As of early May, an investigation was continuing into an April 8 fire that occurred aboard Trident Seafoods’ Kodiak Enterprise while the 276-foot fishing vessel was moored in the Hylebos Waterway in Tacoma, Wash.
The Kodiak Enterprise had returned to Tacoma in late March on the heels of the groundfish A season and was there for maintenance.
In a statement released at the time by Trident Seafoods, in response to a request from Tacoma television station KIRO 7, company officials said that they did not know the cause of the fire, were cooperating with the investigation and would conduct a thorough review of shipyard maintenance safety protocols with internal and external experts.
At the time the fire began, the Kodiak Enterprise was reported to have an estimated 55,000 gallons of diesel and 19,000 pounds of freon onboard.
A Unified Command composed of the Tacoma Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound, Washington Department of Ecology and Puyallup Tribe of Indians, plus several other agencies, has completed its work now that the diesel remaining aboard the vessel has been successfully removed, with no fuel spilled or sheening observed during defueling operations, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
Prior to that, responders alternated between removing fuel and pockets of water to maintain vessel stability.
Incident commanders expressed gratitude that the fuel transfer was efficient, with no diesel released, as well as no loss of life.
Trident Seafoods CEO Joe Bundrant said his company was thankful for the support and collaboration of all agencies and parties in fighting the fire and stabilizing the vessel.
“The Kodiak Enterprise is more than just a fishing vessel to the Trident family, especially to her crew,” he said.
In February 2021, the Trident Seafoods vessel Aleutian Falcon caught fire while moored in the same location, causing an oil spill in Commencement Bay, leading to a $25,000 fine from the Washington Department of Ecology.