With some of the most treacherous ocean conditions in the world, Alaska is no stranger to vessels in distress. That’s why emergency responders in the state are constantly looking for any advantage they can get when it comes to dealing with ships drifting at sea.
After the 712-foot cargo ship Selendang Ayu ran aground near Unalaska in 2004, officials began developing a standard emergency towing system that can be deployed around the state.
It was tried out Wednesday in Juneau for the first time on a cruise ship.
Casey Kelly is a reporter at KTOO in Juneau.
