably daily, according to posts on Ecology's website. Removing netting has been a primary project to both ensure the divers safety and to prevent fouling when the vessel is lifted. By the end of their shift on Sunday, Sept. 4, the "dive crews finished cutting away free-floating netting from the vessel and securing all remaining entangle...
The Aleutian Isle remains in about 200 feet of water on the west side of San Juan Island near Sunset Point. Monday, Aug. 29, salvaging it was about to begin, after a boat and crew from Global Diving & Salvage arrived Sunday, said Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier, a U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson. He confirmed the 49-foot fishing boat is owned by the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. The barge and crane were secured Sunday, preparing for the 10-day effort to raise the sunken vessel, place it on...
A fishing boat carrying 2,600 gallons of fuel sank off the western shore of San Juan Island on Saturday, releasing an oily sheen that spread for 2 miles in critical habitat for the Northwest's endangered orcas. Researchers called it "incredibly lucky" that the whales and the diesel apparently never crossed paths. The crew aboard the Aleutian Isle radioed for help Saturday, saying they were taking on water. They abandoned their sinking ship and clambered into the skiff they normally use to maneuv...
