LUTHERAN QUILTERS – Members of the Quilts for Comfort Group stand between pews draped with some of the 205 quilts they made, in the Sitka Lutheran Church Tuesday. The group made the quilts for five local non-profits and one in Anchorage. The remaining quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief which  distributes them to places around the world in need, such as Ukraine, as part of Personal Care Kits. Pictured are, from left, Helen Cunningham, Kathleen Brandt,Vicki Swanson, Paulla Hardy, Kim Hunter, Linda Swanson and Sue Fleming.  (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)

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Daily Sitka Sentinel

Local Fishing Groups Exchange Accusations

By TOM HESSE
Sentinel Staff Writer
    Exchanges of complaints between charter and commercial fishing groups for interfering with each others’ operations are being investigated for possible rule violations, Coast Guard officials said today.
    Mike Wortman, supervisor for the Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment, said he’s fielding a higher volume of complaints in the last few weeks for incidents between vessels, primarily in the Cape Edgecumbe area. The Coast Guard issued a news release earlier this week alerting boaters to the issue.
    “The complaints have increased. That’s why we’re trying to do what we can to get the word out,” Wortman said.
    The 15 complaints Wortman is currently investigating have been aimed at both charter and commercial operators for violating navigation rules. Commercial users have filed complaints that charter boats are anchoring in the pathway of an underway vessel while other vessels have been accused of violating rules regarding actions to prevent vessel collisions. Cape Edgecumbe is a popular area for troll fishing as well as an area where charter fishermen will anchor to allow clients to fish from a fixed position.
    “I basically got a bunch of reports from locals on both sides,” Wortman said.
    He is investigating the events individually. More than a dozen separate rules relate to some of the cases, with navigation rules and negligent operations involved in the brunt of the complaints. Penalties, Wortman said, can range from fines to loss of a license.
    “We can look at taking a license away depending at the severity of the violation,” he said.
    A press release issued earlier this week asked for mariners anchoring in places without published anchorage to be mindful of the rules for doing so. All mariners are reminded to show an anchoring dayshape between sunrise and sunset. The dayshape consists of a black ball shown where it will be seen best by other vessels. The day shape must be at least 23.6 inches in diameter. Vessels under 65’6” may show a smaller ball.
    These complaints are nothing new to the Coast Guard. Wortman said complaints such as these are an ongoing issue but he is seeing more complaints now as he is “knee deep” in files.
    “I think that they realize that if they report it then we’re going to take some action. I have gotten more than I expected to, that’s for sure,” he said. 
    The Southeast Alaska summer troll fishery opened at 12:01 a.m. this morning for a three-day run of king salmon fishing. The opening is scheduled to close at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday.

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20 YEARS AGO

March 2004

Advertisement: Tea-Licious Tea House & Bakery 315 Lincoln Street Grand Opening! Freshly Baked Scones, Cakes & Pastries Innovative Salads, Soups & Sandwiches Harney & Sons Tea. Lunch * Afternoon Tea * Supper.

50 YEARS AGO

March 1974

Photo caption: National Republican Chairman George Bush takes a drink of water offered by Jan Craddick, Sitka delegate, during the Republican convention held here. Mrs. Craddick explained to Bush that the water was from Indian River, which means, according to local legend, that he will return.

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