Reviews & Ratings for the Arctic-Sea

Salvage operations for the fishing vessel 'Arctic Sea' have been significantly obstructed by harsh weather conditions near St. George Island as of January 5. The Alaska state-contracted salvage ship 'Makushin Bay' (IMO: 5376208) was deployed to evaluate the site of the wreck and initiate fuel removal, but faced difficulties anchoring and launching support boats due to winds reaching 30 to 45 knots alongside tumultuous sea conditions noted on January 20. Despite these challenging circumstances, salvage teams successfully boarded the vessel and discovered that its bow was largely submerged, with the decks nearly covered by water. For further details, refer to the report including images: https://www.intrafish.com/fisheries/salvage-efforts-for-alaska-fishing-vessel-remain-severely-hampered/2-1-1932073.

Salvage efforts for the 'Arctic Sea', which ran aground while carrying a substantial cargo including 11,000 pounds of crab and 50,000 gallons of diesel, are facing significant delays due to severe winter weather. The vessel, located in a sensitive coastal area near St. George, has become a concern for local authorities as it begins leaking diesel fuel, with reports indicating a slick extending up to eight miles in length. Salvors from Resolve Marine have been unable to approach the site for necessary pollution mitigation measures. With the current conditions, it may take until spring for any meaningful progress on the salvage operation to occur. As conservation remains a priority, state officials are actively monitoring the situation to address potential environmental impacts. For further details and updates, visit the full report with images here: https://maritime-executive.com/article/wrecked-crab-boat-spills-diesel-off-st-george.

On January 8, Alaskan authorities raised alarms after identifying an oil spill adjacent to the grounded fishing vessel 'Arctic Sea'. Environmental officials in Alaska indicated that the likely source of the spill was the significant quantity of diesel fuel onboard, totaling approximately 50,000 gallons. In addition, the vessel was found to be carrying 2,000 gallons of lube oil and hydraulic fluids, exacerbating the environmental concerns. Currently, there is no accurate assessment of the volume of oil that has leaked into the surrounding waters. The situation is particularly alarming given that significant wildlife habitats, including sea lion and seal rookeries, are located just two miles west of the spill site. Experts fear that the spill could have severe consequences for local ecosystems. Inside the hold of 'Arctic Sea' were 11,000 pounds of tanner crab, which can release harmful toxins and bacteria capable of contaminating the water and endangering crab populations in the vicinity. Additionally, St. George Island, recognized as a rat-free sanctuary, faces potential threats should any rodents have been present on 'Arctic Sea' during the incident. There are worries that these pests could reach the shore and adversely affect the ground-nesting birds and other wildlife unique to the island. In response to this environmental crisis, Resolve Marine has been contracted to undertake salvage operations aimed at removing the hazardous fuel and oil from the ship, thus mitigating the risks of further pollution. However, adverse weather conditions might delay these critical operations for several months. For more visual coverage, view the incident report here: [YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=132&v=fTGAlzdkMjM&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fshipwrecklog.com%2F&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE).

In a dramatic rescue operation on January 5, 2026, the fishing vessel 'Arctic Sea' found itself in dire straits as it ran aground off the northern coastline of St. George Island, Alaska. The vessel, which was making its way from Dutch Harbor to Seattle, had nine crew members on board along with several thousand pounds of fish when it encountered gale force winds in the Bering Sea. At around 4:11 a.m., the crew of the 'Arctic Sea' issued a distress signal as they battled worsening conditions, including towering swells of 10 to 20 feet and fierce wind gusts reaching 65 knots. In preparation for a possible evacuation, the crew donned survival suits and prepared a life raft while the fishing vessel remained stranded a few hundred feet from the high cliffs of the island, suffering hull damage and water ingress. Responding swiftly to the crisis, another fishing vessel, the 'North Sea' (IMO: 7915905), approached to assist. However, challenging weather conditions, including 50-knot winds and 10-foot seas, hindered its ability to get closer. The United States Coast Guard sprang into action, dispatching an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Cold Bay alongside an HC-130 Super Hercules from Kodiak. Additionally, the Coast Guard cutter 'Alex Haley-WMEC-39' (MMSI: 338945000) was diverted to the scene. The MH-60 helicopter successfully hoisted all nine crew members to safety upon arrival at 11:30 a.m. They were promptly flown to St. Paul Island, where medical personnel greeted them, confirming no injuries. In the aftermath, Resolve Marine has been contracted to handle the salvage operations of the stranded 'Arctic Sea'. For further updates and video footage of the rescue operation, check the official reports linked here: [U.S. Coast Guard](https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4371291/coast-guard-rescues-9-people-near-st-george-island-alaska/) and [Alaska News Source](https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/01/06/severe-weather-leaves-vessel-9-people-stranded-forces-coast-guard-rescue/).