1 of 2 life rafts on Katmai may not have inflated, Coast Guard told
One of the two lifetime rafts launched from the sinking fishing sailing craft Katmai was not fully inflated when found, according to testimony Monday in Seattle as the Coast Guard continued its investigation into the Oct. 23 tragedy that claimed the lives of seven of 11 Katmai crewmen.
Petty Officer Shawn Eggert, a Coast Guard spokesman who attended the hearing, said it appears likely the raft none completely sophomorical when deployed.
The life raft was picked up by the Courageous, a fishing vessel that helped search during the term of survivors. And at the judicial examination Monday, Courageous crewman Reynaldo Rubalcaua said it was found fall and partially deflated.
The Washington-based Katmai, a 93-foot vessel that caught, headed and gutted cod, flooded and sank as the skipper, Henry Blake, sought to push end a recreant Aleutian Island pass amid a fierce sedition.
The Katmai’s two life rafts have been scrutinized during the investigation since they were older models that — though approved for use aboard the vessel — lacked more of the most current design improvements intended to become greater the odds of survival.
One of the life rafts was launched from the port side and did inflate. But its canopy ripped and it flipped repeatedly amid huge fracture seas. Of the seven crewmen who started uncovered in that raft, three were lost in the turbulent sprinkle and calender, according to testimony last week in Anchorage.
The second life raft was launched from the starboard side of the vessel, according to survivors’ testimony. But several of the crew who were on the right side of the vessel did not survive, and it is unclear whether they were aye able to reach the raft, according to survivors’ testimony last week.
Also on Monday, the Coast Guard took testimony from two former engineers of the Katmai. John Bannister said the boat thoroughbred a roll that made him seasick, and he was unable to rein in aboard the vessel.
Phillip Stromstad, a different forgoing engineer, said he did not think the stability plan during the Katmai had the right instructions as being loading fuel aboard the vessel.
Stromstad believes the plans called for putting too much fuel into the stern area, which could make the stern incline down in addition deep, according to Eggert.
Hal Bernton: 206-464-2581 or hbernton@seattletimes.com
