Starrigavan Update

Hello Fishies!

From various news sources:

The 23-year-old skipper of the fishing boat that wrecked on the Tillamook Bay jetty was arrested a month ago aboard the 58-foot vessel for allegedly boating under the influence of alcohol, authorities confirmed. Kirk Opheim of Burlington, Wash., also was cited at the time by the U.S. Coast Guard for numerous safety violations.

The boat crashed on the jetty's south arm after waves rolled it three times as it tried to return to the Port of Garibaldi with a 5,000-pound load of crab.

In December, Opheim was arrested after an anonymous call to police that he was drinking and piloting the Starrigavan, said Oregon State Police spokesman Gregg Hastings. An officer found the boat tied up Dec. 23 at a dock at the Port of Newport with no one on board. About 7 that night, Opheim approached the Starrigavan and identified himself, Hastings said.

The officer noticed the smell of alcohol on Opheim's breath and physical signs of intoxication and arrested him, Hastings said. His blood-alcohol content registered .13 percent, according to the state police citation. A level of .08 percent is considered intoxicated under Oregon law.

That same evening, the Coast Guard inspected the Starrigavan and found numerous safety violations, according to an agency news release. Coast Guard officials wouldn't comment further because the case is still under investigation.

Opheim has arrests in Washington stretching back to 2000, including allegations of burglary, theft and fourth-degree assault.

The Coast Guard and the Tillamook County Sheriff's Office are investigating the wreck and awaiting the results of toxicology tests given to Opheim that night.

"There were some misjudgments made," Johnson said from his hospital bed shortly after the wreck. He declined further comment, saying investigators asked him not to discuss the case.

The Starrigavan is owned by Fire Island Fishery Corp. in Kirkland, Wash., according to the Coast Guard. Calls to the office weren't returned. The company would be responsible for removing it, Coast Guard officials said, but that may not be possible if the boat continues sinking.

Stay tuned!

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