By National Fisherman Staff, January 23, 2024

A major fire raced across the Ilwaco Landing dock at the mouth of the Columbia River in Washington State Monday, blanketing the area in smoke and reportedly destroying crab traps staged for a Dungeness crab season opener on Feb. 1.

Local news media reported the fire erupted around 11 a.m. and spread rapidly, drawing a widespread emergency response and advice from authorities for residents to stay indoors and avoid hazardous smoke from the fire. 

Firefighters continued working into the evening to confine the blaze at the dock and processing plant, owned by Starlight One LLC, into the evening Monday. Damage reports were incomplete, but in a posting on Facebook, the Newport Fishermen’s Wives group warned consequences could be dire: 

“Today, Oregon’s North Coast fleet has taken a huge hit! A large fish plant in Illwaco, Wash., had a tragic fire that also destroyed 1000s of crab gear that was staged and rigged to finally start their crab season. This is a potential disaster for some.”

The Chinook Observer reported that the landing – where parts of the timber structure dated to the late 19^th century – had collapsed after the fire consumed traps on the dock. Fishermen and plant workers had staged the gear for start of the season’s pre-soak Jan. 29.

Pacific County Emergency Management Agency Director Scott McDougall told the Observer that “at this point I do not believe that the [Washington State Department of Ecology] is planning any response out here. Mostly what was in the water was woody debris and is probably going to have some creosote on it but there is not a huge [concern], at this point.”

In a statement Monday, Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said the fire “has caused significant damages to the Ilwaco Landing.”

“Thank you to the brave firefighters and first responders on the scene at the Port of Ilwaco. This is devastating news for the entire community, and I am continuing to monitor the situation closely. The waterfront is the heart of Ilwaco and the local economy. My prayers are with the entire community, including the cannery workers and fishing families who rely on the docks for their livelihoods.”

By Carli Stewart, National Fisherman, January 21, 2024

The Tara Lynn II ran aground early Saturday morning during the second storm that hit the Maine coast this past week. David Osier, owner of the vessel and Osier Seafood in South Bristol, says that one of the crew members fell asleep after turning on the autopilot.

According to Osier, there was a bridge alarm installed onboard the Tara Lynn II to keep the crew alert and ensure that whoever was on watch would not fall asleep. From what they can tell, the alarm wasn’t turned on. “Supposedly the crew member piloting the ship fell asleep at the wheel and then just went straight into the beach,” Osier told local media.

“Operator error is the cause of this accident.”

The four people aboard the 50-foot vessel were not injured and were rescued by skiff via the Wet Team of the Cape Elizabeth Fire Department shortly after the Mayday call went out to the U.S. Coast Guard at 12:30 a.m. There was a NOAA Fisheries observer aboard in addition to the crew and captain.

This vessel is one of the four boats in the commercial fishing fleet owned by Osier Seafood and was on its way into port within Portland Harbor after a groundfish trip. The Tara Lynn was only moving at four knots when it struck the beach; the damage was minimal when it initially ran aground. However, the storm made it impossible to tow the boat off the beach at high tide later that day, creating significant damage to the boat’s hull.

Approximately 500 gallons of fuel were discharged, as well as nearly 5,000 pounds of fish from the Tara Lynn II. The insurance company for the boat hired Determination Marine, owned by Parker Poole of Portland, ME, to clean up the wreck. Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Coast Guard have been working with Poole to ensure there is no lasting damage.

After days of working with private property landowners and the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust, Poole and a crew were able to start picking up the debris scattered across Trundy Point.

Poole was in preparation mode for the second oncoming storm that week changing fuel filters on his boat New Ledge when the Mayday call came through, “I heard the radio a little past midnight, and was underway within 10 minutes.” Poole shared.

“I was first on the scene of the wreck, but with the winds already picking up, there was no way to get alongside the vessel. The Cape Elizabeth Wet Team did an amazing job getting the crew safely off the boat.”

Throughout the storm, the 45-knot winds and six-foot waves battered the vessel and ran it further up the beach and into the rocks. Poole drafted a full salvage plan for the vessel, which was then reviewed and approved by everyone involved before work could begin.

“Thanks to Scott Dugas Trucking & Excavating, and Material Handling Sales both out of Yarmouth, ME, the vessel should be cleaned up by mid-next week, and the affected property should be in better condition than before.” Poole shared.

“At the end of the day, we are lucky that no one got hurt, and there was a minimal impact on the environment.”

The Tara Lynn II hasn’t been the only incident along the Maine coast, and many fishing communities are struggling to pick up pieces of gear and further damage done from back-to-back storms. Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association and the Island Institute have further information on resources to report damages as well as grant programs to offer urgent financial relief. You can donate here.

“It’s been a busy couple of weeks with back-to-back storms within three days of each other. The Maine coast took it hard, and the community will be busy repairing the coastal infrastructure one project at a time.” Poole mentioned.