Chukchi-Sea Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

In a heartbreaking incident that unfolded on March 21, the U.S. Coast Guard has confirmed the identities of two crew members who tragically lost their lives aboard the barge 'Waynehoe'. The victims were identified as 21-year-old Ben Fowler from Sitka and 28-year-old Sidney Mohorovich from Washington State. This accident occurred during operations in McKenzie Inlet, part of Skowl Arm, located on the eastern side of Prince of Wales Island. The Coast Guard is currently undertaking a comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic event, aiming to gain insights that may help prevent future occurrences. Emergency response teams, comprising personnel from both the Coast Guard and the Ketchikan Fire Department, were dispatched after the tugboat crew reported losing contact with four individuals inside a confined space on the barge at 9:14 a.m. on March 15. Rescue efforts were swift, with two crew members successfully recovered and reported as responsive on the same day. However, one crew member was later found deceased, while another tragically succumbed on March 17 after the barge was towed to the Ketchikan area. The Coast Guard coordinated closely with local agencies to ensure a safe approach to the confined space, enlisting assistance from the South Tongass Volunteer Fire Department (STVFD). A paramedic and two EMTs from STVFD accompanied the Coast Guard onto the USCG vessel during the response operations. Following the incident, a vessel from Boyer Towing transported the 'Waynehoe' to Ward Cove, situated north of Ketchikan, while the barge 'Chukchi Sea', owned by Hamilton Marine Construction, was returned to its port in Ketchikan by its owner on March 16. As investigations continue, the focus remains on understanding the accident and enhancing safety protocols in maritime operations.

In a heartbreaking maritime accident, two crew members tragically lost their lives and two others sustained injuries while working in a confined space aboard the freight barge 'Waynehoe,' owned by Hamilton Marine Construction, based in Bellingham, Washington. This tragic event occurred near Ketchikan, Alaska, on March 15, 2026, and has prompted an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard. The incident unfolded about 25 miles northwest of Ketchikan, where four crew members were reported to have been in a confined area of the barge while it was moored near Skowl Arm. A mayday call was received at 9:14 a.m. from the crew of the tug 'Chukchi Sea', indicating they had lost contact with their colleagues. Following this distress call, the Coast Guard dispatched a 45-foot rescue boat from the Ketchikan station, alongside personnel from the South Tongass Volunteer Fire Department. Upon arrival, responders learned that the tug’s crew had already retrieved one deceased man and had assisted two others in escaping the confined quarters. The barge was subsequently towed to a pier in Ward Cove, just north of Ketchikan, to facilitate recovery efforts led by a Boyer towing vessel. In a cooperative multi-agency operation, the second deceased crew member was recovered from the confined space on March 17. The Coast Guard, with the help of partner agencies, managed to access the scene safely to retrieve the crew member. The South Tongass Volunteer Fire Department provided critical support, with a paramedic and two EMTs boarding a Coast Guard vessel to assist in the emergency response. This department plays an essential role in offering limited medical care during Coast Guard search and rescue operations. Sadly, the two men who lost their lives during this incident have been identified as Ben Fowler and Sidney Mohorovich. As authorities continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragic event, the maritime community mourns the loss of the two dedicated crew members. Further updates will come as more information becomes available.