Crews work to save ferry in Alaska

By The Associated Press

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Divers yesterday found a second 30-foot gouge on the starboard side of the V-shaped hull, roughly matching a similar hole found by divers Monday night on the port side.

The holes near the keel are up to a foot wide. Five compartments were breached.

"I imagine they're going to find some additional damage on the starboard side," said Coast Guard spokesman Lt. j.g. Dan Buchsbaum.

The breached compartments include the bow thruster room and the sewage room.

Salvagers will continue today to assess the damage from the 235-foot LeConte's encounter with Cozian Reef near the northern tip of Baranof Island.

The LeConte, en route from Angoon to Sitka in Southeast Alaska, struck the reef about 9:55 a.m. Monday and was reported hard aground. The vessel took on water, forcing the evacuation of 86 passengers and 23 crew members. Three people were taken to Sitka for medical treatment.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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