Stranded freighter towed safely to port; crews working on engines
Posted: Tuesday, January 23, 2001
UNALASKA (AP) -- Repair crews were hoping to complete engine repairs by Wednesday on a bulk freighter that lost power and began drifting in the Bering Sea last week.
The 595-foot Alam Selaris was towed safely into port here Saturday.
The Malaysian-flagged vessel was en route from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Japan with a load of grain when it ran into trouble.
The Coast Guard cutter Alex Haley, a former Navy tug, was diverted to assist. The Haley began towing the freighter toward Dutch Harbor, and then provided escort when a commercial tug arrived to finish the job.
Inspectors from the U.S. Coast Guard's Marine Safety Office at Unalaska will have to certify the repairs before the vessel and its 23-member crew can continue their trip.