Marine Accident Report--Commercial Fishing Vessel ARLON Capsized in the Pacific Ocean While Being Towed by a Coast Guard Motor Lifeboat Near Grays Harbor, Westport, Washington, July 3, 1980

摘要

About 0518 P.d.t. on July 3, 1980, the F/V ARLON capsized in the Pacific Ocean about 13 miles offshore from Grays Harbor, Westport, Washington. The ARLON's salt water pump had failed, and the vessel was being towed to Grays Harbor by a 44-foot Coast Guard motor lifeboat (MLB). After being towed for over 3 hours, the ARLON veered off sharply from the direction of towing and heeled sufficiently to port for seas to enter into its below-deck compartments. As a result, the ARLON capsized. One crewman received minor injuries; however, all five persons on board the ARLON were rescued by the MLB and transported safely ashore. The ARLON washed up on the rocks several hours later and broke up. The loss of the vessel and its cargo was estimated at $212,000. The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the accident was the flooding and capsizing of the ARLON resulting from an unsuitable towing arrangement undertaken by the coxswain of the Coast Guard MLB and the operator of the ARLON.