The Rainier: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

Passing through the Montlake Cut, the "Rainier" contacted the bottom and allided with a concrete wall in the morning of Apr 16, 2018, while passing through Seattle’s Montlake Cut of the Lake Washington Ship Canal. The waterway, between Seattle’s Montlake and University District neighborhoods, connects Lake Washington and Lake Union. The incident — which resulted in damage to one of the ship’s propellers, hull dents and paint scrapes — was under investigation. No injuries were reported. The estimated cost of damage was unknown.

NOAA announced the official launch of its 2015 Arctic hydrographic survey season took place this morning, in Kodiak, Alaska, in a World Ocean Day ceremony which showcased the deployment of the NOAA ships Rainier and Fairweather. “Most Arctic waters that are charted were surveyed with obsolete technology, with some of the information dating back to Captain Cook's voyages, long before the region was part of the United States,” said NOAA deputy under secretary for operations Vice Admiral Michael S. Devany in remarks directed to the crews of NOAA ships. “Your work this summer is a crucial mission in our determination to make the Arctic seas safer for shipping, sustenance and marine life.” NOAA said it will increase its charting activities in the Arctic to help ensure safe navigation as growing vessel traffic is anticipated in the region. More at http://www.marinetechnologynews.com/news/deploys-survey-ships-arctic-515705

A fuel spill in Kodiak Island’s Womens Bay has been traced to the "Rainier" of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Sep 8, 2014. The spill was estimated at 1,640 gallons. The "Rainier" was docked at Nyman Peninsula on the Kodiak Coast Guard base. The NOAA was working with the Coast Guard to minimize environmental impacts. The incident was being investigated. The spill was caused by a rupture in the vessel’s bulkhead between a fuel tank and a water tank. Absorbent booms and a fuel skimmer have been employed at the site.