On December 19, 2015, about 1810 local time, the US-flag fish-processing vessel Gordon Jensen, en route from Seattle, Washington, to Dutch Harbor, Alaska, grounded in Canadian waters near the town of Bella Bella, British Columbia, about 250 nm northwest of Vancouver, Canada. As a result of the grounding, the forward-most portside ballast tank was breached, costing $583,376 in repairs. There were 165 persons aboard the vessel. No injuries or pollution were reported.
The probable cause of the grounding of fish-processing vessel Gordon Jensen was the combined effects of prescription pain medication, over-the-counter cold medication, alcohol, and sleep deprivation, which led to the master's impaired cognitive performance, preventing him from recognizing that he could not effectively perform the duties and responsibilities of master.
