An oil industry supply boat sank near an offshore platform in icy Cook Inlet today after it began taking on water in the early morning hours. The 166-foot Monarch was delivering supplies to the Granite Point platform on the west side of the inlet, north of Nikiski, when ice pinned it against the platform and the vessel began to flood. Coast Guard Public Affairs Officer Sara Francis says the captain and crew were all able to evacuate the Monarch onto the oil platform. Because the boat sank beneath the platform, the crew and seven non-essential platform workers were then flown via helicopter to shore.
Casey Kelly, KBBI – Homer
