A 25-year-old crewman, Grant Hildreth has been reported missing after falling overboard from the F/V CAPE GRIEG. The tragic accident happened on Thursday in Ugashik Bay, Alaska. Reports indicate the crew of the Cape Grieg tried to save Hildreth by throwing him a flotation device but that Hildreth went under the water and could not be found. The cause of the accident is unknown at this time and is under investigation. Hildreth was not wearing a personal flotation device. Weather at the time of incident was reported to be relatively mild with a strong incoming tide. The Cape Greig is a 175 foot long fish processing vessel owned by F/V BEAGLE LLC and is home ported in Seattle Washington.
Few accidents at sea are not preventable if proper training and safety procedures are followed. It is common safety practice aboard Alaska fishing vessel for crewmen working on the deck of a vessel to wear personal flotation work vests. These vests can save lives, and vessel owners must ensure that safety rules requiring wearing safety vests are enforced. Fishing vessel safety regulations require fishing boat crews to drill and practice in rescue procedures in the event of a man overboard situation. The maritime lawyers at Johnson Beard & Trueb PC represent the families of crewmen who have been injured or killed working at sea; they have offices located in Anchorage and Seattle.