Life onboard the United States Coast Guard Cutter Citrus (WLB 300), a 180 ft. ocean-going buoy tender was regular on Monday early morning, 26 February 1979. Citrus was underway, steaming at 12 knots on the north side ofKodiak Island Skies were clear and also the weather condition enjoyable for a February day. At 1734 their globe, nonetheless, would certainly alter considerably.

By very early mid-day Citrus was heading back to Kodiak AK, going back to their homeport to leave an angler whom they had actually saved from a stuck angling vessel. This go back to Kodiak was an unforeseen quit throughout what was an arranged 2 week Aids to Navigation (ATON) objective around Kodiak Island.

At 1630 very early chow was offered for the watch alleviation, and also in the Chief’s mess. Fresh coffee was making on the ship’s bridge, and also the staff remained in excellent spirits. Forty Coasties manned the Citrus, a natural family members that invested months mixed-up with each various other yearly.

At 1700 Citrus was NW of Spruce Island, heading in the direction of Ouzinkie Narrows, a deep network which supplies a route from Kizhuyak Bay to Chiniak Bay and afterwards Women’s Bay and also Kodiak nurture. Kodiak Island has numerous deep however slim networks, as does a lot ofAlaska Sailing in Alaska needs neighborhood understanding, and also recognition of trends & & currents is important. Tidal array around Kodiak is 10-13 feet. Rocks, which are secure to cruise over at high trend, can be deadly at reduced trend.

Coast Pilot # 9 recommends sailors to utilize care transiting Ouzinkie Narrows, keeping in mind currents and also shallows, shoals and also rocks. NOAA graph 16594 has a different insert outlining Ouzinkie Narrows due to its navigational obstacles.

As Citrus came close to the tightens they fulfilled a west bound angling vessel coming with and also consented to a one whistle, port to port, flow. At 1732 both vessels securely passed each various other with a 75-yard certified public accountant. At this moment Citrus was 50 backyards to the right of her designated track. A training course adjustment of 4 levels left was suggested by the Navigator, however not implemented. Sunset would certainly take place at 1734, therefore Citrus’s running lights were invigorated.

At 1734 a brand-new repair was being taken when Citrus’s port side hit a strong rock walk. Steaming at 12 knots this effect tore open Citrus’s hull, permitting the sea to gather, swamping her major hold, completely dry shops, publication, and also staff’s berthing. She was swamping so quickly her staff was particular Citrus would certainly sink right there in the tightens.

Citrus’s Commanding Officer, understanding he had just mins in which to conserve his vessel and also staff, drove Citrus up on the coastline on the south side ofOuzinkie Narrows A distress signal headed out and also promptly various other Coast Guard and also noncombatant vessels pertained to her help. USCGC Storis sortied from Kodiak and also USCGC Sweetbrier cruised from Cordova.

Storis brought up together with Citrus to maintain her from rolling onto her side, and also every pump that can be discovered was established to dewater Citrus’s swamped rooms. Problems was plentiful; P250 pumps obstructed and also stopped working. Suction ranges were expensive, and also prime was shed. Submersible electrical pumps stopped working, because of dripping gaskets, failing in seals and also damaged electric links. Insufficient and also incorrectly sized troubleshooting lumber reduced patching and also repair work. Despite these obstacles and also aggravating problems, Citrus’s staff maintained their ship upright, gradually quiting the flooding, and also conserved their ship.

Why did Citrus struck this rough walk? A mix of little however substantial variables. Her SPS-23 radar was old and also unstable. Ranges and also bearings did not offer precise repairs. Her WW II age gyro had a mistake, and also mistakes were hard to eliminate. Buoy Tenders were not furnished with onward looking or side check finder, just standard deepness sounders, therefore deepness analyses were just helpful after you had actually overlooked an area.

Navigation was frequently carried out by seafarer’s eye, which serves when there suffices details to permit a tricking police officer to make reasoned and also verbalize choices. But in Alaskan waters, understood to have undiscovered rocks, steps, and also risks, seafarer’s eye might not suffice.

I was designated as a deck watch police officer onboard the USCGC Sweetbrier when Citrus based. Sweetbrier supplied pumps & & troubleshooting support to the Citrus, and also I carried out a scuba diving dive at the place where Citrus tore open her hull. I saw the substantial damages done to the rock walk. Citrus’s lower paint covered the whole walk and also busted rocks was plentiful. Kelp had actually been torn from the rocks leaving the walk bare. The damages was substantial, looking like if an excavator and also discover the location.

A succeeding Coast Guard Investigation mentioned “the primary cause of the grounding was the inattention of the Commanding Officer to the safe navigation of his vessel in that he did not fully realize the limitations of his crew and equipment, or, if the did he was not aware of the consequences that could occur as a result of these limitations.”

This verdict is certainly right, however as well simple. Every bridge police officer makes judgments and also choices utilizing minimal & & frequently flawed details. You will hardly ever choose with an assurance of it being 100% right. We utilize our training, our experience, our understanding and also our capability to factor and also believe (to different truth from fiction) to implement our tasks and also obligations. On celebration points fail, or otherwise as prepared. If we check out these occurrences, share understanding discovered and also welcome realities, we can enhance and also avoid various other comparable occurrences.

After Citrus’s basing the Coast Guard developed a brand-new help to navigating at the west entry to Ouzinkie Narrows, Green Buoy # 5, Flashing G 2.5 s, which notes this walk. They likewise outfitted their buoy tenders with brand-new radars, gyros, and also side check onward looking finder. Coast Guard and also industrial vessels currently transportation Ouzinkie Narrows with little concern of striking this as soon as unmarked walk.