Coast Guard: Arctic Rose sank quickly with door open

The Associated Press

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive

The 92-foot fish catcher-processor sank April 2, 2001, with the loss of all 15 people on board, the worst loss of life on a U.S. fishing vessel in half a century. No mayday was heard and only one body, that of the skipper, David E. Rundall, 34, was recovered.

The report repeats the findings made by a naval architect and investigator that were released in October. It says that the boat could have capsized in less than 2 minutes and sank in 4 minutes.

The Arctic Rose was owned by Arctic Sole Seafoods of Lynnwood. Former crew members testified at a Coast Guard board of inquiry that a door on the lower deck was routinely left propped open to ventilate the processing area.

An underwater camera that filmed the wreck on the sea floor verified that the hatch was still open.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company