Northern-Jaeger Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

On August 8, 2020, the United States Coast Guard's Air Station Kodiak performed a critical medevac operation approximately 200 miles northwest of St. Paul, Alaska. A distress call was placed by the captain of the fishing factory vessel 'Northern Jaeger' regarding a 22-year-old female crew member suffering from serious pregnancy-related medical complications. Responding to the emergency, the District 17 Command Center activated an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew, who successfully hoisted the patient and transported her to Cold Bay by 2:30 p.m. Upon arrival, she was immediately handed over to a LifeMed flight team for further care. The operation was bolstered by an HC-130J Super Hercules aircraft from Air Station Kodiak, which provided vital support throughout the medevac process, ensuring the rapid and safe transfer of the woman to a facility equipped for higher-level medical treatment.

In a concerning development, 25 crew members aboard two American Seafoods trawlers, 'American Triumph' and 'Northern Jaeger,' have tested positive for COVID-19. This announcement came from the Whatcom County Health Department on the evening of June 4, 2020. Following the confirmed cases, the affected crew will be isolated at a designated quarantine facility located on Byron Avenue in Bellingham. The testing of the crew was initially prompted by a precautionary measure as both vessels docked in Bellingham on June 3 to offload their catch. Prior to this, on May 28, 86 crew members from another vessel, the 'American Dynasty,' had already tested positive for the virus after arriving in Bellingham. Among these, one crew member required hospitalization at St. Joseph Hospital, while the remaining crew members were asymptomatic and remained onboard during the vessel's time in port. The 'American Dynasty' has since returned to the Port of Seattle, where it is currently under quarantine, ensuring that the crew has access to any necessary medical care. In response to these developments, American Seafoods has implemented preparedness procedures aimed at addressing any potential virus outbreaks. Thorough screenings and tests were conducted by the University of Washington prior to crew members boarding the vessels. The Whatcom County Health Department is working in tandem with Whatcom Unified Command—a coalition of local government agencies managing the pandemic response—and the Washington State Department of Health to coordinate efforts aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19. Safety protocols are a priority as maritime operations continue.