NOAA Fisheries News Releases
NEWS RELEASE
October 2, 2000
Carol Tocco, Public Affairs NMFS
(907) 586-7032
SEIZED FISHING VESSEL TO BE SOLD BY UNITED STATES
The F/V ARCTIC WIND, seized in May for illegal high seas driftnet fishing, will be sold by public auction, announced NOAA's Office of General Counsel and National Marine Fisheries Service. The formerly Korean-owned 125 foot vessel with its furniture, electronics and related equipment will be sold by public auction on October 16 at 2:00 p.m. NOAA will also be accepting sealed bids for the vessel.
The sale will be held at the United States District Courthouse, 222 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska, room 135. Further information concerning the ARCTIC WIND, including the complete Notice of Public Auction, photographs and a recent condition and valuation survey, can be found at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/.
Interested parties may contact Joseph McCabe, Paralegal Specialist, NOAA General Counsel at (907) 586-7414, ext. 33 or joe.mccabe@noaa.gov for more information concerning the auction and to receive a sealed bid package, which will include the necessary forms and instructions to submit a sealed bid. NOAA will accept only sealed bids that have been submitted pursuant to the information and directions contained in the package. The vessel will be sold to the highest and best bidder. Minimum starting bid for the vessel is $70,000.
The ARCTIC WIND is located in Seward, Alaska. Stephen Meyer, the Special Agent in Charge of NOAA Fisheries' Alaska Enforcement Division, is the duly appointed and acting custodian of the vessel. Interested persons may arrange with Meyer to board, inspect, examine or survey the vessel on a business day during daylight hours, prior to the day of the sale. Any such boarding and inspection shall be done at the sole expense and risk of the person making the inspection. Meyer can be reached at (907) 586-7225.
Under current documentation regulations, forfeited vessels may be eligible for U.S. Certificate of Documentation and/or a fishery endorsement provided other applicable eligibility requirements are met (i.e., citizenship, etc.). Potential buyers can contact the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) for information concerning their qualification for U.S. Certificate of Documentation and/or a fisheries endorsement. The NVDC can be reached at (800) 799-8362. Potential buyers with questions regarding the vessel's eligibility for participating in Alaska fisheries should also contact the licensing offices of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and of NOAA Fisheries.
NOAA Fisheries conducts scientific research and provides services and products to support domestic and international fisheries management, fisheries development, trade and industry assistance, enforcement, and protected species and habitat conservation programs.