Report cites open door in Arctic Rose sinking

SEATTLE — A door tied open on the stern deck is the most likely cause of the sinking of the Arctic Rose with all hands, the most deadly U.S. fishing boat accident in half a century, a naval architect and investigator has written.

A wave as low as 10 feet would have sent water pouring into the interior of the 92-foot Arctic Rose, which sank with the loss of all 15 people aboard, wrote Lt. George Borlase, a stability expert at the Coast Guard Marine Safety Center in Washington, D.C.

Investigators believe the catcher-processor, based in Seattle and owned by Arctic Sole Seafoods Inc. of Lynnwood, capsized about 3:30 a.m. on April 2, 2001, in less than two minutes after the flooding began, then sank four to eight minutes later.

The ship had been trawling for sole about 200 miles west of St. Paul Island in the Bering Sea.

No mayday was heard and only one body, that of the skipper, David E. Rundall, 34, was recovered. Four of those who were lost were from Coatepec, Mexico.

It was the worst loss of life from a fishing vessel in Alaskan waters since 32 crew members died when a Japanese trawler capsized in 1982.

Out of 19 scenarios that were considered, based on testimony and evidence presented in more than two weeks of Coast Guard hearings, the open door is the "most likely," Borlase wrote in Marine Technology, the journal of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, adding that the opinions were his own and not necessarily those of other investigators in the Arctic Rose case.

Owner Dave Olney, who continues to fish in the Bering Sea aboard another company vessel, the Alaskan Rose, said Monday he had not read the article and would not comment on Borlase’s findings.

"We really don’t know what happened," said Olney, who lost his brother in the accident. "I’m not going to say that’s what it was or anything else."

Former Arctic rose crew members testified in the hearings that the door was routinely tied open, and video images of the wreckage taken by a remote-controlled submarine indicated the door was open.

"That would explain a lot," said Kari Rundall, the skipper’s widow. "It had to have been something that happened really fast and was totally unexpected."

A Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation is expected to release its findings by the end of the year.

Copyright ©2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Fosse will not seek reelection; 2 candidates set to run for her seat

Mason Rutledge and Sam Hem announced this week they will seek the District 1 City Council position.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police arrest two males in shooting at Swift bus

Man, 19, is booked for investigation of attempted murder. 17-year-old held at Denney Juvenile Justice Center on similar charges.

K-POP Empire store owners Todd Dickinson and Ricky Steinlars at their new store location on Thursday, April 17, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood K-pop store wary of new tariffs

Much of the store’s merchandise, which arrives from China and South Korea, is facing new import fees.

Fire department crews rescue climber after 100-foot fall near Index

The climber was flown to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett with non-life-threatening injuries.

Janet Garcia walks into the courtroom for her arraignment at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Monday, April 22, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett mother found competent to stand trial in stabbing death of 4-year-old son

A year after her arraignment, Janet Garcia appeared in court Wednesday for a competency hearing in the death of her son, Ariel Garcia.

Everett council member to retire at end of term

Liz Vogeli’s retirement from the council opens up the race in the November election for Everett’s District 4 seat.

Washington State Department of Commerce Director Joe Nguyễn speaks during the Economic Alliance Snohomish County’s Annual Meeting and Awards events on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tulalip, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Commerce boss: How Washington state can make it easier for small businesses

Joe Nguyen made the remarks Wednesday during the annual meeting of the Economic Alliance Snohomish County and the Snohomish County Awards

Snohomish County Superior Courthouse in Everett, Washington on February 8, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Snohomish County, 7 local governments across US, sue Trump administration

The lawsuit alleges the administration put unlawful conditions on funding that includes $17M to the county for homelessness assistance.

Photo courtesy of Tulalip Resort Casino
The creamy chicken verde enchiladas at World Flavors, located in The Kitchen at Quil Ceda Creek Casino.
A dish to celebrate Cinco de Mayo

The creamy chicken verde enchiladas at World Flavors, located in The Kitchen at Quil Ceda Creek Casino, are a tasty treat year round.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Monroe in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Former Monroe teacher arrested again as new sexual abuse allegations surface

Police made the arrest this week after investigating the testimony of a former student who has moved out of state.

A couple walks around Harborview Park as the  Seaspan Brilliance, a 1,105-foot cargo ship, moors near the Port of Everett on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 in Everett, Washington.  The ship is moored until it can offload its cargo in Vancouver, B.C. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
WA ports await sharp drop in cargo as Trump’s tariff battle with China drags on

Shippers trying to get ahead of the import taxes drove a recent surge, officials say.

Everett Music Initiative announces Music at the Marina lineup

The summer concert series will take place each Thursday, July 10 to Aug. 28 at the Port of Everett.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.