SEATTLE — A commercial fishing boat that sank west of San Juan Island is expected to be raised later this week, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
A barge and crane were being transported from Seattle to San Juan Island to assist in raising the vessel, the Coast Guard said in a press release.
The hope is that the 49-foot Aleutian Isle will be lifted off its resting place at about 210 feet deep sometime this week, said a spokesperson at the 13th District Pacific Northwest office in Seattle.
Because of the depth of the wreck, divers are required to use specialized gas mixtures which are currently being produced, according to the Coast Guard, which added that once it is mixed, the gas must settle and be tested for proportionality, and then shipped to the San Juan Island team.
When all equipment has been received, then removal operations can begin.
The Aleutian Isle sank on Aug. 13. All those aboard were rescued without harm. The cause remained unknown as of Tuesday.
Daily overflights have found the amount of sheening from diesel vented from the fuel tanks remains minimal, the Coast Guard reported.
More absorbent boom has been laid along both sides of White Point Peninsula to protect wildlife. A this point, the total amount of boom laid down is at 4,300 feet, the Coast Guard said.
Cross-border training with Canada’s Marine Mammal Unit is scheduled for Thursday. This team will be used to deter marine wildlife from the area should the need arise.
Canadian crews, along with Port Angeles crews, also are assisting with overflights.
The Coast Guard cutter Wahoo is remaining on the site to assist with monitoring the boat.
Safety zones extend 1,000 yards around all responding boats. Crews on scene can be contacted directly on VHF marine-band radio channel 16.
For updates, see the state Department of Ecology at ecology.wa.gov.
